Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Tribal code
Ask Donna
What actually matters in this document.
Text
Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Wažoki Cēnixa Honį Morel Mushroom Contest!
March 2026 WTN
Employee of the Month!
page: 7
Volume 55, Number 8
Our masthead scene for this edition of
the Winnebago Indian News features the
ladies participating in the swan dance
during the 156th Annual Winnebago
Homecoming Celebration Powwow which
was from July 26th through July 31st,
2022.
page: 6
Hō hirogįnįną wī
Fish Appearing Moon
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Bridging Culture and Connection: Winnebago Community Night
Nį̄ šoc Nįgešąną
By Bethani Redhorn
Photography by Jerry L Mennenga
March 27th, the WTN Environmental
Protection Department worked
with JEO Consulting Group for a
Bathymetric (depth) survey of the
Kelly Projects pond. With this data,
steps are being taken to restore the
Kelly pond, natural resources, and
surrounding environment.
April 14 , HoChunk Renaissance
started their Hocak Language
Workshop. WTN tribal department
employees who signed up learned
simple conversational phrases,
orthography, greetings and
leavetakings. An end-goal is to
introduce themselves in HoChunk.
th
[Winnebago, NE] The recent
collaboration between Ho-Chunk,
Incorporated and the Sioux City Bandits
was more than just a game; it was a
powerful display of cultural exchange
and community pride. What started as a
lifelong passion for one tribal member, has
now grown into a four-year partnership
that brings the spirit of the Ho-Chunk
people to the professional arena.
From just a fan to facilitating the entire
event, Caden Cleveland’s connection
to the Bandits is personal. A member of
the Buffalo Clan, his Ho-Chunk name
is Hakja Mani, which means “Walks
Behind.” He is the son of Craig Cleveland
Sr. and LeeAnn Acoya Cleveland, and
shares a daughter named Aurelia with his
companion Destiny Grant. What began as
childhood trips to the arena with his jaji
(father), has continued to blossom into a
significant cultural collaboration between
the Winnebago Community and the Sioux
City Bandits.
His journey with the Bandits started in
2012 as a dedicated fan. “I was always a
Musketeers, and obviously, the Sioux
City Bandits.” Shared by Caden during a
special guest appearance on the Big Voice
Radio for Winnebago Talks.
Players like Sterling Clark, Tony
Kennedy, William Rollins, Monalo
Caldwell, and Dajon Emory joined him
for the special guest appearance. An
important part of the partnership is the
community engagement and the mentioned
players joined Caden for a presentation
at Winnebago Public School, where the
youth got a chance to speak to the players
and hear about their athletic and academic
journeys. They also visited with the elders
at the Winnebago Senior Citizen Center
and helped disperse the meals for lunch
that day.
The Winnebago Community Night event
has seen steady growth since its inception,
starting with 200 attendees in its first year
and reaching a consistent crowd of over
300 tribal members this year. “The dancers
themselves were about 30 plus, and with
their parents, that equals out to about
100 people right there,” Caden noted,
highlighting the significant community
turnout. To track participation, he utilized
color-coded vouchers for employees,
Child Abuse Awareness Month in April
By Bethani Redhorn
Photography by Human Services
April 12th, WTN’s Higher Education
Program worked with Winnebago
Public School and local entities for
the Summer Youth Employment
Programs Job Fair. This gives students
experience of job interviews, different
opportunities, and encouragement for
work ethics.
Sioux City Bandits fan,” Caden shared.
“My dad would always take me to the
games since 2012.” Years later, while
pursuing his education at Wayne State
College, he chose to center his 2023
internship around the team he grew up
cheering for. This move wasn’t just about
professional development; it was about
community impact. During his internship,
a conversation with Bandits President
Brett Funk sparked the idea of a formal
partnership. From there, Caden reached
out to his brother, Cory Cleveland, and
Willy Bass, who helped coordinate
the leadership approvals and planning.
Today, he continues to spearhead this
effort through his role in the Community
Engagement department at Ho-Chunk, Inc.
“The idea around it is to bring in the
Winnebago culture, like the singing and
dancing, into the Siouxland area. And then,
reverse is bringing in the indoor football
arena into the Winnebago culture. My
biggest vision was to try and bring in all
these professional realms into Winnebago,
so that all our youth can see it and even
some of the ones that just graduated can
see that opportunity to go into that. Like,
the Sioux City Explorers, the Sioux City
[Winnebago, NE] April is National
Child Abuse Prevention Month, raising
awareness aabout child maltreatment
and promoting support, resources, and
education for families. On Thursday,
April 16, 2026, the Winnebago
community gathered at the Land of
Wellness (LOW) for the annual Child
Abuse Awareness Walk/Run, an event
dedicated to fostering hope and shifting
reaction to prevention. The event was
planned and coordinated by Mary
Petite, assisted by Jackie Littlegeorge,
Janelle White, Miracle Gomez, Maxine
Rice, Olivia Parker, Danna Grant,
Antonia Williams, and Lexi Mullet
from the Winnebago Tribe’s Human
Services department.
The event saw a significant turnout
this year with 224 participants, a
notable increase from the previous
year. Participants received a T-shirt
and lunch for walking 2 laps around
the Land of Wellness. A powerful
visual at the event was the display of
blue pinwheels. Introduced in 2008
by Prevent Child Abuse America, blue
pinwheels are the national symbol for
prevention of child abuse; it represents
the happy and healthy childhoods every
child deserves. A personal touch added
to this year’s event featured little blue
handprints on white pots, painted by
the little ones from the local daycare.
The customized pots were then used
to hold the pinwheels, symbolizing the
community’s hands-on commitment to
protecting its youth.
Antonia Williams (Caseworker) and
Danna Grant (Licensing and Support
Specialist) shared current statistics
regarding the state of foster care and
child welfare in locally, statewide, and
nationally. In the United States, there
are approximately 390,000 children in
the foster care system. In Nebraska,
there are over 4,000 children in foster
care. Currently in Winnebago, there
are 111 children involved in Child
and Family Services, 29 relative
placements, with 1 in 4 children
entering foster care under the age of
5. Another critical statistic is that 21
youth in Winnebago foster care will age
“Wanąjojąįsge kįąje. – Be humble.”
Page 2 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 25, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS
...Con't from front page: Bridging Culture and
Connection: Winnebago Community Night...
...Con't from front page: Child Abuse Awareness
Month in April...
community members, and students from
both local schools (Winnebago Public
School and St. Augustine’s).
This year’s event on Saturday, April 18,
2026, at the Tyson Event Center in Sioux
City, IA, was headlined by a halftime
performance featuring Winnebago youth
dancers, coordinated by Kristine Earth.
Winnebago Drum Group, New Breed,
rendered the flag song at the beginning
of the event and sang again during the
halftime performance. The halftime
performance was the result of weeks of
dedicated preparation and coordination.
Under the guidance of Kristine, the youth
dancers met regularly to practice their
routines. These practice sessions were
more than just rehearsals; they were spaces
where the youth could connect with their
culture and build the confidence needed to
perform in front of a large audience.
As the Bandits secured a thrilling
comeback win to put the cherry on top
out of the system in two years or less.
60% of children enter foster care due to
neglect, ranging from lack of safe and
adequate housing, substance use in the
home, or inability to meet basic needs.
The department’s goal through the
Preserving Native Families (PNF)
unit is to implement safety plans
that keep families together whenever
possible. Winnebago currently has 29
relative placements, but the need for
foster parents remains high. Notably,
21 youth are expected to age out of
the system within the next two years.
Within the department, there is a range
of programs such as Child & Family
Services, PNF Unit, Early Childhood,
Social Services, Support Services,
Elder Abuse Program, Title IV-B and
Independent Living, Family Support
and Licensing and Recruitment,
Employment, Education, and Financial
Assistance. The department currently
has two locations: 218 Industrial Rd, in
of the night, plans for next year are
already underway. Caden is planning to
expand the advertisements and hopes to
increase participation by the community.
While the youth often take center stage,
he emphasizes that the performance
is open to everyone, from adult age
groups to golden age. He encourages
any Winnebago community members
interested in participating in the next
Winnebago Community Night to keep an
eye out for any announcements that will be
shared on the Ho-Chunk, Inc. Community
Engagement Facebook page.
*Editor’s Note: The WIN would like
to extend a special thank you to Caden
for sharing the background story about
how the Winnebago Community Night
began and sharing his vision for the
collaboration. We must agree, it would
be amazing to see one of our very own
Winnebago tribal members become a
Sioux City Bandit, Explorer, or Musketeer.
Winnebago, NE; and 600 4th St, Suite
#502, in Sioux City, IA.
For May, which is National Foster
Care Month, the Winnebago Human
Services department has planned
several initiatives to recognize and
support foster families. A Foster
Care Appreciation event is scheduled
for May 14, 2026, to honor the
contributions of local foster parents.
The month serves as a focused
period for recruitment and education,
highlighting that while there are
currently 29 relative placements, more
licensed foster homes are needed to
support the children involved in foster
care.
Everyone is a mandatory reporter;
if you suspect abuse or neglect, you
can call the 24/7 anonymous hotline at
(800)652-1999. For more information
about programs in the Human Services
department, visit: /afgty5rfcww.
winnebagotribe.com/human-services/
Saturday, April 25 , 2026 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 3
Wāgax hųk ra wāgax hokik’ųna
Letter to the Editor
JESUS OUR SAVIOR
LUTHERAN OUTREACH
NOTICE OF MEETING OF
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
DISTRICT 17
WINNEBAGO, NEBRASKA
‘The Good Pastor’
A meeting of the Board of Education (the “Board”) of
Thurston County School District 0017 (Winnebago Public
Schools) in the State of Nebraska (the “District”) will be
held at 4:00 PM, on Monday, April 27th, 2026 in the regular
meeting place of the Board, the School Conference Room on
Highway 77 & 75 in the Village of Winnebago, Nebraska.
The board will conduct a hearing to determine whether to
cancel or continue the employment contract of Daniella
Gant and will take action on the matter. An agenda, kept
continuously current, is available for public inspection in
the offices of the District Superintendent, located at 202
Osbourne, during normal business hours.
Who is ‘the Good Pastor?’ The word
‘pastor’ is the Latin word for ‘shepherd.’
Put another way then who is ‘the Good
Shepherd?’
If you have ever read the Bible [the
book of books] - God’s Sacred Word - you
would learn that the tribe of Israel had a
vital tie between sheep and shepherds.
Abram [Exalted Father] was a shepherd.
Abram was chosen by God to be the father
of the faithful. His name was changed by
Creator God [YAHWEH in the Hebrew
language] to Abraham [Father of many
nations].
Jacob and his twelve sons were
shepherds. Jacob and his family settled
in Egypt away from the Egyptian people
because they were shepherds with their
smelly flocks.
Moses was also a shepherd, serving
his father-in-law when Creator God
[YAHWEH] appeared to him at the
burning bush. Creator God had the tribe of
Israel sacrifice a lamb so that the angel of
death would passover their houses, as they
applied blood on the door posts and lintels.
Each year the children of Israel were to
observe this Passover festival. They had a
need for sheep for the sacrifice and thereby
they needed shepherds.
Samuel went to Jesse in order to anoint
one of his sons as the second king of
Israel. Seven sons of Jesse were presented
and Samuel did not anoint any of them. He
asked Jesse if he had any more sons. Jesse
said ‘yes’ and that David, the youngest
son, was shepherding his flock.
David would go on to write many
psalms including Psalm 23. ‘The Lord
is my shepherd [Pastor] I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he
By: Pastor Ricky Jacob
restores my soul. He guides me in paths
of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even
though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for
you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.’ [Psalm 23:1-4 NIV].
When the children of Israel strayed
from their faith in Creator God a prophet
named Ezekiel recorded these words:
‘I myself will shepherd my flock, and I
myself will let them lie down, says the
Lord YAHWEH. The lost I will seek; the
expelled I will bring back; the injured I
will bind up; the weak I will strengthen;
the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will
shepherd them in justice’ [Ezekiel 34:1516 Hummel translation].
The one whom YAHWEH was referring
to was His son, Jesus. Jesus would go on
to proclaim these words: “I am the good
shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep
know me just as the Father knows me and
I know the Father and I lay down my life
for the sheep.” [John 10:11 NIV].
And so the answer to my earlier
question, ‘Who is ‘the Good Pastor?’, is
Jesus. To those who needed discipline
- Jesus would discipline. To those
who needed a shoulder to cry on - he
would draw up alongside and offer his
shoulder and a listening ear. To those
who needed healing - he would heal.
Jesus even had the power to bring back
the dead to life!
Now the God of peace, who brought
back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the
great Shepherd [Pastor] of the sheep,
with the blood of the eternal covenant,
equip you with every good thing, so
that you may do his will, working in
us what is well-pleasing in his sight
through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] the
glory forever and ever. Amen’ [Hebrews
12:21-22 John Kleinig translation].
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. CV26-104
Winnebago Indian
In the Matter of the
Name Change Petition of:
Mary J. Painter-McCauley to Mary J.
painter
To:
News
is owned and
ANY INTERESTED PARTIES
published by the
You are hereby notified that a petition
for Name Change has been filed and a
hearing concerning the above-referred
Individual in case no. CV26-104 has
been scheduled and will be heard in the
Winnebago Tribal Court of Winnebago,
Nebraska on the 28TH day of MAY, 2026 at
the hour of 11:30 A.M.
LEGAL NOTICE
Winnebago Tribe of
Nebraska”.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. JFJ26-016
The People of the Winnebago Tribe
In the Interest of:
T.W. (Born 01/2009)
Notice of Hearing
Case No. JFJ26-015
The People of the Winnebago Tribe
In the Interest of:
K.B. (Born 10/2017)
To: NATHAN WALKER, Father
ALL POTENTIAL FATHERS
You are hereby notified that a hearing
for an Initial Appearance concerning the
above referred minor individual(s) in case
no. JFJ26-016 has been scheduled and will
be heard in the Winnebago Tribal Court of
Winnebago, Nebraska on the 29th day of
APRIL, 2026 at the hour of 1:30 P.M.
To:
MARK CLEVELAND, Father
You are hereby notified that a hearing
for an Initial Appearance concerning the
above referred minor individual(s) in case
no. JFJ26-015 has been scheduled and will
be heard in the Winnebago Tribal Court
of Winnebago, Nebraska on the 6th day of
MAY, 2026 at the hour of 10:30 A.M.
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Request of proposal for Soft Skills Class Facilitator
1.
Background Information
The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska “Tribe” is announcing a request for
proposal for a graphic designer and class instructor for the Career and
Technical Education “CTE” project under the Education Department.
The CTE goal is that low-income, Native Americans in the Winnebago
Community will access and complete appropriate education and skill
building STEM-related education/career tracks necessary to obtain
credentials and quality employment within five (5) years.
The class facilitator will build a soft skills/job readiness
curriculum and instruct the classes to the current CTE students.
Bidder will meet with the CTE project staff bi-weekly to ensure
that the classes are going as planned and that the curriculum
meets the project topic requirements.
2.
Contents of Proposal
In its proposal, Bidder shall submit, at minimum, Bidder’s credentials
and qualifications, and a brief summary of any prior experiences which
makes Bidder qualified to perform the scope work requested.
Timeline
Bidder shall be submitted no later than 4:30pm CT Friday May 1,
2026, to LaTeasha Bass, CTE Project Director. Email: lateasha.bass@
winnebagotribe.com. Delivery: hand deliver to 201 Ho-Chunk Plaza,
Unit 8 in Winnebago, Nebraska.
The Tribe shall notify the successful bidder of acceptance of the bid
in writing. Prior to performing any services, the successful bidder and
the Tribe shall enter a contract for services, which will be negotiated
and finalized after the bid has been awarded.
The next issue of the WINNEBAGO INDIAN NEWS will be published on May 9, 2026.
——————————————————
The Mission of the WIN is to inform and to educate
the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska of issues that
affect them, and to be a vehicle in which stresses
positive and beneficial concerns and points of view.
LETTER POLICY: Signed editorials, letters and
articles appearing in the WIN are the responsibility
of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
opinion or attitude of the Winnebago Indian News
or the Winnebage Tribal Council.
The WIN encourages the submission of Letters to
the Editor; however, letters must be signed and
addressed. Letters may be edited for language
and length.
Postmaster Send Address Changes To
Winnebago Indian News
P.O. Box 687
Winnebago, Nebraska 68071
——————————————————
The Winnebago Indian News (WIN), founded ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The reproduction of
in January 1972, is published bi-weekly for the editorial or photography content without permission
is prohibited.
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
DEADLINE for this issue will be May 5, 2026.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send change of Advertising/News Deadline
address with old mailing label to:
12:00 Noon Monday Printing Week
Winnebago Tribal Council
Coly Brown.............................. Chairman
Periodicals Postage Paid
Isaac Smith...................... Vice Chairman
(Issn 1060-3026) At Winnebago, NE
Teresa Littlegeorge.................. Secretary
Rona Stealer........................... Treasurer
Winnebago
Indian
News
Staff
winnebagoindiannews@winnebagotribe.com
Phone: 402-878-2272
Bethani Redhorn.....................................Editor Victoria Kitcheyan...................... Member
Tyler Snake............................. Office Manager Ireta Frazier................................Member
“Official Newspaper of
Christina Parker...................Desktop Publisher Trey Blackhawk..........................Member
the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska”
Lorelei DeCora...........................Member
Yearly Subscription Rates
Nebraska Residents....................................$25.00 WTN Communications
Eugene DeCora..........................Member
Winnebago Indian News
P.O. Box 687
Winnebago, NE 68071
or contact us at our e-mail address:
Out-Of-State................................................$35.00
Overseas.....................................................$50.00
Advertising Rate
Per Column Inch............................................$7.00
Garan Coons.............................Comm. Officer
Gayla Whitewater..........Comm. Office Manger
Christina Parker.............................Web Master
Kevin Ebert..................Multimedia Coordinator
Page 4 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 25, 2026
TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING
March 18, 2026
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Coly Brown
Teresa Littlegeorge
Trey Blackhawk
Victoria Kitcheyan
Lorelei DeCora
Isaac Smith (in at 10:32 a.m.)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Danelle Smith
Joy Johnson
Brandon Stout
Brittany Thomas
Sharon Frenchman
Tom Teesdale
Kirstin Lowry
Sarah Herring
Anna Bess Preston
Tyresha Romero
Christina Parker
Joey Atler-Ruane
Kiana Lewis
Tiffany Buchanan
Larry Watts
Tyler Smith
Danielle Lazore-Thompson
Cecelia Earth
Todd Morman
Josh Pitre
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Ireta Frazier (travel)
Eugene DeCora (travel)
Rona Stealer (travel)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Brown
called to order at 9:12 a.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Council member
Victoria Kitcheyan offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve
the agenda with additions. Trey Blackhawk
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
BROADBAND FIBER PROJECT:
ACTION: Fiber-Optic Telecommunications
Easement – HCIMSC to WTN
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to adopt resolution #26-92: Approval of Fiber-Optic Telecommunications Easement Agreement with HCI
Management Services Company and Related
Subordination of Deed of Trust in Support of
the Winnebago Tribe Broadband Connectivity
Project. Trey Blackhawk seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Trey Blackhawk motioned to adopt resolution #26-93: Approval of Request to the Bureau
of Indian Affairs for a Biological Survey in
Support of the Winnebago Tribe Broadband
Connectivity Project. Victoria Kitcheyan seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Project update – Joy Johnson presented and
Brandon Stout.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Tribal Gaming –
WVCR GM -Job Descriptions
Trey Blackhawk motioned to enter executive session at 9:40 a.m. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to exit executive session at 10:15 a.m. Trey Blackhawk
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WinnaVegas HR Dept request: Director of
Database Marketing Position
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve the
WinnaVegas HR Dept. request for final approval of the Director Database Marketing position.
Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WinnaVegas Administration Department
request: update of the General Manager Job
Description.
Trey Blackhawk motioned to adopt resolution #26-94: Approval of Revisions to the Job
Description for the General Manager of the
WinnaVegas Casino Resort. Victoria Kitcheyan
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
IHS TITLE V FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT PROJECT AGREEMENT FOR WCHS
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adopt resolution #26-95: Approving Title V Construction
Project Agreement – Fuel Tank Replacement
Project No. GP25WI400H07. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WINNEBAGO STREETS REHABILITATION PROJECT FISCHER CDS APPLICATION: Presented by Brittany Thomas
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adopt resolution #26-96: Sen. Fischer FY2027 Appropriations Congressionally Directed Spending
- Transportation, and Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies, Highway
Infrastructure Projects: Winnebago Street Rehabilitation Project. Trey Blackhawk seconded
the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
BREAK: 10:27 a.m., reconvened at 10:33
a.m.
[Isaac in at 10:32 a.m.]
STATE ADVOCACY – LHM: Presented by
Joey Atler-Ruane
Lorelei DeCora motioned to direct General
Counsel to draft a letter to the Nebraska Commission Indian Affairs from Chairman Brown
explaining our priorities and requesting them to
advocate for those priorities. Victoria Kitcheyan seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
*Next Legislative Luncheon date is January
12, 2027.
[Trey out at 11:09 a.m.]
[Coly out at 11:10 a.m. Vice Chairman Smith
assumes chair]
Break: loss quorum; 11:12 a.m., reconvene
11:28 a.m.
[Coly in at 11:15 a.m., reassumes chair]
WINNEBAGO TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES: Presented by Danielle
Lazore-Thompson
Crisis Intervention Incidents
Body Worn Cameras
[Teresa out at 11:45 a.m., in at 11:48 a.m.]
Child and Dependent Adult Safety
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve
the Crisis Intervention Incidents, Body Worn
Cameras, and Child and Dependent Adult Safety Policies as presented. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
TRIBAL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT – SECRETARIAL ELECTION:
Lorelei DeCora motioned to adopt resolution
#26-97: Submitting Amendment Language and
Reaffirming Request for Secretarial Election.
Trey Blackhawk seconded the motion.
OBJECT: Isaac Smith
VOTE: (4) yes (1) no, IS (0) abstain
Chairman Votes: yes
FINAL VOTE: (5) yes
(1) no, IS (0)
abstain Motion carried.
PROPOSED LANGUAGE:
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 4. Limitation on Enrollment
Beginning on the date this amendment is
approved by the Secretary of Interior, no person
aged twenty-five (25) or older may apply for
enrollment with the Winnebago Tribe if that
person was previously enrolled in another
federally recognized Indian tribe.
TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
FUNDING FORMULA:
Meeting this Friday, March 20, 2026 in
Omaha, Nebraska.
[Isaac out at 12:11 p.m., in at 12:12 p.m]
WTN RADIO STATION UPDATE:
Lorelei DeCora motioned to adopt resolution
#26-98: Approving Independent Contractor
Agreement for Legal Services for the Sanchez
Law Firm P.C. for the WTN Radio Station.
Trey Blackhawk seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB NMTC PROJECT:
update only.
WINNEBAGO LAND TRANSFER ACT
IMPLEMENTATION: update only.
THURSTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS D AVE SUPPORT: Letter was
approved and submitted from Thurston County.
Grant application was submitted.
WINNEBAGO HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: update only.
*Need to schedule the quarterly meeting.
FEDERAL ADVOCACY:
Congressional Updates
House Hearing on Fiscal Year 2027 Tribal
Priorities
NAHASDA reimplantation push from NCAI
– Josh will send out to the Tribal Council.
Administrative Updates
USDA Tribal Advisory Committee Vacancies
– 3 open positions deadline is March 31, 2026.
Lorelei DeCora motioned to nominate Trey
Blackhawk to the USDA Tribal Advisory
Committee. Victoria Kitcheyan seconded the
motion.
ABSTAIN: Trey Blackhawk
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(1) abstain, TB
Motion carried.
IHS Realignment Consultation Comments
ED Consultation Comments
BREAK: 1:06 p.m., reconvene at 1:39 p.m.
NITC RESOLUTION:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to have Chairman Brown sign on behalf of the Winnebago
Tribe of Nebraska the NITC resolution: Opposition to Section 1115 Sustainable Coverage
Demonstration, and the Winnebago Tribe of
Nebraska to submit formal comments. Lorelei
DeCora seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to enter executive session at 1:50 p.m. Trey Blackhawk
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to exit executive session at 2:27 p.m. Victoria Kitcheyan
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Lorelei DeCora motioned to direct General
Counsel to prepare code revisions to strengthen
Protection Order provisions. Victoria Kitcheyan seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to table the
kikiraja discussion until a later date.
Trey Blackhawk seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adjourn
at 2:29 p.m. Trey Blackhawk seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at
2:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
MID-MONTHLY TRIBAL COUNCIL
MEETING
March 23, 2026
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Coly Brown
Isaac Smith
Teresa Littlegeorge
Ireta Frazier
Victoria Kitcheyan
Lorelei DeCora (v)
Trey Blackhawk
OTHERS PRESENT:
Christina Parker
Darla LaPointe
Christina Redhorn (v)
Kellie Snow (v)
Brittany Thomas
Felicia Brownrigg (v)
Chad Smith (v)
John St. Cyr
Jaci Peterson
Misti Jefferson
Thelma Whitewater
Tiffany Buchanan
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Rona Stealer (PTO)
Eugene DeCora (PTO)
*(v) indicates; virtual participation
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Brown
called to order at 5:04 p.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Council member
Victoria Kitcheyan offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Trey Blackhawk motioned to approve the
agenda with additions. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
READING OF THE MINUTES:
March 2, 2026 – Regular Tribal Council
meeting minutes
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve
the March 2, 2026 – Regular Tribal Council
meeting minutes. Trey Blackhawk seconded
the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
March 16, 2026 – Disenrollment Hearing
meeting minutes
Trey Blackhawk motioned to approve the
March 16, 2026 - Disenrollment Hearing meeting minutes. Ireta Frazier seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
RATIFY THE FIVE SIGNATURES:
Approval of resolution #26-89: Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Service Grant
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to ratify the
five-signature: Approval of resolution #26-89:
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum
Service Grant. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded
the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Tribal Council food donation in the amount
of $500.00 for non-tribal member B.P.
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to ratify the
five-signature: Tribal Council food donation in
the amount of $500.00 for non-tribal member
B.P. Victoria Kitcheyan seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Approval of a Donation Match Request from
5th grade Boys Basketball New Breed Team in
the amount of $1,000.00 to travel to Las Vegas,
NV for a basketball tournament.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to ratify the
five-signature: Approval of a Donation Match
Request from 5th grade Boys Basketball New
Breed Team in the amount of $1,000.00 to
travel to Las Vegas, NV for a basketball tournament. Trey Blackhawk seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Approval of Resolution #26-90: Tribal
Enrollment Applicant; Emergency Enrollment
#A4868 A.L.W.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to ratify the
five-signature: Approval of Resolution #26-90:
Tribal Enrollment Applicant; Emergency Enrollment #A4868 A.L.W. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Big Time Elite High School Basketball;
Donation match request; $1,000
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to ratify the
five-signature: Big Time Elite High School
Basketball; Donation match request; $1,000.
Ireta Fraizer seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
M.C. – Girls High School B-ball team; Donation match request; $1,000
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to ratify the
five-signature: M.C. – Girls High School B-ball
team; Donation match request $1,000. Victoria
Kitcheyan seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Letter of Support – E.D./Winnebago Health
Foundation re: Community Park
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve the
Chairman to sign off on a letter of support for
the Winnebago Health Foundation’s efforts to
building a park at the Land of Wellness using
the T-Mobile Grant. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Planning Department Resolution – update
and discussion.
Match Request – Christina Redhorn.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to support B.P.
Jr. with a $1,000.00 donation match request
as he competes at the state level in a vocal
competition hosted by the National Federation
of Music Clubs, (ACH) payable to his mother
Christina Redhorn. Lorelei DeCora seconded
the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: none
TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEMS:
C.C. request : Financial Assistance - C.C. is
not present.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to table until
such time as C.C. may be present and invoices
can be provided. Trey Blackhawk seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to enter executive session at 5:26 p.m. Trey Blackhawk
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
M.J.
[Lorelei out at 5:54 p.m.]
[Teresa out at 6:01 p.m., in at 6:03 p.m.]
[Isaac out at 6:05 p.m., in at 6:06 p.m.]
J.S.
[Trey out at 6:15 p.m.]
A.B.
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to exit executive session at 6:58 p.m. Victoria Kitcheyan
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adjourn the
meeting at 6:59 p.m. Ireta Frazier seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at
6:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary
Winnebago Tribal Council
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
PHYSICAL RESOURCES REPORT
MEETING
March 23, 2026
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Coly Brown
Teresa Littlegeorge
Ireta Frazier
Lorelei DeCora (v)
Victoria Kitcheyan
Isaac Smith (in at 9:20 a.m.)
Trey Blackhawk
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brian Chamberlain
Fannie LaTray
Autumn Nieman
Christina Parker
Harvey Freemont
Oscar Canales
Kellie Snow (v)
Anna Bess Preston
Mark Stout
Brittany Thomas
Darla LaPointe
Jarold McWilliams
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Eugene DeCora (Travel)
Rona Stealer (PTO)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Brown
called to order at 9:10 a.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Chairman Brown
offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve the
agenda with amendments. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE:
LAND MANAGEMENT:
Resolution #25-124 A: REF: Business Lease,
Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Church & Pre
School
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to table Resolution #25-124 A: Business Lease, Jesus Our
Savior Lutheran Church & Pre School until the
CEO Report to hear from Treasurer. Lorelei
DeCora seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Resolution - Commercial Lease – Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Law and Justice Center,
Saturday, April 25, 2026 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 5
TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Allotment 168L Henry Jefferson
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adopt
resolution #26-99: REF: Commercial Lease –
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Law and Justice
Center, Allotment 168L Henry Jefferson. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Isaac in at 9:20 a.m.]
Resolution - Tim Ruge Easement – Access
to his land.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adopt
resolution #26-100: REF: Tim Ruge Easement
– Access to his land. Ireta Frazier seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Resolution – REF: Gregory Neff, Sr. – land
Exchange
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adopt resolution #26-101: REF: Gregory Neff Sr. Land
Exchange. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Resolution – Ref: Monica Flores - Land
Exchange
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adopt resolution #26-102: REF: Monica Flores - Land
Exchange. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
PHYSICAL RESOURCE REPORT:
Monthly Report, Executive Summary
Ireta Frazier motioned to approve the report
as presented. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Cemetery Expansion Information
[Victoria out at 9:46 a.m.]
[Isaac out at 9:46 a.m.]
[Loss of quorum, discussion continue]
[Teresa out 9:48 a.m.]
[Isaac in at 9:47 a.m.]
[Teresa in at 9:49 a.m.]
[quorum, established, discussion continued]
IHS Tribal Force Account Information
Tribal Transit – Community Activity Vehicle
Use
Community Activities are not allowable for
the current guidelines.
Phone Request – will do a budget mod to
provide work phones for the drivers.
[Lorelei out to use the cagore]
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:
Tribal Justice Building Survey – Presented
by Mark Stout
[Isaac out at 10:10 a.m., in at 10:12 a.m.]
ADJOURN:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to adjourn
the meeting at 10:18 a.m. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at
10:18 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
CEO REPORT
March 24, 2026
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Coly Brown
Teresa Littlegeorge
Victoria Kitcheyan (v)
Rona Stealer (v)
Ireta Frazier
Trey Blackhawk
Lorelei DeCora (v)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Darla LaPointe
Christina Parker
Chad Smith (v)
Cecelia Earth (v)
Anna Bess Preston (v)
Ramona Sheridan
Jarold McWilliams
Tiffany Buchanan
Anthony Bassette (v)
Danelle Smith (v)
Maggie Miller (v)
LaTeasha Bass
Amy LaPointe-Houghton (v)
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Isaac Smith (at another meeting)
Eugene DeCora (travel)
*(v) indicates – virtual attendance
.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Brown
called to order at 9:07 a.m.
OPENING PRAYER: CEO, Darla
LaPointe offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to add the table
item and approve the agenda. Trey Blackhawk
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADMINISTRATION:
CEO February Report: Presented by Darla
LaPointe.
[Teresa out at 9:51 a.m., in at 9:56 a.m.]
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to accept the
February CEO report as presented. Victoria
Kitcheyan seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
CAO February Report: Presented by Tiffany
Buchanan.
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve
the February CAO Report as presented. Ireta
Frazier seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
In-House Legal February Report: Presented
by Chad Smith.
Trey Blackhawk motioned to approve the
February In-House Legal Report. Rona Stealer
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
WINNEBAGO HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Ireta Frazier motioned to appoint Tiffany
Buchanan to the Winnebago Housing & Development Commission. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WINNEBAGO HEMP COMMISSION
Ireta Frazier motioned to appoint Barbara Pretends Eagle and Maggie Miller to the
Winnabago HEMP Commission. Teresa
Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WILDLIFE AND PARKS COMMISSION
(names drawn by CFO, Jarold McWilliams)
3 yr terms – David Cox and Don McCauley
III
2yr terms – Roberto Gorrin, Sr. and James
Price, Sr.
1 yr term – Travis Mallory
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to appoint
the individuals as drawn for the terms to the
Wildlife and Parks Commission. Ireta Frazier
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WINNEBAGO GAMING DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned for Tyren Wolfe
for a one-year term to the Winnebago Gaming
Development Corporation. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to appoint John
Baker to the two-year term to the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation. Trey
Blackhawk seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Ireta Frazier motioned to appoint Caroline
Bassette to the three-year term to the Winnebago Gaming Development Corporation. Victoria
Kitcheyan seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan motioned to approve the
Veteran Service Officer Assistant job description and org chart. Ireta Frazier seconded the
motion.
Discussion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
ENROLLMENT:
Resolution: Tribal Enrollment Applicants
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to adopt resolution #26-103: Tribal Enrollment Applicants
[A4817, A4820, A4833, A4834, A4842, A4843,
A4847, AA4848, A4850]. Victoria Kitcheyan
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT:
Career Technical Education (CTE) Program
– Presented by LaTeasha Bass
[Rona out for another meeting]
BREAK: 11:04 a.m., reconvene at 11:16 a.m.
TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEM:
Tabled item: Resolution #25-124 A, REF:
Business Lease: Jesus Our Savior Lutheran
Church & Pre School.
No action taken to adopt the new resolution.
Resolution #25-124 REF: Business Lease: Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Church & Pre School
stands as is.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to enter executive session at 11:25 a.m. Trey Blackhawk
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Ireta Frazier motioned to exit executive
Session at 11:59 a.m. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Trey Blackhawk motioned to adjourn the
meeting at 12:02 p.m. Teresa Littlegeorge
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
CEO will work on developing a Policy for
the Boards and Committees.
Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at
12:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
TREASURER’S REPORT MEETING
March 27, 2026
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Coly Brown
Teresa Littlegeorge
Rona Stealer
Isaac Smith (in @ 9:07 a.m.)
Ireta Frazier
Trey Blackhawk
Eugene DeCora
Lorelei DeCora (v)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Tom Teesdale
Mike Means
Jarold McWilliams
Cheryl Painter
Brittany Thomas
Beth Wewel
Ray Thomas
Mike Means
Christian Rogers
Angel Derochie
Nakia Mallory
David Edwards
Petra Nielsen (v)
Anna Bess Preston (v)
Char Richardson (v)
Kellie Snow (v)
Kiana Lewis (v)
Tiffany Buchanan (v)
Felicia Brownrigg (v)
Kiva Harden-Free
Lisa Walker
Lance Morgan (v)
Monica Flores (v)
Kevin Ebert
Christina Parker
Thomas Snow (v)
Sharon Frenchman (v)
Aaron LaPointe
Maggie Miller (v)
Danelle Smith (v)
Anna Berridge (v)
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan (PTO)
*(v) indicates virtual attendance.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Brown
called to order at 9:05 a.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Treasurer, Rona
Stealer offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Trey Blackhawk motioned to approve the
agenda. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Isaac in at 9:07 a.m.]
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Introduction: Jarold McWilliams, CFO
WTN FEBRUARY 2026 FINANCIAL REPORT: presented by Jarold McWilliams.
Eugene DeCora motioned to approve the
WTN February 2026 Report. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
APPROVALS: Credit Department Policy and
Procedures
Will add to the next CEO Report meeting on
April 16, 2026.
Resolution – Region 7 Fiscal Year 2025
Wetland Program Development Grants
Ireta Frazier motioned to adopt resolution
#26-104: Region 7 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland
Program Development Grants. Rona Stealer
seconded the motion.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Rona out at 9:45 a.m.]
WINNEBAGO COMPREHENSIVE
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FINANCIAL
REPORT:
Presented by Beth Wewel and David Edwards.
February 2025 Financial Report
Revenue Generation Report
[Rona in at 9:57 a.m.]
[Teresa out at 9:58 a.m., in at 10:01 a.m.]
[Rona out at 10:06 a.m., in at 10:13 a.m.]
[Teresa out at 10:13 a.m.]
Isaac Smith motioned to approve the WCHS
February 2026 Financial and Revenue Generation Reports. Eugene DeCora seconded the
motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Teresa in at 10:15 a.m.]
BREAK: 10:15 a.m., reconvene at 10:31
a.m.
WINNEBAGO GAMING COMMISSION
REPORT:
Presented by Lisa Walker, Nakia Mallory
and Thomas Snow.
Rona Stealer motioned to approve the Winnebago Gaming Commission February 2026
Report.
Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WARHORSE REPORT:
Presented by Angel Derochie, Lance Morgan
and Aaron LaPointe.
[Trey out at 11:08 a.m. in at 11:11 a.m.]
Eugene DeCora motioned to approve the
February 2026 Warhorse Financial Report.
Trey Blackhawk seconded the motion.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
WINNAVEGAS CASINO REPORT:
Presented by Tom Teesdale, Mike Means,
Ray Thomas, and Christian Rogers.
WINNAVEGAS FINANCIAL REPORT
Eugene DeCora motioned to approve the
February 2026 WinnaVegas Casino financial
Report.
Rona Stealer seconded the motion.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
FEBRUARY 2026 PROMOTIONS: Presented by Petra Nielsen.
APPROVALS:
Lorelei DeCora motioned to approve all seven (7) WinnaVegas Approvals as listed below:
Slot Department request
Approve the Slot Department request to purchase eight (8) new slot machines from Light
and Wonder.
Marketing Department request
Approve the request from the marketing department for the MJ Live concert on Saturday,
June 13, 2026.
Marketing Department request
Approve the marketing department request
for approval for the $150,000 “Let Freedom
Ring!” Drawings, Saturdays in July 2026.
Marketing Department request
Approve the marketing department request
for the Twinning is Winning Drawings promotion, Fridays in July.
Marketing Department request
Approve the marketing department request
for the July 2026 Continuity program “Locked
and Loaded” promotional days, Sundays in
July.
Marketing Department request
Approve the marketing department request to
approve the “Game Day” Continuity program
in August 2026.
Marketing Department request
Approve the marketing department request
to approve the continuity of the “Cornerstone
Cookware” program in September 2026.
Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Isaac out at 11:30 a.m.]
TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEMS:
T.C. Salary Discussion – Justification and
analysis will be prepared and presented at a
later date.
ADJOURN:
Eugene DeCora motioned to adjourn the
meeting at 11:43 a.m. Trey Blackhawk seconded the motion.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no
(0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at
11:43 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
PHYSICAL RESOURCES REPORT
April 13, 2026
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Coly Brown
Teresa Littlegeorge
Isaac Smith
Rona Stealer
Ireta Frazier
Eugene DeCora
Victoria Kitcheyan
Lorelei DeCora (v)
Trey Blackhawk (v)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Autumn Nieman
Fannie LaTray
Anthony Wood
Harvey Freemont
Oscar Canales
Larry Payer
Garan Coons
Roland Warner
Aric Armell
Christina Parker
Garan Coons
Rebecca Walker (v)
Brian Chamberlain
Danelle Smith (v)
Tiffany Buchanan (v)
Anna Berridge (v)
James Price
Anthony Bassette (v)
Aaron LaPointe (v)
Kristine Earth (v)
Thomas Snowball
Jewel Parker
Brandon Stout
Felicia Brownrigg (v)
Kenny LaPointe
Sean Bear
David Wingett
Kellie Snow (v)
Janelle DeCora (v)
Pete Snowball
John Snowball
Chad Smith
Jerald McWilliams
Ron Nohr
Terri Lee Medina (v)
William Bass (v)
Con’t. in next issue...
Page 6 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 25, 2026
Question of the Issue:
What is one genius life hack that everyone should
know about?
GARAN:Pickles with kool-aid!? I think everyone knows about that one. Game
changer! If your feeling adventurous, try cut up cucumbers and cut up onions soaked
in apple cider vinegar for a couple of days. Sprinkle salt on them and be prepared to
make your sour face. Garanteed’s Sour Snack! It needs to have its own food group, I
am telling ya!
KEVIN: Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Banana, dip in beaten egg,
let the bread soak a bit, spray a pan with Pam and then fry. Best French toast out there.
Oh, yea can’t forget the powdered sugar. Just a little dusting. (Editor’s note: There you
have it, the rez-wide famous EBbZ French Toast)
CHRISTINA: Something I learned from a doctor's ex-wife, is how to remove blood
from clothing or blankets is with hydrogen peroxide. Saturate the area before washing
and you can thank me later. Not trying to sound scary but very useful for females.
BETHANI: I can’t tell you... You might tell everybody! =) Jokes... I have a little trick
from the kitchen that can help prevent you from being a quirky snack for mosquitos.
Use vanilla extract and for some odd reason, the mosquitos will leave you alone. Last
summer during the firework display in Winnebago, my mom told me and my brothers
to use vanilla extract to repel the bugs and to my surprise, it worked. It’s not a true
repellent, but it does provide temporary relief. Just put a little dab in your hand and
rub it on the areas of your body that are not covered up, boom! Old indian trick, as my
mom would say.
TYLER: If you’re at work and only have an air fryer.. You can “boil” eggs lol.
Sometimes you gotta work with what you got :p
GAYLA: I have a hack to share! So, I have very small hands. One day, I was struggling to open a big, glass jar of pickles. My son took the jar and firmly tapped the
edge of the jar lid on the counter a couple times and it opened up super easy after that.
Apparently, It helps weaken the pressure seal. He learned it in Family and Consumer
Sciences class. It was pretty nifty and probably common knowledge, but I use that
method every time I open jars now! It’s great, especially when you have small hands,
carpal tunnel or just don’t have an adult male in the house to help open jars for you!
AYDEN: A genius life hack is to never send more than you have.
Saturday, April 25, 2026 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 7
Interstates and Identity: Winnebago Artist Savannah Anderson
Featured in Sioux City Art Center’s 2026 Biennial
By Gayla Whitewater, Communications
Office Manager
The Sioux City Art Center is once again
bringing together artists from across the
region for its 2026 Biennial exhibition,
Interstates, a guest-curated show exploring
themes of movement, connection, and
distance. While highways like I-29 and
I-80 physically shape how people move
through the Midwest, this exhibition asks
a deeper question: how do these pathways
reflect the ways we understand place,
identity, and belonging?
I had the opportunity to attend the
opening reception on April 16th, and it
was a powerful experience to see how
this exhibition brought together so many
different perspectives from across the
region. Spaces like this matter. Not just
for artists, but for our communities to be
present, visible, and recognized.
Among the artists featured this year
is Winnebago tribal member Savannah
Anderson Ricehill, whose work offers a
powerful and deeply personal perspective
rooted in lived experience.
Anderson’s contribution, a diptych
titled “Between Reservations”, captures
something many in our community know
intimately but is rarely centered in spaces
like this.
“My diptych called Between
Reservations is a photo of the Umóⁿhoⁿ
Reservation Line and the Winnebago
Tribe Reservation Line shown in one.
It serves as a reference of who I am. I
see these signs nearly every day. When
I cross into the Umóⁿhoⁿ reservation
I’m Umóⁿhoⁿ, and when I cross into the
Winnebago reservation, I’m Hōcąk.”
Her work aligns seamlessly with the
Biennial’s theme. While the exhibition
highlights interstates as physical
connectors, Anderson’s piece speaks to
the invisible borders that exist within and
between Native homelands, spaces that
carry meaning far beyond what an outside
viewer might see.
“This worked with the Interstates
exhibit because you see land, roads,
invisible borders.” says Savannah.
For Anderson, participating in an
exhibition like this is about more than
showcasing art. It is about visibility,
representation, and creating space where it
has historically been limited.
“It’s important to create space
for ourselves and take advantage of
opportunities like this. No one else would
see these signs and think anything of it,
but to us as Hōcąk and Umóⁿhoⁿ, there’s a
lot of meaning behind it.”
Her words speak to a broader truth.
Indigenous perspectives are often
overlooked or misunderstood in
mainstream spaces. Work like Anderson’s
challenges that by grounding viewers in
a lived reality, one that is layered with
identity, history, and belonging.
Indigenous people have always been
creators, innovators, and storytellers. Long
before galleries and institutions existed,
our people were designing, building,
and creating with purpose, beauty, and
meaning.
As Ho-Chunk artist and educator Angel
De Cora once said:
“My people are a race of designers. I
look for the day when the Indian shall
make beautiful things for all the world.”
That day is not in the future. It is now.
Ho-Chunk artists like Savannah
Anderson and Henry Payer are continuing
that legacy, bringing our stories into
spaces that have not always made room
for us. Exhibitions like this are not just
opportunities for visibility. They are
reminders that we belong in ALL spaces,
including art museums. Our presence is
not new. It is a continuation.
Beyond this single piece, Anderson
views her work as part of something
larger. She describes herself not only as
a photographer, but as a preservationist,
someone committed to documenting
Native life in ways that honor both the
present and the future.
“I think of myself not only as a
photographer, but a preservationist. I’m
mostly known for my portraits of people,
and I enjoy creating artwork of our people
today because I hope someday, 100 years
from now, they will be in history and
accurately represented. I have a lot of
projects living in my head. In a better
place to be able to work more on my
creative projects and to get my work out
there more.”
In a time where Native people
have so often been misrepresented, or
erased entirely, this kind of intentional
documentation is powerful. It ensures that
future generations will see themselves
reflected truthfully, not through a colonial
lens, but through their own.
The 2026 Biennial is more than an
exhibition. It is an opportunity. An
opportunity for our community to show
up, support one of our own, and see our
stories represented in a regional space.
We encourage all Winnebago Tribal
members and community relatives to
visit the Sioux City Art Center and
experience Interstates firsthand. The
exhibition will be on display through
August 9, 2026. Supporting Native artists
like Savannah Anderson means uplifting
not just individual voices, but the stories,
identities, and histories that shape who we
are.
Because sometimes, what looks like just
a sign on the side of the road is actually a
reflection of home.
MARCH 2026
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Legacy Learning Program Continues to Build Skills
and Community
Submitted by Kiana Lewis
Established in 2024, the Legacy
Learning Program, housed under HoChunk, Inc.’s Community Development
Department, is now in its fourth cohort
and continues to create hands-on learning
opportunities for participants while making a meaningful impact in the Winnebago
community.
Since its launch, the program has
completed several projects that directly
benefit local spaces, including office
improvements at Ho-Chunk Farms, construction of community garden beds, and
a storage shed for the Boys and Girls Club
of the Hocak Nisoc Haci. Each project is
designed to give participants practical experience while contributing to community
development.
The current cohort is partnering with
the Winnebago Housing Authority on a
major renovation project. Participants
have been given the opportunity to demolish and restore a four-bedroom home
that will ultimately provide housing for a
local family in Winnebago. Through this
work, participants gain valuable trade
skills while also developing essential job
readiness habits.
Beyond construction experience, the
program emphasizes personal and professional growth. Participants learn the
importance of showing up on time, taking
pride in their work, and building a strong
work ethic. These skills translate directly
to full-time employment or continued
education in a skilled trade.
The current cohort includes six participants who are gaining real-world experience under the guidance of mentors Greg
and Vince Bass. Their leadership and
commitment to sharing generational and
institutional knowledge continue to play a
key role in the program’s success.
As the Legacy Learning Program
grows, it remains focused on creating pathways for participants to
build skills, confidence, and a strong
foundation for future careers while
strengthening the community along the
way.
For more information or questions
about the Legacy Learning Program,
please contact Janelle DeCora at jdecora@hochunkinc.com.
Page 8 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 25, 2026
COMMUNITY
Saturday, April 25, 2026 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 9
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Winnebago Community Celebrates
14th Annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza
Halle Murray Marketing Specialist
Winnebago, Ne – The 14th Annual Winnebago Community Easter EggStravaganza was held on Friday, April 3rd, 2026, at Winnebago Public
School, bringing together families for a vibrant afternoon of celebration and
community engagement.
This year’s event welcomed attendees of all ages to participate in agegrouped Easter egg hunts, with 16,000 candy-filled eggs on the turfed fields.
Children eagerly joined their designated hunt times, searching for eggs and
enjoying the thrill of discovery, while families cheered them on, creating a
festive and energetic atmosphere.
In addition to the egg hunts, the event featured a variety of activities
designed to engage and entertain the entire family. Guests enjoyed a petting
zoo, pony rides, delicious pizza, and exciting prize opportunities. This year,
Auntie Bunny was a crowd favorite, with the children excited to take photos
and create lasting memories with the special guest.
“Although we put rain or shine to the test, it is an honor to continue
supporting & attending this beloved community tradition” reflected David
Edwards, CEO of WCHS. “Our Public Health Department is great at
providing opportunities for our relatives to come together, connect, be
active, and be outside - in all kinds of weather. Healthy family activities,
entertainment and connections are just one of the ways we work to create
and sustain healthy community.”
The Easter Egg-Stravaganza has grown into a cherished annual tradition,
reflecting WCHS’s commitment to supporting family engagement and
encouraging meaningful connections across the community. WCHS thanks
everyone who attended and
contributed to making this year’s Easter Egg-Stravaganza a memorable
event and looks forward to continuing this tradition in the years ahead.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.