Cultural Enrichment at Reedsburg Campus

Madison College students share diverse perspectives and experiences with one another in class, providing a depth and breadth of education beyond course objectives. A recent case in point was Joseph White Eagle’s demonstration speech at the Reedsburg campus, in which he showed fellow students how to erect a tepee. After clearly illustrating the steps with a series of projected images, White Eagle explained that, for the Ho-Chunk people these days, a tepee is used as a church. The entrance is designed so that one must stoop to enter, thus humbling oneself. After a night of prayer, one greets the sunrise through the tepee’s east-facing entrance.

After Joseph’s speech, the class went outside for a break. There, in front of the building, stood a twenty-six foot tepee, erected earlier by White Eagle and his family, with the help of several classmates. White Eagle demonstrated the proper positioning of smoke flaps, depending on wind direction, and pointed out elements of the tepee’s construction that have spiritual significance. For example, his tepee uses thirteen poles to symbolize Jesus and His twelve Apostles. Joseph invited his classmates inside the tepee for stories with a Native American theme, and then the class posed for a group photo.

Drawing upon their varied backgrounds, Joseph White Eagle and his peers in that speech class delivered presentations that enriched their cultural awareness while also honing communication skills.