Seed by Seed Learning Guide

Secondary Sources and Discussion Questions

Artists bring Ho-Chunk beadwork, imagery to giant banners on Bascom Hall (news.wisc.edu)

This article captures the unveiling ceremony held for the Seed by Seed banners on Bascom Hill on November 7, 2023.

Land and Water Discussion Questions

1. How might initiatives like the 175th Anniversary Seed by Seed Bascom Hall banner project contribute to preserving Ho-Chunk cultural heritage and promoting greater awareness of Indigenous land rights and histories?
2. How do artistic forms like the 175th Anniversary Seed by Seed Bascom Hall banners contribute to the representation and celebration of Teejop’s significance?
3. What unique insights do the banners provide into the cultural and spiritual connection between the Ho-Chunk people and their ancestral land?
4. How does learning about Teejop and the Ho-Chunk people’s ties to this land encourage empathy and a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives on place and belonging?
5. What actions or steps can individuals and communities take to support efforts to honor and protect Teejop and similar ancestral lands?

Ho-Chunk Nation, UW hold banner celebration at Bascom Hall – The Badger Herald

This article tells the story of the banners’ design process and the intentions behind the imagery and symbols depicted.

Storytelling and Art as Text Discussion Questions

1. How are stories transmitted through the banners? 
2. Seed by Seed represents the beadwork within the banner, but it also can be a metaphor for something larger.  What do you think it represents? 
3. How do the artists utilize visual elements to tell a story or convey information about Ho-Chunk culture and history?
4. How does learning about Ho-Chunk art and symbols influence your understanding of Native American cultures and their contributions to art and symbolism globally?
5. What artistic techniques are used in the creation of these banners? How do these techniques contribute to the overall message or significance of the art?

Seed by Seed | | UW–Madison (news.wisc.edu)

This article provides an interactive and visually compelling narrative of the care and community it took to create the banners and the importance of building relationships in collaborative projects.

Generative Relationships and Collaborations Discussion Questions

1. Before beginning work on designing the University of Wisconsin 175th Seed by Seed Bascom Hall banners, Molli Pauliot and Marianne Fairbanks spent time building a relationship through talking about their mutual love for basketry, textiles and beadwork. What does a good relationship mean to you?
2. How has studying or observing this collaborative process among artists and individuals from varying backgrounds influenced your view of creativity and teamwork?  What lessons or insights can be applied to other areas of life or work where collaboration is important?
3. How can collaborative projects honor and respect the contributions and perspectives of all participants?
4. What does collaboration mean to you in the context of artistic or creative endeavors?  How can collaboration enrich the final outcome compared to individual efforts?
5. How does diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, and skills contribute to the success of collaborative projects?