Madison musician connects with his heritage and father by archiving Ho-Chunk recordings

Published: March 9, 2022, 11 a.m.

Clint Greendeer, a Madison-based musician and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, was given an old box of cassette tapes belonging to Greendeer’s late father, Conroy Greendeer, Sr. The content of the tapes ranged from powwow songs to ceremonial songs, as well as Ho-Chunk language lessons, mostly recorded by Greendeer Sr. Many of the tapes were deteriorating, so Greendeer’s family suggested that someone should preserve the recordings. So, Greendeer decided to take on the task of restoring, digitizing, and archiving the songs.