Celebrate Native Nations with the Teejop & Beyond Program at Madison Public Library Beginning October 20

MADISON, WI – Teejop & Beyond: Celebrating Native Nations, is returning to Madison Public Library this fall. The program is hosted in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and highlights both traditional and contemporary practices, stories, and community relationships.  

This year, eight presenters representing different Native tribes will lead programs from October through December with a focus on Native art, making and handicrafts. Program participants will have the opportunity to try hands-on crafts like beading, collage, and basket-weaving and understand how techniques and approaches vary depending on the tribal traditions guiding them.  

“The focus on Native art came about naturally,” said Neeyati Shah, the Community Engagement Librarian who has facilitated the program for the past three years. “The community has appreciated past opportunities to interact with presenters in small group settings, as well as the history and cultural insights they gain while learning about the significance of beading or basketmaking to different Native traditions.” 

Presenters for the series represent the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oglala Sioux, and Oneida nations:  

MEET THE PRESENTERS:  

• Kimberly Crowley [Ho-Chunk Nation - Thunder Clan] 

• Charlotte Easterling [Enrolled Member of the Ogalala Sioux Tribe and Ojibwe by descent] 

• Sherman Funmaker [Ho-Chunk Nation - Bear Clan Elder] 

• Jennifer J. Jordan [Enrolled Member of the Oneida Nation] 

• Tonia Lowe [Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk)]
• Yvette Peguero [Menominee Tribe Elder] and daughter Adriana Peguero [Menominee]

• Melanie Tallmadge Sainz [Enrolled Member of the Ho-Chunk Nation] 

Read full bios online at madpl.org/teejopandbeyond. 

Teejop and Beyond attendees have enjoyed the chance to connect with presenters, as well as other community members during past events.  

“This experience was beautiful, inclusive, and heart-warming,” said one attendee of the 2024 programs. 

The series kicks off each year shortly after Indigenous People’s Day and continues through mid-December. Most events require registration, and registration doesn’t open until two weeks prior to each event date.  

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

• Growing Up Native in Wisconsin: Storytelling and Writing Workshop - October 20, 5:45-7:45pm | Meadowridge Library 

• Layers of Nature: Learn to Make Collage Animals*- Oct 23, 5:30-7:30pm | Lakeview Library 

• Let’s Make A Friendship Bracelet* - Nov 4, 2-4pm |Pinney Library 

• Past/Present/Future: The Artistic Legacy of Truman Lowe* - Nov 12, 7-8pm | >>>VIRTUAL<<<

• Making Communal Black Ash Baskets*- Nov 22, 1-2:30pm | Hawthorne Library 

• Making Communal Black Ash Baskets* - Dec 6, 1-2:30pm | Alicia Ashman Library 

• Layers of Nature: Learn to Make Collage Animals* - Dec 6, 1-3pm | Goodman South Madison Library 

• Beaded Earrings* – Dec 13, TBD | Hawthorne Library 

Programs marked with an (*) require registration.  

Learn more about the Teejop & Beyond series, read presenter bios, access an accompanying book list, and sign up for programs online at madpl.org/teejopandbeyond. 

This program series is made possible thanks to support from the Friends of Madison Public Library. 

About Madison Public Library 

With more than 1.3 million annual visitors across nine library locations each year, Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for 150 years. Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org and @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.