Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska • Volume 50, Number 12 • Saturday, June 12, 2021
Tribal code
Ask Donna
What actually matters in this document.
Text
Bago Bits…
Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska • Volume 50, Number 12 • Saturday, June 12, 2021
Tribal Members Provide Their Input on the Winnebago American Rescue Plan
The Whirling Thunder Wellness Pool is
now open! You can find the hours on
the Whirling Thunder Wellness Program
Facebook page; they are open M-F and
closed on the weekends. (Picture taken on
June 8, 2021)
Featured from top to bottom in the collage is Winnebago Tribal Chairwoman Victoria
Kitcheyan, Winnebago Tribe CFO Alan Post, COVID-19 Grant Coordinator Billie Kitcheyan,
and Communications Director Garan Coons discussed what the American Rescue Plan Act
means for Winnebago in a Facebook live on June 8th.
On May 27th, the Winnebago Domestic
Violence Program held a walk/run in
Winnebago to raise awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women and
people. The walk/run took place from the
Twelve Clans Unity Hospital to the BIA,
pictured is staff from both locations.
Rain or shine, these boys played a good
game and a great season! Bringing home
the All-Nations Football Championship
Runner-up title, the team got together for
a picture after the game on May 27th in
Mitchell, SD. (Picture credits: Winnebago
Public School)
Winonah Leader Charge
WINNEBAGO, NE—On June 7th, the
Winnebago Tribal Council held a special
forum at the Little Priest Tribal College
(LPTC) auditorium about the American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that is
coming to Winnebago. The forum was to
inform tribal members about the ARPA
funding and to get the Winnebago Tribal
member’s feedback.
Billie Kitcheyan Covid-19 Grant Coordinator provided a PowerPoint presentation about the American Rescue Plan
Act funding. She provided key points
at the forum and left the floor open for
discussion and feedback.
The main points included:
May 10th, 2021 the U.S. Department
of Treasury announced the American
Rescue Plan Act.
• 20 billion reserved for Tribal Governments.
The ARPA is to help recover communities that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, help recover financially and as a whole in the public health
sector. “The tribal government was able
to calculate the loss of revenue that was
not received due to the pandemic, and
we will be able to use the funding to
strengthen the tribal organization” said
Kitcheyan.
ARPA Recovery Funds: Eligible uses
include.
• Support the health response.
• Address negative economic impacts.
• Replace Tribal Government Revenue
loss.
• Provide premium pay for essential
employees.
• Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
• Address health disparities.
• Investing in building housing &
communities.
• Address educational disparities.
• Promote healthy childhood environments.
"At this time, we don’t have a budget
completed and we don’t have a final
number of what the tribe is eligible to
receive” said Kitcheyan.
The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is
respectfully asking for both on and off
reservation Winnebago tribal members
of all ages to participate in filling out a
survey. The Winnebago Tribal Council
would like to get tribal member feedback on the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is vitally important to get input
from the tribal members because tribal
council will use the feedback when deciding which projects to fund. It’s time
to give input before the funding arrives”
said Garan Coons WTN Communications Officer.
As of the publish date, 94 tribal
members have completed the survey
out of over 5,000 Winnebago tribal
members.
Scan the QR code on page 10 to take
the survey or use the link at https://
www.surveymonkey.com/r/WTARPSurvey
The Tribe held a virtual event on
Tuesday, June 8th to gather tribal
member input from afar. The virtual
event can be viewed on the Winnebago
Tribe of Nebraska’s YouTube and Facebook page.
The survey will be open until the
evening of Wednesday, June 16th.
Next in person tribal member forum/
consultation will be Tuesday, June 15th
from 5-6 at the LPTC auditorium.
Veterans Announce Fully Vaccinated Homecoming Celebration
On June 2nd, the Ho-Chunk Renaissance
Program posted up in downtown Winnebago to help promote community participation in their very important language
preservation survey.
HoChunk women dancing the snake dance during the 150th Annual Homecoming Celebration.
Winonah Leader Charge
The Winnebago Indian News staff would
like to send an additional congratulations
to all the Graduates of 2021! Here is a
photo from EduCare’s preschool graduation on May 21st. This event was a livestreamed event, you can also see more of
these little graduates in this issue.
The Winnebago Public School FCCLA
Students organized and hosted a “High
School Competition Day” on June 3rd at
the school’s football field. Students of
each class competed in various games as
a part of the school’s wellness initiative.
WINNEBAGO, NE—The Winnebago
Veteran’s Association announced the
155th Annual Homecoming Celebration
of Chief Little Priest the Last War Chief of
the HoChunk. It will be a three-day event
starting on Friday, July 23rd through
Sunday, July 25th at Winnebago Veterans Park.
All in attendance of the 155th Annual
Homecoming Celebration must be fully
vaccinated and provide their COVID-19
vaccination record card or immunization
record to gain entry into Veteran’s Memorial Park. There will be no charge to attend this year’s Homecoming Celebration.
“Our veterans advised us that three
days will keep the numbers down of
having people in close contact with each
other” said Randy DeCora Vice Powwow
Chairman.
“We’re keeping the pandemic in mind,
to keep our people safe, that is why we
are keeping it at vaccinated and down
V i s i t
u s
a t
to three days. Otherwise it is going to be
a normal powwow. We understand that
some people don’t want to get their vaccination or don’t want to attend due to COVID, they can watch it on the livestream in
the safety of their home” said Aric Armell
Powwow Chairman.
The Warrior Kettle will be held Wednesday July 21st at 5:00 p.m.
“We are looking forward to everyone
coming out and attending the 155th
Homecoming Celebration” said Armell.
Cost for food vendors is $750.00 for
all three days. To have your name in the
lottery, vendors will need to pay $375.00
by July 1st per money order to the Finance office.
Arts and Crafts vendors who are local
enrolled Winnebago Tribal Members cost
is $100 for the weekend. Non local Arts
and Craft Vendors cost to be determined.
If you are interested in being a vendor,
please contact Alan Post at the Winnebago
Tribal Office (402) 878-2272.
*** In collaboration with the Winnebago
Public Health Department and it’s Covid-19 pandemic protocols plus following
the CDC guidelines, the Winnebago Veteran’s Association (WVA) is inviting the
11-year-old and under to attend this year’s
celebration with minimal risk. The Winnebago Public Health Department’s data
and CDC’s national data for the 11 years
and under age group COVID statistics attending outdoor events and being around
vaccinated people presents minimal risk
to that particular age group. This is one of
the reasons why the Winnebago Veteran’s
Association decided to hold this fully vaccinated people only celebration. ***
The Winnebago Communications Department will livestream the
155th Annual Homecoming Celebration
and can be viewed on the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s YouTube Channel
and Facebook page.
w w w . w i n n e b a g o t r i b e . c o m
Page 2 — Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021
BAGO NEWS
Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021 — Page 3
TRIBAL NEWS
WinnaVegas Casino Resort Lifts Restrictions
Sloan, Iowa – WinnaVegas Casino Resort announced today it is
lifting the mask mandate for those
who have been vaccinated and asking those who are non-vaccinated
to continue to wear masks when on
property effective Friday, June 4th
at 8am. Smoking will be allowed in
designated areas.
“As recommended by the CDC
and the Governor, those at high
risk for more severe COVID-19 illness should stay home,” said WinnaVegas General Manager Mayan
Beltran, “and we are encouraging
everyone to wear a mask where social distancing is not possible. Our
priority has always been the safety
of our guests, staff and owners.”
Our golf simulators, fitness room
and hotel pool are now open and
the hours of casino operation to
8am -2am Monday – Friday and
24 hours on the weekends. You
must be 12 years or old to enter
the property.
“We look forward to bringing
back the fun and excitement of
live concerts with our first show
scheduled for June 11,” continued
Beltran, “Urban Cowboy tickets
are going fast as everyone wants
to enjoy live entertainment again!”
Expanded hours of operation will be determined on a
later date. Casino management will continue to utilize
social media and their website (www.winnavegas.com) to
communicate and inform the
public on any new developments regarding the different
phases of reopening the Casino Resort.
June (6/7-6/14) Construction Updates
in the Winnebago Community
6/7- MECC building the inlets by the senior center. That completes the underground work and the area will be ready to begin subgrade prep.
Blackhawk center: MECC will be removing the existing sidewalk from the
front door north. I & A will pour the new back then will move the closure to the
south end. Hoping to have the north side done this week.
At the north circle a short day of removals to finish then rough grading and
ready for subgrade. One electrical crossing that will need done this week.
6/10- Will OPEN the Mathewson intersection off Highway 77 but will CLOSE
the Mercer Street Intersection. All access to the Blackhawk center will come
through Mathewson starting 6/10. DP Sawyer will make sure we have a stop
sign and the necessary traffic control to perform this.
WINNEBAGO TRIBAL COUNCIL
PRIMARY & REGULAR ELECTION
SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 & OCTOBER 5, 2021
Question of the Edition:
June 14th, 2021
Monday
Voters List
Special Tribal Council Meeting
What is a weird thing that people in Winnebago
might not know about you?
Winonah Leader Charge
WIN Editor
At Wayne State College I am known as
the "Scorpion Assistant".
Quick story, when I was in college, I
was selected to be a resident assistant or R.A., which we were tasked
with helping in the dorm life. I had the
first floor in Neihardt hall. Well one
year one of my guys on my floor had
a huge surprise for us when we did
room checks. He had over 170 real
live scorpions in his dorm room! We
called campus security, who called
the president of the college who didn't
know what to do so eventually the
Wayne PD showed up. The guy was at
work and when he returned, we asked
him "Why would you have scorpions
in your dorm?" His answer..."I like
them and they are my pets". Well his
punishment for having unauthorized
pets in his dorm was to have the R.A.
set up an educational about scorpions.
They said "Garan make sure to assist
him" thus I earned the title of Scorpion
Assistant. Pretty weird still to this day.
A weird thing people in Winnebago
might not know about me is I am a lowkey nerd. My nerdy obsessions include
Astrology, Astronomy, Art, Ancient
Civilizations, Cultural Diversity, Human
Sciences (Science in general), Pyramidology, Psychology, Sociology, I enjoy
reading various informative articles on
various topics (Google is the best!). I
enjoy learning new words, their meaning, and how to properly use them in a
sentence. I will end with learning and
exercising the mind is an extraordinary
gift.
Nominate Election Board
June 14th, 2021
to Challenge
Monday
Post Eligible Voters List-Five (5) Days
June 21st, 2021
Voters List
Monday
Deadline for Challenges to Eligible
June 25th, 2021
Friday
Special Tribal Council Meeting
Garan Coons
Winnebago Communications
Officer
Update & Approve Eligible
Challenges to Eligible Voters List Approved
Election Board Officially Appointed
June 25th, 2021
Election Code
Friday
Post Final Eligible Voters List & Tribal
July 5th, 2021
Monday
First Day of Notice of Intent
August 2nd, 2021
Monday
Last Day of Notice of Intent
August 3rd, 2021
Tuesday
List of Candidates Posted
August 4th, 2021
Services-Primary
Wednesday
Send Ballots to Automated Election
August 20th, 2021
Friday
Deadline for Absentee Ballot Requests
August 23rd, 2021
Monday
Absentee Ballots Mailed Out-Primary
September 7th, 2021
Tuesday
PRIMARY ELECTION
September 8th, 2021
Wednesday
Post Top Candidates
September 8th, 2021
Wednesday
Requests
Special Tribal Council Meeting
Approve Enrollment & Adoption
September 9th, 2021
Election Services-Regular
Thursday
September 17th, 2021
quests
Friday
September 20th, 2021
Monday
Send Ballots to Automated
Deadline for Absentee Ballot Re-
Absentee Ballots Mailed Out-Regular
October 5th, 2021
Tuesday
REGULAR ELECTION
October 6th, 2021
Members
Oath of Office
Wednesday
Notification of Newly Elected
Re-Organizational Meeting of New Tribal Council
Members
Bethani Redhorn
WIN Office Manager
Christina Parker
Desktop Publisher
Something weird about me that majority
of Winnebago doesn't know is, I like to
eat potato chips with melted cheese.
The weirdest thing I could think of that
most people wouldn’t know about me
is how I shaved my head when I was
about 20 years old. I’ve grown my
hair out since then, but it all started
when I enlisted into the United States
Navy. Months before my leave-date, I
changed my hairstyle a couple times
before I settled for the mohawk with
bangs. The night before I left for basic
training, I asked my brother-in-law
to cut it for me because I didn’t want
to get stuck with a crazy haircut from
bootcamp and ended up with a GI
Jane haircut. The Navy no longer requires a symmetrical haircut as such,
but the best part overall was my hair
growth journey.
Hōcąk Corner
Wikiri tē hi
(wee-kee-rdee day hee)
Bug spray
Cąk ēja šgāc rare.
(chahk ay-jah shgah-ch rdah-rday)
Go play outside.
The next issue of the WINNEBAGO INDIAN NEWS will be published on June 26, 2021.
——————————————————
Postmaster Send Address Changes To
Winnebago Indian News
P.O. Box 687
Winnebago, Nebraska 68071
——————————————————
The Winnebago Indian News (WIN),
founded in January 1972, is published
bi-weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of
Nebraska.
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.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The reproduction of editorial or photography content
without permission is prohibited.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send
change of address with old mailing label to:
Winnebago Indian News
P.O. Box 687
Winnebago, NE 68071
contact us at our e-mail address:
winnebagoindiannews@
winnebagotribe.com
402-878-2272
“Official Newspaper of
the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska”
DEADLINE for this issue will be June 22, 2021.
Yearly Subscription Rates
Nebraska Residents ....................$25.00
Out-Of-State ................................$35.00
Overseas .....................................$50.00
Advertising Rate
Per Column Inch ............................$7.00
Advertising/News Deadline
12:00 Noon Monday Printing Week
Periodicals Postage Paid
(Issn 1060-3026) At Winnebago, NE
Winnebago Indian News Staff
Winonah Leader Charge .............. Editor
.......................................Office Manager
Bethani Redhorn............Office Assistant
Christina Parker............Desktop Publisher
Winnebago Tribal Council
Victoria Kitcheyan .............. Chairwoman
Brian Chamberlain .......... Vice Chairman
Lorelei DeCora ....................... Secretary
Rona Stealer........................... Treasurer
Coly Brown .............................. Member
John Snowball . ........................ Member
Arik Armell ................................ Member
Louie LaRose ........................... Member
Thelma Whitewater................... Member
Page 4 — Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thoughts from Lance...
I am the CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc.,
the economic development corporation
of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. I
have spent my most of my career being
a bit of an outsider.
When we started the company in
1995, it took a year to get any bank to
give us a loan. Interestingly, we did
not even really need the loan. We just
wanted to prove a bank could lend to a
tribally chartered corporation because
it was so unusual at that time.
We once fought a $1500 tax issue
with the State of Nebraska for 3 years
because we wanted the state to recognize that a tribal corporation was the
tribe for tax purposes. We had been
denied because there was not a box to
check on the state’s form for tribal corporations. We spent $50,000 in legal
fees, but we got our refund and, more
importantly, our status was confirmed.
We quietly grew our company. Occasionally we had issues with the state
or federal government over expanding
our economic and legal rights, but generally we were left alone. It is Nebraska
so people were always polite, but we
were never really part of the establishment and rarely did our economic or
legal interests hold much sway with
various business or political leaders.
Ho-Chunk, Inc. was funded with
gaming revenue back in the mid
1990’s, but competition from a series
of gaming expansions in Iowa has left
the Winnebago Tribe in a pretty stark
competitive position. Strategically we
were forced to roll the dice and fund
the effort to expand gaming at the Nebraska horse tracks.
Since we started the gaming expansion, something strange has been going
on. We won a Nebraska Supreme Court
case, which shocked us as much as anybody. We won the election despite some
overtly negative campaigning. We even
recently had state legislation passed
by a wide margin, which helped clarify
some aspects of gaming expansion.
Like it or not, we have stumbled into
the mainstream of Nebraska commerce.
I went to a public meeting recently. We
were seeking Tax Increment Financing for help with some infrastructure
in Omaha. It was a little controversial
because it was for a gaming establishment, but anyone who drives down near
the proposed facility knows we are going
to need to work on Q street and surrounding public infrastructure to make
it safer and more convenient for people
to visit the area.
Public infrastructure is exactly the
kind of role that this program was
designed to stimulate. However, a few
anti-gambling people were there objecting to our application. One of my team
told me they heard a comment from an
objector about the “greedy Indians.”
What?
I had thought I had heard it all when
it came to insults about tribes. We
have been described as poor, lazy, and
alcoholics, but we have never been considered greedy. Now that I think about
it, I suspect no group has been more
generous to this country than natives.
Natives have been the poorest group
of people in this state since Nebraska
joined the union. I have been to so many
protests about greedy corporations trying to hurt tribes that I have lost count.
I have never been the subject of the protest march before, and I am struggling
with how to act.
The good news is that our definition
of what a corporation does is probably
a lot different than most. We think a
corporation’s role is to be successful,
but make sure our employees have a
balanced life where family is a priority.
We also have a long track record of reinvesting in our communities with housing, education, and not just funding but
spearheading a variety of community
development activities. So maybe having a few “greedy Indian” corporations
around won’t be all that bad.
Garden Update
Week of June 7, 2021
"Abandon or Abide"
Henry Francis Lyte was born in 1793.
Henry was abandoned as a little boy,
and he never forgot it. I can not imagine
what it feels like to be abandoned as a
child. Maybe you can though. Henry
had battle with the fear of loneliness.
Henry also suffered with asthma. Now
I can relate to dealing with the inability
to catch my breath.
Henry would live his life with being
frail and sickly. The good news was that
he did not abandon his faith in God
in spite of his being abandoned by his
father and his mother, nor due to his
infirmities. Henry persevered with his
Biblical studies and earned a Doctorate
from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.
Henry reminds me of what our high
school football coach, Coach Keith
Benedix, would tell his players: 'When
the going gets tough, the tough get going.' And the going for Henry got even
tougher. In the late 1840's, his physician
gave him the news that he suffered from
tuberculosis and didn't have long to live.
Not willing to give in to the disease
that plagued him, Henry Lyte continued
as always his pastoral responsibilities.
In the summer of 1847, on his last Sunday in Brixham, Devonshire, England,
he practically had to crawl into the
pulpit to deliver his sermon. Leaving the
pulpit, Lyte returned to his study, where
he penned the beautiful and comforting
hymn 'Abide with Me.'
By the gift of faith in Jesus, Henry
was able to turn the fear of loneliness
and frailty into great expressions of
trust in God. Jesus was abandoned by
His Father on the cross of Good Friday,
later to be welcomed home after His
resurrection and ascension into heaven.
Lyte's trust was founded on this truth.
Lyte wrote the words to 'Abide with
Me' knowing full well that he was about
to die:
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens, Lord with me
abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts
flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing
hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay
can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide
with me.
Come not with terrors, as the King of
kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy
wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for ev'ry
plea,
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide
with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little
day.
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass
away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changes not, abide with
me.
I fear no foe with Thee at hand to
bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave,
thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing
eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me
to the skies.
Heav'ns morning breaks, and earth's
vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
I close with these words from the
apostle John's first letter, chapter
four, verses 17-19, that is the basis
for this hymn: 'God is love. so the one
who abides in love abides in God, and
God abides in him. In this way, is love
brought to completion with us so that
in the day of judgment we may have
confidence, because just as that one
is, so also are we in this world. There
is no fear in love, but complete love
casts out fear, because fear has to do
with punishment. So the one who fears
is not brought to completion in love'
[Schuchard translation].
In Loving Memory...
Avis Marie Rice (Bigfire)
Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension
Horticulture Educator in Dodge County
Winter Dieback of Trees and
Shrubs
A recent discussion thread
launched on the Shady Lane
listserv by Justin Evertson of the
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
asked observers how trees in their
landscapes weathered the negative
double-digit cold of winter. Used
to extreme cold conditions, native
trees and shrubs weathered the
tough winter best. Others (that
were thought to be very cold hardy)
lost all living canopy growth and
are now sending out sprouts at the
base. Still others are no surprise at
all, such as the Japanese maple,
a marginal species for this region
at best, which had major dieback
and/or outright death.
Overall, the winter injury is
divided into 3 main groups, with
the first being composed of trees
and shrubs with sparsely-leafed
branches and stems. Woody plants
that fall into this category include
privet, burning bush, lilac, tuliptree, and sycamore. For these
plants, recovery is a strong possibility though it may take several
years.
The second group is made up
of trees and shrubs that lost their
top branches and stems to winter
damage, with new growth arising
from the base. Trees and shrubs
in this group include black gum
(also known as tupelo), Korean
evodia, magnolia, and Siberian
elm. The good news about this
group is the plants survived. The
bad news is tree growth is nothing
like normal. A more accurate question would be do we really want to
save them? That is a tough one to
answer. It involves years of monitoring the tree, re-training a new
central leader, and thinning out
sprouts that give the appearance
of a shrub instead of a tree. If you
are willing to devote the time and
effort to take on this task, then do
JESUS OUR SAVIOR
LUTHERAN OUTREACH
so. Otherwise remove the old plant
and replace it with something with
greater hardiness.
Conifers suffered dieback too,
with the death of the tops of trees.
Spruce trees were hit hardest,
but juniper and pine were also affected. The dead central leader can
be pruned out and a lower branch
can be trained upright by tying the
branch to a pole placed along the
stem. Lower limbs can be trimmed
back to give the new leader time to
grow. Staking and tying materials
are to be removed in one year to
forestall stem girdling.
The third group consists of
plants lost altogether, like boxwood
and doublefile viburnum. Thankfully, the number of plants in this
group is not many but planting
something believed to be hardy only
to lose it is frustrating. In many
cases, trees had been growing successfully for years, only to die from
freeze injury just when we thought
they were large enough to weather
most anything.
Oddly enough, not all species
were affected uniformly. The paperbark maple in my yard looks
just fine while in other landscapes,
the tree had serious dieback. Tree
health prior to the winter will impact its survival from an extreme
weather event and the drought of
2020 compromised tree health.
This past winter emphasized the
importance of provenance. Provenance refers to the source of seed,
with trees grown from regional seed
sources showing higher survivability than trees grown from seeds
that come from outside the region.
Differences in soil, precipitation,
winter cold, and summer heat will
negatively impact trees and shrubs
grown from seed sources outside
the region. When purchasing a tree
or shrub, researching the plant’s
hardiness and where it came from
are essential to plant success.
Avis Marie Rice (Bigfire), Winnebago, Neb.
Avis Marie Rice (Bigfire) passed
away on Friday, May 21, 2021, at
home surrounded by family.
Avis was born in Albert Lea, Minn.
Her mother was Alice Mae Bigfire.
Her father was Adam Albert Brown
Jr. She married Nicholas Rice Sr. on
May 19, 1988.
She lived half her life in Worthington, Minn. She graduated from
Flandreau Indian School in 1975.
She moved to Winnebago, Neb., in
1986. She worked as a cook for the
Winnebago Youth Shelter, Head start,
and finished her career working with
the Winnebago Senior Center. She
loved her job and she was great at it.
She has six children, daughter,
Leatha Bass, son, Hugh Bigfire,
daughter. Katherine Rice, son, Gabriel Rice Sr., son. Nicholas Rice
Jr., daughter, Mary Hannah Rice.
She has 12 grandchildren, Leandra Bass, Vincent Bass III, Raelyn
Bigfire, Benicio Noble Rice, Ava Mae
Arrow, Daisy Rice, Veronica Rice,
Gabriel Rice Jr, Darren Greene,
Camden and Rocky, and another
grand baby on the way; and two
sisters, JoAnn H. Brown and Christina Brown.
She was preceded in death by her
mother, Alice Mae Bigfire.
Thank You
On behalf of our beautiful angel, Avis M. Rice, we would like to graciously thank everyone who showed us support in any way. We want
to thank the Winnebago Senior Center and the Health Department for
the lovely donations. We want to thank everybody that had a helping
hand in anyway for all your love, donations, kind words, support, and
your prayers. It means a lot to us. We are truly grateful and thankful.
Thank you,
The Family of Avis M. Rice
Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021 — Page 5
SAVE THE DATE
Page 6 - Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021
EDUCARE CLASS OF 2021
Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021 — Page 7
EDUCARE CLASS OF 2021
Page 8 - Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021
WINNEBAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL
Retiree: Daniela Gant
My first job at the Winnebago
School was in 1997, subbing in the
kitchen working for Pearl LaPoint.
On my first day, I was assigned to
butter the slices of bread, but I was
taking too long, so Pearl demoted
me to dishwasher. After I became a
teacher, I would always tease her that
I couldn’t even butter bread, but they
would let me teach her children and
grandchildren.
I was then hired to work in the
Special Education room, and I loved
it. While working there, I was offered
the opportunity to participate in the
Roots Program to become a teacher.
When I graduated in 2005, I became
the K-4 special education teacher. One
day I was working with a student, and I
noticed that he was writing his number
9’s backward. I asked him if that was
how we were supposed to make 9’s and
he said, “that was the way we Indians
always did it.” Holding back a laugh,
I asked, “Really?” and he smiled and
replied, “No, we didn’t even have paper
or pencils back then.” How could you
not love a job that offered such joy and
laughter?
When I offered to join Mrs. Pixler
and become part of the Academy, I was
thrilled. This was something that I had
always dreamed of having at Winnebago.
A program geared towards students
who wanted to succeed and go to college. Little did I know what I was getting
myself into! Each year I learned new
information and subjects as I transitioned from 7th to 10th grade with my
students. I used to joke that after my 3rd
time through high school, I finally got it.
When I look back over the last 20
years of working and teaching at Winnebago, many enjoyable memories come
to mind. I think my favorite memory
is how my first year there, we only
graduated 5 seniors. This last year we
graduated over 50. When people voice
displeasure with the school, I like to
remind them of that and that things are
getting better and better. It didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen with
only one person. I have always believed
“It takes a village to raise a child.” So
instead of complaining about the school,
ask what you can do to improve it even if
it is only buttering bread in the kitchen.
I will miss being a part of such an extraordinary educational institution and
its incredible, talented children!
Retiree: Nurse Julie
I have been at Winnebago Public
School for about 30 years. I first started
working at WPS as an ESU1 nurse. I was
assigned various duties of health care.
Retiree: Pearl LaPointe
Retiree: Jackie Koch
This is my seventeenth year at
WPS. i have taught third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh and eight grade special
education and inclusion. The longest
tenure of my 38 years of teaching is in
Winnebago. Winnebago is the school I
will always consider as "my school"; the
kids will always be "my kids", and the
entire staff will always be "my friends".
My favorite memory is taking junior
high students to the Orpheum Theater
in Omaha to see the Broadway production of The Lion King. The eighth grade
boy sitting next to me gasped "Huuuuh!"
as the curtain was raised to display the
splendor of the African scenery and
animals below.
I will be enjoying working in our
flower gardens and flying to Spokane in
June to see the grandchildren we have
only seen once in the past two years.
My husband and I will be traveling to
visit various national parks. I plan to
come back on a volunteer basis and
as a sub after the state allows me to
do so next January. Thanks to all for
your prayers for my husband. He is
back at work half-days at Brehmer
Mfg. in Lyons.
I started at WPS in July 1986. For a
total of 35 years.
I was initially hired as Food Service Manager and over the years with
the many Nutrition standard changes
moved into Nutrition Services Director.
It is really hard to come up with one
I worked at the school for 14 years.
I have been in Education for 33 years.
I started teaching on the Reservation back in 1988 for NICC - Nebraska Indian Community College
I taught at both Macy and
Winnebago
campuses.
I worked for LPTC as Instructor, Technology Director, and Interim President.
My teaching at LPTC included Technology, History, and Government.
My favorite memory at Bago was the
“Bago Boys” State Champs in 2015.
Awesome and Amazing! It inspired a Community and lifted the spirits in Winnebago.
It was a wonder ful thing. It is
still in the air to this day, inspiring students and providing
memories to all who witnessed it.
It was much more than a simple
State Title.
• DeVonna Gorrin •
Mrs. Lange’s Star Student: Kade Walker
• Roselynn Baker •
One of Mrs. Lange’s Star Student’ s
this month is Roselynn Baker. She
was chosen because she is helpful
to her teachers and other staff in the
classroom. Roselynn will help clean
up or run an errand that needs to be
done. She has shown improvements
in her math skills, and loves to add
and subtract in class. Roselyn has
a kind heart and a great personality.
Congrats to Roselynn this month!
favorite memory. One of them would be
the year we took State in Basketball.
The entire community came together
which
was awesome to see and be a part of.
Jeff turned around the basketball program and the way we were perceived
throughout the State.
Also the many Senior Steak Dinners I initiated after my first year. We
started in the old board room upstairs
with just 10 graduates. We gradually
moved to the old lunch room upstairs
then the round tables in the stairwell
downstairs and then the competition
gym with long tables and then this
year to the cafeteria with 44 graduates.
Seeing all the graduates enjoying a nice
dinner and serving them one last time.
We've had many challenges throughout the years but the ways our staff has
turned into one big family and come
together to help and encourage each
other and impact our students is awesome to be a part of.
Lastly I am going to miss the students' smiling faces as they come into
the cafeteria (hopefully all students
next year).
Respectfully
Pearl LaPointe
Retiree: Dar Bales
June Star Students!
DeVonna Gorrin is one of the Star
Student’s from Mrs. Lange’s class
this month. DeVonna has a car ing heart and tries anything she is
asked. DeVonna has grown so much
in Reading Mastery this year. She
has improved in her math skills and
is building her confidence every day.
DeVonna’s kindness is shown all day
long, she is so sweet to everyone. Congrats DeVonna on being Star Student
this month!
I would only be here one day a week
because I also was the school nurse for
Walthill, Macy, Homer and St. Mikes in
South Sioux City. ESU 1 was discontinuing the nursing services and WPS
was interested in hiring a part-time
nurse so the journey began.
What could you share as one of the
highlights while working at WPS. It
all started to fall into place beginning
around 2010. A group of young basketball players who begin their careers
playing together in 4th the 4th grade
made the fans sit up and take notice.
Now we are in the year 2015. I was
their school nurse and also a die hard
fan. Basketball game after basketball
became a win and then we are headed
to Lincoln to make History. A class C1
Championship. To this day I can still
hear the chants of all the fans, feel
the camaraderie and tell everyone that
wants to listen how the Winnebago
Boys Basketball team played Rez ball
and are now all legends. I lived it and
totally loved it and still do.
Take Care and Stay Safe, Nurse
Julie
This month I’d like to recognize Kade
Walker as one of our classrooms Star
Student. Kade has improved on his academics throughout the year. He tries his
best in Reading Mastery. Kade is kind
and considerate to staff members. He is
always trying to help out someone. Kade
also shows compassion to his peers. He
tries to help in any way he can. Kade’s
helpfulness in the classroom and improvements in his academics is why
he was chosen as a Star Student. He
amazes me every day!
From Mrs. Markve, Kade’s Math
Intervention Teacher:
Kade is a very hard worker. He
wants to make sure he always gets
the right answer and does his work
correctly. He is very sweet and has
a great personality. He is always up
for a challenge in math. Kade loves
to be a helper. He volunteers to stack
chairs for his peers and is the first to
get his table cleaned up and ready to
go. Kade also uses his manners daily
and never needs reminders. He is really fun to have in class.
From Rebecca Morrison, Kade’s
Mom:
Kade’s mom Rebecca wrote, “I am
proud of him for continuing to work
hard at what he wants. I hope he
continues his hard work to try and
do it again.”
Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021 — Page 9
TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
MID-MONTHLY TRIBAL COUNCIL
MEETING
May 17, 2021 via GoTo meeeting
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan
Rona Stealer
Lorelei DeCora
Thelma Whitewater
Aric Armell
Louis LaRose
Brian Chamberlain
John Snowball
OTHERS PRESENT:
Cecelia Earth
Alan Post
Teresa Littlegeorge
Esther Mercer
Kirby Williams
Matthew May
Jon Seagrass
Brandon Stout
Erika Dunn
Garan Coons
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Coly Brown (leave)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman
Kitcheyan called the meeting to order
at 5:03 p.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Aric Armell
offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Thelma Whitewater motioned to
approve the agenda with additions.
Aric Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
READING OF MINUTES:
May 10, 2021 Regular meeting
minutes
Thelma Whitewater motioned to
approve the May 10, 2021 Regular
meeting minutes. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
May 10, 2021 Land meeting minutes
Thelma Whitewater motioned
to approve the May 10, 2021 Land
meeting minutes. Louis LaRose
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
RATIFY FIVE SIGNATURES:
Adopt resolution #21-95: OVC
FY2021 Tribal Victim Services SetAside Formula Grant- Elder Abuse
Thelma Whitewater motioned
to ratify the five signature adopting resolution #21-95: OVC FY2021
Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside
Formula Grant- Elder Abuse. Aric
Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Adopt resolution #21-96: Authorization to Open Custodial Account
Louis LaRose motioned to adopt
resolution #21-96: Authorization to
Open Custodial Account. Lorelei
DeCora seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Legal Aid Services: Kirby Williams,
Jon Seagrass
Louis LaRose motioned to adopt
Resolution 21-97: Supporting Legal
Aid of Nebraska’s Application for
BJA Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal
Assistance Grant Funds. Thelma
Whitewater seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEMS:
LD – Tribal Facility wake/funeral
fees
Lorelei DeCora motioned to waive
charging a fee from Tribal members
for wake/funeral services being held
in tribal facilities. Thelma Whitewater seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
BC –Funeral Policy: Conducting
business during wake services. –
Discussion.
MMIW walk for Kozee DeCora –
Administrative Leave
Discussion regarding essential
personnel. No action taken.
TW - ARP plan: Community
members want to be included in the
discussions.
Thelma Whitewater motion to
make (3) three tribal consultations
for tribal members to have feedback
in the ARP plan and for the CEO to
make arrangements for public consultations. Aric Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Enrollment: updating Tribal member addresses
Thelma Whitewater motioned to
direct Garan Coons to place on the
Tribal Facebook page and Enrollment
to post notice in the WIN news to update addresses with Enrollment. Aric
Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Aric Armell motioned to adjourn.
Thelma Whitewater seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned
the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge,
Executive Assistant
CONCUR:
Lorelei DeCora, Secretary
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Winnebago Tribal Council
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
CEO REPORT MEETING
May 18, 2021 via GoTo Webinar
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan
Lorelei DeCora
Brian Chamberlain
John Snowball
Louis LaRose
Thelma Whitewater
Aric Armell
Coly Brown
OTHERS PRESENT:
Alan Post
Daryl LaPointe
Brandon Stout
Misty Jefferson
Esther Mercer
Chiara Cournoyer
Ireta Blackbird
Joy Johnson
Teresa Littlegeorge
Kim Sulsberger
Tyresha Wolfe
Garan Coons
Erika Dunn
Natalie Earth
Danie Green
Cheri Redhorn
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Rona Stealer (sick leave)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman
Kitcheyan called the meeting to order
at 10:09 a.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Louis LaRose
offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the agenda. Thelma Whitewater
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES:
CEO Report – presented by Esther
Mercer, some discussion.
CAO Report – presented by Esther
Mercer.
Physical Resources Report – presented by Ireta Blackbird
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
Winnebago Pow-wow Committee
Louis LaRose motioned to appoint
Misty Jefferson to the Winnebago Powwow Committee. Aric Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Wildlife & Parks Commission (5) applicants
Brian Chamberlain motioned to appoint James Price, Sr. to Wildlife & Parks
Commission. Lorelei DeCora seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to appoint Donald C. McCauley to the Wildlife
& Parks Commission. Thelma Whitewater seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Thelma Whitewater motioned to appoint Trey Blackhawk to the Wildlife
& Parks Commission. Lorelei DeCora
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Louis LaRose motioned to appoint
Zachery Allen to the Wildlife & Parks
Commission. Coly Brown seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
UTILITY BOARD
LEGAL REFERRAL APPROVAL
Brian Chamberlain motioned to
approve the Legal Referral to revise
the Utility Codes and Board to reflect
changes to services that the tribe will
be providing. Lorelei DeCora seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
POLICY APPROVALS:
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
POLICY-REVISION
Louis LaRose motioned to approve
the Independent Contractors Policy
revision. Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL
POLICY-REVISION
Aric Armell motioned to approve the
Infectious Disease Control Policy revision. Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
COVID-19 RELATED EMPLOYMENT
STATUS FOR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT
POSITIONS
Lorelei DeCora motioned to approve
“COVID-19 Related Employment Status for Tribal Government Positions”.
Thelma Whitewater seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
COVID-19 SCREENING, SYMPTOM
AND CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS POLICY
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve as submitted “COVID-19 Screen-
ing, Symptom and Confirmed Diagnosis Policy. Lorelei DeCora seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
TELECOMMUTING POLICY
Lorelei DeCora motioned to approve
the Telecommuting Policy revision.
Louis LaRose seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
STAFF RETREAT GUIDELINES
Thelma Whitewater motioned to
approve the Staff Retreat Guidelines
revisions. Aric Ar mell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ENROLLMENT DEPARTMENT:
Genealogist JD Approval & Org Chart
Aric Armell motioned to approve
the Genealogist Job Description and
Organization Chart for the Enrollment
Department. Lorelei DeCora seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Enrollment Budget Modification
Brian Chamberlain motioned to
approve the Enrollment Budget Modification as submitted. Louis LaRose
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
HUMAN SERVICES:
Early Childhood Program Manager
JD approval
Louis LaRose motioned to approve
the Early Childhood Program Manager
Job Description. Coly Brown seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Early Childhood Assistant Program
Manager JD Approval
Coly Brown motioned to approve
the Early Childhood Assistant Program
Manager Job Description. Aric Armell
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Human Services Org Chart Approval
Coly Brown motioned to approve the
revised Human Services Org Chart as
submitted. Lorelei DeCora seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
YCIC/YOUTH SHELTER:
Logo Approval
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the Logo for Winnebago Youth
Crisis Intervention Center and Youth
Shelter (Designed by Gabriel Long
Soldier of Lincoln, NE). Louis LaRose
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ROADS DEPARTMENT
Truck Driver Job Description Approval
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the Truck Driver Job Description
as submitted. Aric Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
General Laborer Job Description
Brian Chamberlain motioned to
approve the General Laborer Job Description as submitted. Louis LaRose
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Roads Department Org Chart Approval
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the Roads Department Organizational Chart as submitted. Louis LaRose
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
DEPAR TMENTAL SPOTLIGHT –
PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Presented
by Joy Johnson.
TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEMS:
Wage Freeze
Lorelei DeCora motioned to rescind
the motion “freeze all wages” made
during the Oct 3, 2016 Regular Tribal
Council meeting and to be in effect starting October 1, 2021. Brian Chamberlain
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Tribal Member Support Department
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the Administrative Organizational
Chart for Tribal Member Support Department. Louis LaRose seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to table
the remainder of the Tribal Member
Support Department position until it
is ready for approval. Aric Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
CEO requests an informal meeting
with the Tribal Council and CAO regarding this position.
Lorelei DeCora motioned to hold
an informal meeting with the CEO,
CAO and Tribal Council regarding
the Tribal Member Support Department position. Aric Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Return to Work Plan for WTN
Thelma Whitewater motioned to approve the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Return to Work Plan for Tribal Employees. Aric Armell seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Aric Armell motioned to adjourn.
Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned
the meeting at 1:14 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge,
Executive Assistant
CONCUR:
Lorelei DeCora, Secretary
Winnebago Tribal Council
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING
May 19, 2021 via GoTo meeting
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan
Lorelei DeCora
Louis LaRose
John Snowball
Thelma Whitewater
Rona Stealer (in late)
Aric Armell (in late)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brandon Stout
Garan Coons
Teresa Littlegeorge
Lynelle Blackhawk
Danelle Smith
Alan Post
Jennifer Beareagle
Josh Chamberlain
Wendy Helgemo
Erika Dunn
Denise Ballinger
Esther Mercer
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Brian Chamberlain (leave)
Coly Brown (leave)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman
Kitcheyan called the meeting to order at
10:05 am.
OPENING PRAYER: John Snowball
offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Louis LaRose motioned to approve the
agenda. Lorelei DeCora seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Rona and Aric in]
STANDING UPDATES: Presented by
Danelle Smith, Wendy Helgemo & Jennifer Beareagle
IOWA LAND LEGISLATION UPDATE:
OPIOID LITIGATION:
FLOOD CASE:
CONSULTATION LETTERS:
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE
V. BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF
MICHIGAN
Discussion only. No action taken.
OAK FLAT ACT LEGISLATION REQUEST:
Lorelei DeCora motioned to adopt resolution #21-98; Re-affirming Opposition
to Section 3003 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014;
Supporting Oak Flat Act legislation and
approving a letter of support to be sent
to our Nebraska Congressional Delegation by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska;
asking for their support of the Oak Flat
Act Legislation. Louis LaRose seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
USACE CONTACT ON MISSOURI
RIVER RELEASE:
Aric Armell motioned to authorize
General Counsel to draft a letter to the
Army Corp of Engineers for the Missiouri
River Release and to contact the South
Dakota Tribal Nations.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
HEMP COMMISSION FOLLOW-UP:
Still need to fill other seats in order
to complete the Training on the HEMP
commission. There are (2) two vacancies.
TRIBAL CODE REVIEW AND REVISION FOLLOW-UP:
Work group/Task Force, in order to
meet and update codes. Tribal Council,
CEO, CAO, and other Tribal Entities.
Aric Armell motioned to Direct General
Counsel to develop an outline of the Winnebago Tribal Codes to start review and
updates of tribal codes by tribal organization and entities. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
RESERVATIONLAND PURCHASEGENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Thelma Whitewater motioned to direct
the Land Management Department to
do a Title Search on the Anderson Land
Purchase. Aric Armell seconded.
OBJECT: Louis LaRose
VOTE: (5) yes, TW, AA, RS, LD, JSB
(1) no, LLR
(0) no Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Louis LaRose motioned to adjourn.
Thelma Whitewater seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the
meeting at 11:34 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Littlegeorge,
Executive Assistant
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
CONCUR:
Lorelei DeCora, Secretary
Winnebago Tribal Council
Page 10 — Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021
COMMUNITY NEWS
JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER
FROM THE ENROLLMENT DEPARTMENT
“We Need Your Input!
Please fill out the survey (scan QR code with smartphone). This
survey is in regards to the Covid-19 response and the American
Rescue Plan that was passed by Congress.
Be sure and update
your child’s address.
Clothing distribution
Is right around the corner.
SEND US AN EMAIL AT
enrollment@winnebagotribe.com
OR STOP BY THE OFFICE
Monday through Thursday
8AM-4:30PM
402-878-2028
See you soon!
Letter from Judge Vampola,
Other than my wife and the birth
of my four children, nothing has
changed my life more than my association with the Winnebago Tribe.
When I started as Tribal Prosecutor
in the summer of 1995, my priorities
in life were career, family, and faith.
In a very short time, I felt my priorities change order to faith, family,
and career. After nine years with the
Tribal Court, two years as Chair of the
Nebraska Board of Parole, and over
sixteen years as County Judge of the
Sixth Judicial District, my priorities
remain faith, family, and career, and I
remain closely connected to the Winnebago People. I will now share two of
my experiences that I recently spoke
about at the Fath erhood/Motherhood
is Sacred “Spirituality in Recovery”
Conference held at WinnaVegas, but
before I do so, I will repeat that I do
not feel worthy to receive such gifts of
friendship and spirituality.
My first spiritual encounter happened about a year after I started
with the Winnebago Tribal Court and
I had attended my first Homecoming
Celebration. I read accounts of Chief
Little Priest’s bravery in battles, and
that after being severely wounded
near Fort Tyndall on the Powder River,
he was brought back to Winnebago
where he died from his wounds. On a
whim, I drove to the Winnebago Cemetery to try to find where Little Priest
was buried. Since I knew that Little
Priest enlisted in Company “A” of the
Fort Omaha Scouts, I almost stopped
at the row of small white gravestones
and the American Flag as you enter
the cemetery. Instead, I drove up
the hill and parked under the cottonwood tree next to the gate. I then
got out of my car and walked up the
wooden steps directly to Little Priest’s
gravestone. (I later learned that is the
place he is honored, but not buried).
As I walked behind his stone and then
came around to face the inscriptions,
I was struck with what felt like a bolt
of emotional lightening. I experienced
a flash of anguish and sorrow that
drove me to the ground where I wept
aloud until I had no more tears to
shed. There was a breeze moving the
grass and trees, but I could not feel
it, nor did I have a sense of time. It
was the sound of a tractor mowing at
the base of the hill that brought me
back to an unnerved sense of reality.
I immediately headed back to my office and shut the door to try to understand my experience at Little Priest’s
marker. Meanwhile, the Court Bailiff,
John Earth, was at home on vacation
when he turned to his wife and said he
needed to go to the Court because he
felt the need to be there. He knocked
on my door and came in to ask what
had happened. After I told him, he
said it was a powerful event and that
he needed to share it with others. On
September 12, 1996, I was honored
to participate in a sunrise memorial
to commemorate 130 years after Little
Priest’s passing. After 25 years, I still
take tobacco to Little Priest’s marker
to pray when I visit Winnebago.
In the fall of 1996, I stopped cutting my hair and was blessed with
the opportunity to listen to tribal elders to learn more about Winnebago
culture and traditions, including
the Ho-Chunk “People of the Sacred
Voice” language. Back then, it was
easy for me to adopt the solitude of
Native prayer because I was not comfortable praying in front of people.
Then the Four Directions came to
me in a dream. I was standing in
a void like the absolute darkness of
space without stars. East, South,
West, and North slowly surrounded
me. Other than the directions they
came from, they were almost identical silhouettes centered in a brilliant
light. Their long white hair formed
a silver halo that waved in a gentle
breeze that I did not feel. Then they
spoke in unison and instructed me
“to cut a prayer staff” as high as I
could reach. At eye level, I was to
carve the Cross of Christ; one for
each of the Four Directions. Then
in front and below the crosses, I was
to carve the words “IN HIS NAME”.
The Directions faded from sight and
I awoke from the dream.
The next morning, I immediately
sought out an elder who shook his
head and told me the dream was
powerful from the “old ways” when
the clans would come to the Council
Fire. Each of the clans would have a
staff that was held by the leader as
he addressed the other clans. I cut
the staff from a dogwood tree and
placed it in the corner of my Tribal
Court office where it sprouted a small
branch before it dried out. I now
keep the staff at home and offer up
special prayers.
At first, I was confused about my
prayer staff dream that combined
the “old ways” of the Tribe with my
Catholic upbringing. As time passed,
I began to understand that I am very
blessed with both faith and spirituality. My faith is centered in the
Church and my spirituality is centered in Winnebago. Given the opportunity, I openly share both when
speaking, teaching, and counseling
others. For example, I recently had
a young man in my juvenile court
who openly refused to participate in
any of the court-ordered services to
help him with truancy and uncontrollable behavior. I knew his family
was part Native American. With the
permission of the parties involved in
the proceedings, I took him back to
show him my office and to talk with
him. When we sat down, I asked him
to look around and describe what
stood out. He said he saw photos of
many children, photos and statues
of eagles, my Daniel LongSoldier
painting of a fancy dancer, and a
large photo of my Special Forces
son (enrolled Chickasaw) under
a parachute canopy flying a huge
American Flag over the Arizona
desert. I told him about some of
my experiences in Winnebago and
that he needed to embrace his Native American heritage and set the
example for his younger siblings. I
gave him a small eagle statue and a
small amount of tobacco for prayer.
We shook hands, then he sat back
down and asked to hear more stories.
After sharing more time together, we
went back to my juvenile courtroom
where he hugged his mother and
cried. I promised him that when he
completes probation and he is no
longer under the court’s jurisdiction,
I would take him to Winnebago to
meet some very special people to give
him guidance.
Notice
The Thurston County Clerk’s office is seeking applications for a
payroll/accounting position in the Clerk’s office. Please contact Tammy
Moore, Thurston County Clerk at 402-385-2343 for more information or
for an application.
Position open until filled.
Equal Opportunity Employer, preference to veterans.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. CV21-090AB
In the Matter of the
Name Change Petition of:
MALKIJAH LOPEZ,
OMERIANNAH LOPEZ
to MALKIJAH YELLOWBANK,
OMERIANNAH YELLOWBANK
To: ELISIA LOPEZ,
ANY INTERESTED PARTIES,
You are hereby notified that a petition for Name Change has been filed
and a hearing concerning the above
referred Individual in case no. CV21090AB has been scheduled and will be
heard in the Winnebago Tribal Court
of Winnebago, Nebraska on the 27TH
day of JULY, 2021 at the hour of 11:30
A.M.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. CV21-039
In the Matter of the
Guardianship Petition of:
ADRIANNA KINGSFORD
In Re:
M. M. (Born 07/2011)
TO: BRIANNA BLACKBIRD, Mother
MARCELL MORRIS aka
MARC HANSLIP, Father
POTENTIAL FATHERS
You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed for Guardianship
and a hearing concerning the above
referred Individual(s) in Case No.
CV21-039 has been scheduled and
will be heard in the Winnebago Tribal
Court of Winnebago, Nebraska on the
27th day of JULY, 2021 at the hour of
11:00 A.M.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. CV21-076
In the Matter of the
Guardianship Petition of:
MARCELLA SMITH
In Re:
E. B. (Born 2/2018)
TO: FELICIA BLACKHAWK, Mother
You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed for Guardianship
and a hearing concerning the above
referred Individual(s) in Case No.
CV21-076 has been scheduled and
will be heard in the Winnebago Tribal
Court of Winnebago, Nebraska on the
27th day of JULY, 2021 at the hour of
10:30 A.M.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. CV21-080
In the Matter of the
Guardianship Petition of:
PAMELA ALDRICH
In Re:
A. T. (Born 7/2018)
TO:
SARAH THOMAS, Mother
ALL POTENTIAL FATHERS
You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed for Guardianship
and a hearing concerning the above
referred Individual(s) in Case No. CV21080 has been scheduled and will be
heard in the Winnebago Tribal Court
of Winnebago, Nebraska on the 3RD
day of AUGUST, 2021 at the hour of
11:00 A.M.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. CV21-057
In the Matter of the
Name Change Petition of:
MELODY JANAE SAUL
to MELODY JANAE LAPOINTE
To:
ANY INTERESTED PARTIES
You are hereby notified that a petition for Name Change has been filed
and a hearing concerning the above
referred Individual in case no. CV21057 has been scheduled and will be
heard in the Winnebago Tribal Court
of Winnebago, Nebraska on the 19TH
day of JULY, 2021 at the hour of
11:00 A.M.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing
Case No. JFJ21-011
The People of the Winnebago Tribe
In the Interest of:
J. W. (Born 8/2018)
Jerrine Whitewater, Mother
To:
TYRAN SAUNSOCI, Father
POTENTIAL FATHERS
You are hereby notified that a hearing for Initial Appearance concerning
the above referred minor individual(s)
in case no. JFJ21-011 has been
scheduled and will be heard in the
Winnebago Tribal Court of Winnebago,
Nebraska on the 20TH day of JULY,
2021 at the hour of 1:00 P.M.
The Winnebago Tribal Council is 100% AGAINST Meth. Not only is Meth
harmful to the individual, it destroys families and our community. Meth
use is not the HoChunk/Winnebago way of life. On 12-30-19, during the
Winnebago Mid-monthly Tribal Council meeting, a motion was passed to
publish all meth related offenses occurring on the Winnebago reservation,
in the Winnebago Indian News.
The following individual(s) has been arrested for a meth offense…
As of 06-8-2021, there are no recent meth arrest(s) to report.
Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, June 12, 2021 — Page 11
2021 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Wayne State College 2021 Graduate: Kaira Wolfe
2021 Homer Community Preschool Graduates
Kaiden Payer and Edyn Hunter-Maxwell
B.S. Early Childhood Inclusive
Mrs. Lange’s Star Student: Ahizhide Sheridan
eager to do any assignment that he
is given, and has improved with his
writing on the assignments. Ahzihde
always has a smile on his face. He
is happy for everyone, showing the
BAGO Way during the day.
Congratulations to 2nd Lt. Daniel Alvarado
This month I would like to recognize Ahizhide Sheridan as one of
our Star Student’s. Ahizhide earned
the Star Student by working hard
in class with his Reading and Math.
He has mastered all of his Reading
Mastery tests, and is a pro at blending his letters to make a word. He is
From Mrs. Markve, Ahizhide’s
Math Intervention Teacher:
Ahizhide is really fun to have in
class. He loves to give compliments
to others and gets along great with
his classmates. He is always in a
great mood. He works very hard
on his math in my classroom. He
never gets frustrated or upset if we
need to practice or fix a problem.
He holds the door for others and
always shows compassion for other
students if they are upset or have
a problem. Ahizhide also shows
great sportsmanship. He is the first
to congratulate others if we have
a math competition and one of his
peers wins.
June Star Student
Mrs. Lange chose Niya Sausnsoci as another Star Student this month.
Niya has shown kindness to everyone. She has a sweet attitude and a love
for everyone. Niya has shown growth in her reading skills this school year.
She loves learning and being at school. Congrats Niya!
2021 U.S. Military Academy at West Point Graduate
Noel, Niya’s mom said:
Niya is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. I love the way she carries herself
and is so helpful, loving and smart. She loves to play with her brother, Parish
, or act like a (big girl) with her sister Hayley and go for rides, listen to music,
paint with her or draw with chalk. She loves to swim and always enjoys dad
reading to her…she really is a big Daddy’s girl.
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.