Poems, essays, and photos reveal the life, art, and inspirations of a Ho-Chunk elder.

“For me, writing is a form of therapy. I write thoughts down and send them out to the universe. I miss the ones I loved, and when I write about them it feels good to put these stories onto paper. It allows me to visit them when I need to.”

Sherman Funmaker—poet and musician, designer and teacher, son and brother—shares his life story in his intensely personal debut, Bear Tracks: Memories of a Ho-Chunk Elder. In this collection of poems and short essays, Funmaker explores themes of childhood and familial ties, finding and leaving home, coming of age, experiencing love and loss, creating art, and seeking belonging.

A Ho-Chunk Nation Bear Clan elder and grandson of renowned Ho-Chunk storyteller Xéhachiwinga (Mountain Wolf Woman), Funmaker illuminates how his Ho-Chunk culture has had a lasting impact on his life, self-expression, and point of view. With emotional depth and clarity, Bear Tracks confronts hard topics, such as poverty, racism, and personal loss, leavening them with optimism and a wry sense of humor.

Family photos from across generations accompany Funmaker’s reflections on the people and places that have shaped his life and art. Bear Tracks concludes with a reader’s guide offering additional topics for discussion and reflection.

With a voice both distinct and entirely relatable, Funmaker creates space for readers to find resilience and hope for the future while reckoning with the struggles of their past.