Each fall, Madison Public Library and Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison welcome a variety of Native artists, storytellers, and community leaders for a series of programs celebrating Indigenous people in and beyond Teejop (pronounced day-JOPE, meaning Four Lakes, or Madison). Beginning on Indigenous Peoples' Day each year, Native folks from different nations lead programs highlighting both traditional and contemporary practices, stories, and community relationships.
Now accepting applications for Teejop and Beyond 2024!
We invite program ideas from any Native person living in Wisconsin, whether their homelands are in the Great Lakes region or elsewhere in the world. In the past, this series has included art workshops, youth storytimes, in-person or virtual presentations, outdoor guided activities, and more. We welcome any ideas that offer opportunities for participants to learn and connect with you and with each other.
The content is up to you, but here are some places to start:
- Creation or origin stories
- Cultural celebrations and seasonal customs
- Food, herbs, and crops
- Skills, arts, and crafts
- History: removals, returns, important figures, other topics
- Indigenous peoples in community or government
- Relationships between different nations, or collective efforts towards decolonization
Programs for this series will take place October-December, 2024
If you have questions before applying, please contact community@madisonpubliclibrary.org
Significance and History of the Program
Based on Vancouver Public Library’s Indigenous Storyteller in Residence program, the intention of this residency is to promote intercultural understanding and story sharing. In light of both the COVID-19 pandemic and movements for racial justice, it was also an opportunity to make space for healing and connection.
Excerpt from UW-Madison's Department of Tribal Relations website on Teejop (Dejope): Significance and History:
"The Ho-Chunk have called Teejop (pronounced Day-JOPE [J as in Jump]) and the shores of Waaksikhomikra (Where the Person Rests) home for time immemorial. In Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk language), Teejop translates as “Four Lakes”, named after the deep lakes that define the landscape and that provide a high quality of life for all living beings (plant and animal) in between the periodic ice ages that covered Teejop in a mile-thick sheet of ice."
Previous Presenters and Programs
Previous Teejop & Beyond Years
In 2023, nine presenters representing different Native tribes in Wisconsin led 15 programs from October - December on a wide range of topics, including art, the climate crisis, identity, mental health, growing up Native in Wisconsin, food and much more.
Learn more about the presenters and their programs.
Ho-Chunk Through Story with Andi Cloud
In fall of 2021, Madison Public Library welcomed Ho-Chunk Nation storyteller and tribal member AJ (Andi) Cloud for a variety of interactive storytelling and creative learning opportunities. The programs kicked off on Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 11, 2021. They included art workshops, activity kits, outdoor story walks, digital stories, exhibits, and more all across the city focusing on topics like Ho-Chunk history and culture, the fall harvest, veterans and Veteran's Day, beadwork, black ash basket making, and growing up Ho-Chunk in the 20th Century.
Following Andi's wonderful residency, the Library expanded the program into what we now call Teejop & Beyond.
Learn more about Ho-Chunk Through Story: The Origin, The Wayz, and The Life.
Additional Resources
Native American Heritage Month Book List 2022
Native American Heritage Month Book List 2023 [DOWNLOAD]
Native American and Indigenous Fiction
Native American and Indigenous History & Culture; with Memoirs, Essays and Poetry
Native American and Indigenous Children's Books
Native American and Indigenous Experience for Middle Grades and YA
Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums [DOWNLOAD] compiled by Cassy Leeport for Lunch for Libraries 2024
Indigenous Artist & Presenter Guide [DOWNLOAD]
Upcoming Events
There are no scheduled events at this time.
Pitch A Program
If you're interested in applying, but unable to do a program during the timeframe listed above, we welcome ideas year-round for Native presenters to host programs at the library.
We invite program ideas from any Native person living in Wisconsin, whether their homelands are in the Great Lakes region or elsewhere in the world. What kinds of stories, art, and knowledge would you like to share with the communities of Teejop/Madison? The content is up to you, but here are some places to start:
- Creation stories
- Cultural celebrations and seasonal customs
- Food, herbs, and crops
- Skills and crafts
- History: removals, returns, important figures, other topics
- Indigenous peoples in community or government
- Relationships between different nations, or collective efforts towards decolonization
