(7/11/12) Over 400 U-W Madison students will learn more about Indian culture, when they move into a new dormitory next month.
The DeJope Residence Hall opens August 26th near the shores of Lake Mendota. DeJope means “four lakes” in the Ho-Chunk’s tribal language. That’s a reference to Madison’s four lakes – Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. The Ho-Chunk and other tribes once lived on the land near those lakes. The dorm’s new name was chosen after the university consulted with Ho-Chunk members. It has a number of features that recognize tribal culture – including a fire circle that faces Lake Mendota, and bronze plaques that recognize Wisconsin’s 11 Indian tribes.
