Dejope Hall History Culture Info Sheet

Dejope Residence Hall http://www.housing.wisc.edu/dejope

Fulfilling a goal of University Housing to offer a place to live for all incoming freshman, this residence hall has become something much more. It was named “Dejope”, meaning “Four Lakes” in the Ho-Chunk language. Since the Ho-Chunk and other American Indians have lived in this area for thousands of years, one of the goals for students and people using the facility is to recognize the long history of American Indians living here and also to focus on their future. The building was dedicated on August 22nd, 2012.

Inside, embedded into the terrazzo flooring are images of four campus mound groups that were created by the Ho-Chunk over 3,000 years ago.

A fire circle was constructed in consultation with tribal members from the eleven American Indian Nations in Wisconsin, including the Ho-Chunk Nation and American Indian staff on campus. With their permission, sitting stones around the fire circle feature bronze plaques representing the eleven Indian Nations in Wisconsin. In November 2012, Ho-Chunk members donated a white oak tree considered important to their tribe. It was planted near the fire circle and a drum group performed at the event for tribal members, students, and guests.

In February 2013, a Ho-Chunk member wrote in an e-mail to University Housing: “I and another stopped in to your part of the world this past Saturday and utilized your fire ring and white oak as traditional property. We are so happy to have reestablished such a cultural site within an educational system acceptable for all.”

A UW-Madison freshman from the Menominee Tribe was quoted in the Menominee Nation News in an article about Dejope Residence Hall on October 8, 2012: “I saw a map that has all of Wisconsin’s tribes there…It was really cool to have our tribe recognized in the city…It’s really cool to see Native American representation. It felt like a piece of home.”

In the same article, a UW-Madison junior from the Bad River Band of Ojibwe stated: “I think the building will hold true to it’s purpose overall. It’s nice to know that some people still keep our Native people in mind.”

On Saturday, April 13, 2013, the UW-Madison student organization Wunk Sheek hosted their 30th annual pow wow at Dejope Residence Hall. It was a huge success with more than 500 people attending during the day and evening.

American Indian artwork is also displayed throughout the building and includes a blanket designed by Ho-Chunk artist and UW-Madison Emeritus Professor Truman Lowe, and a dream catcher and Ho-Chunk applique designed by Ho-Chunk artist Pamela Whitehorse.

In addition, a glass/metal fused image of the four lakes is located in the east hallway and a large meeting room is adorned with a wall size, back lit, Plexiglas image of Lake Mendota, showing the depths of the lake.

University Housing has also been asked to work with a number of campus tribal members to assist in the Society of American Indians’ centennial conference, to be held on campus in October 2014. Activities that are being planned for hosting at Dejope include meals, breakout sessions, and use of the fire circle.