Ho-Chunk Nation Plaza crowned at Camp Randall Stadium at UW-Madison
By Ken Luchterhand
A sign at Camp Randall Stadium is symbolic of a new partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Ho-Chunk members and government officials and university officials gathered on Friday, September 9, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the naming of the gate and plaza.
“This is our homeland, a very sacred place where this city of Madison sits,” said Ho-Chunk Nation President Wilfrid Cleveland during the ceremony. “We have a lot of sacred lands in this area here. It’s good that we can make a partnership such as this, going into our future for the sake of our future generations that good things like this will continue to happen.”
The partnership is for the naming rights to the gate near gate 5, but officials say they hope it leads to something more throughout Wisconsin.
“Like the University of Wisconsin, the Ho Chunk nation has been an integral part of our community and the state of Wisconsin,” said UW-Madison Athletic Director Barry Alvarez.
“We believe this relationship will offers opportunities to partner with Ho Chunk on initiatives and projects that are both meaningful and will have an impact on the University, the tribal nation and the state of Wisconsin. The thousands of people who enter historic Camp Randall Stadium each season to support the Badgers will enter through this gate under the Ho Chunk Nation name recognizing the tribe’s special place in history,” Alvarez said.
The sign is along Breese Terrace near the north practice field.
“This is a unique situation. Only one other gate has ever been named and that doesn’t have a plaza,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde of University of Wisconsin - Madison.
“Camp Randall is a historical setting, having tens of thousands of people passing through those gates,” Van De Velde said. “It’s a fitting setting for the history and culture of the Ho-Chunk people.”
Beyond the naming opportunity, the money provided by the Ho-Chunk Nation will have some designation to promote inclusion and diversity on campus of Native Americans and has the opportunity to sponsor a forum for them.
To make all this possible, the Ho-Chunk Nation will be providing a gift of a total of $2 million over five years. The Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature paid for the sponsorship.
The dedicated gate and plaza will provide an opportunity for the Ho-Chunk Nation to conduct events at the site. One such talked-about event is an annual powwow inside the stadium, Van De Velde said.
Although the Ho-Chunk Nation has had an ongoing relationship with the university for many years, the possibility of naming the Ho-Chunk Plaza has been in the works for about six months, he said.
“Like the University of Wisconsin, the Ho-Chunk Nation has been an integral part of the community. Our new partnership strengthens the decades-long relationship we’ve had with the University and offers access along with opportunities to engage and partner on initiatives and projects that are meaningful to the University and the Nation,” said Collin Price, Office of the President public relations specialist. “Together, we will host diversity and inclusion forums to educate student athletes on the important and rich culture of Madison’s first inhabitants, Ho-Chunks or ‘People of the Big Voice,’” Price said. “Another pillar of the partnership is its focus on the youth. Collaborating on existing youth initiatives and creating new ones will be impactful for the youth and their families.”
Highlights of the designation include:
• Ho-Chunk Nation Plaza
• Showcasing Ho-Chunk culture at Badgers events
• Powwow at Camp Randall
• Diversity and Inclusion Forums
• Bringing youth initiatives to tribal communities
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