Preparing for Winter
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.
Next Ho-Chunk Cultural Artists Workshop:
Quilt Workshop with Heather Cloud
Join us from 10am to 3pm on March 4th at the Indigenous Student Center (215 North Brooks Street) to learn the basics of making a star quilt pillow with Ho-Chunk artist Heather Cloud.
Heather will assist you every step of the way in developing your sewing skills. Materials and fabric will be provided (first 20 participants guaranteed), and sewing machines will be available.
Contact Molli Pauliot (pauliot@wisc.edu) with any questions you may have.
Building a ciiporoke
November 3, 2022
This first learning opportunity allowed students to assist Bill Quackenbush in building a ciiporoke teaches the difficulty of constructing a large object: intertwining of saplings and binding them together, then finally covering them with a modern-day tarp to shield them from the elements. The structure will be up for the month of November.
Making black ash baskets
November 3, 2022
After construction, 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.
Sewing mittens
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.
Ho-Chunk Cultural Artist
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.
November 17th Workshop
Here is an example of the fleece gauntlet-style mittens made at the "Sewing Mittens" workshop on Thursday, November 17th, 2022.
Spring Ho-Chunk Cultural Artists Workshops
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