Ho-Chunk Cultural Artists Workshop Series
As you walk through Teejop, you may ask yourself, How did the Ho-Chunk survive the seasons in the region, the hot humid summers, or brutally cold winters? Let’s delve deeper into Ho-Chunk Indigenous ways of being and what that means as the seasons pass. Seasonal work continues and is shared by everyone in the community playing their part in preparation for the next season. Traditional artists perpetuate Ho-Chunk’s material culture. Their teachings assist in learning the first steps in preparing seasonal tasks. Ho-Chunk ways of being and existing in the region are alive today and started in the fall with the construction of a ciiporoke. Ho-Chunk traditional artists will explain to you that one task leads to another, and the work is more complex than these simple lessons. In this workshop series, students and faculty will get a glimpse into the world and knowledge the Ho-Chunk hold dear to them in caring for their homelands.
Ho-Chunk Gardening Workshop with Lightning New Rider
April 14th, 2023
Ho-Chunk Nation Bear Clan member and horticulturist Lightning New Rider shared his expertise in soil preparation, seed germination, and planting techniques.
Participants were provided a small garden bed, vegetables, and herbs to take home.
Quilt Workshop with Heather Cloud
March 4, 2023
Ho-Chunk artist Heather Cloud shared the basics of making a star quilt pillow with workshop participants from 10am to 3pm on March 4th at the Indigenous Student Center (215 North Brooks Street).
Sewing Mittens Workshop
November 17, 2022
Winter in DeJope requires additional protection from the elements. Ho-Chunks would make seasonal clothing from animal hides lined with furs, along with snowshoes to travel. Ho-Chunk artist Heather Cloud, known for her work as a seamstress, taught students and faculty how to make a fleece variation of gauntlet-style mittens. This style of mitten covers your wrist and the end of your coat to prevent wind and snow from contacting your skin.
Making Black Ash Baskets
November 3, 2022
After construction of the ciiporoke, Ho-Chunk basket artist Kimberly Crowley continued the lesson by teaching students and faculty to weave a basket using similar yet complex methods of weaving and binding the small basket together.
Building a Ciiporoke
November 3, 2022
In this first learning opportunity, students assisted Bill Quackenbush in building a ciiporoke. As they intertwined saplings, bound them together, and finally covered them with a modern-day tarp to shield them from the elements, students learned the difficulty of constructing a large object.
Ho-Chunk Cultural Artist — Heather Cloud
Heather Cloud is a Thunder Clan member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Baraboo, WI. She began sewing and beading at a very young age as she was taught by her paternal grandmother. Heather enjoys perpetuating her culture by sharing with the younger generation. She actively supports, encourages, and enjoys mentoring others to ensure these traditional works continue to flourish for future generations.
Ho-Chunk Cultural Artist — Lightning New Rider
Lightning New Rider is a Ho-Chunk Nation Bear Clan member motivated to care for his community through Ho-Chunk traditional foods. Lightning is the Garden Coordinator for Wild Bearies in Wisconsin Dells and the Little Eagle Art Foundation L.E.A.F. consultant at Mąą Wakącąk. Lightning attended college at Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he obtained a degree in Horticulture with greenhouse management, germinating and propagating healthy plants and shrubs, and exterior landscaping. While enjoying designing landscapes, Lightning’s interest grew to include Ho-Chunk lifeways in caring for the earth with traditional garden management. In learning from his family and community, Lightning is sought after for his garden management and expertise in growing Ho-Chunk foods.
Spring Ho-Chunk Cultural Artists Workshops
Friday, April 14, 2023:
- Ho-Chunk Gardening with Lightning New Rider
Saturday, March 4, 2023:
- Quilt workshop with Ho-Chunk artist Heather Cloud
Fall Preparing for Winter
Thursday, November 3, 2022:
- Building a ciipodoke outside DeJope Hall
- Black Ash Basket making with Ho-Chunk artist Kimberly Crowley
- Food preparation, corn processing, and braiding by Dan Cornelius
Thursday, November 17, 2022:
- Protection from the winter elements gauntlet gloves made by Ho-Chunk artist Heather Cloud