Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska • Volume 52, Number 21 • Saturday, October 14, 2023
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Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska • Volume 52, Number 21 • Saturday, October 14, 2023
Winnebago Election Results, Eugene DeCora Earns Top Vote
& Victoria Kitcheyan Retains Chair
Back row (L to R): Coly Brown - Member, Kenny Mallory - Member, Aric Armell - Member, Eugene DeCora - Member
Front row (L to R): Rona Stealer - Treasurer, Isaac Smith - Vice-Chairman, Victoria Kitcheyan - Chairwoman, Lorelei DeCora - Secretary
Thursday October 5th Winnebago
public Health Department and Health
Education held a walk for Breast Cancer
Awareness Month. Attendees walked to
the BIA & back for a nice t-shirt and were
able to learn more about the signs and
symptoms to look for as well as made aware
of mammogram appointments available at
12 Clans Unity Hospital. Les & Silas were
present keeping the guests entertained &
informed as usual!
Written by WIN Circulation Manager
Tyler Snake
October 4th The Winnebago Tribal
Council held a Swearing-In Ceremony &
Election of Officers for the newly elected
Council members: Victoria Kitcheyan,
Lorelei DeCora and Eugene DeCora Sr.
Located in the Black Hawk Community
Center gym the Welcome Song was sung
by a group of Winnebago Singers: Kunu
Dave Russell, Mel Frenchman, OC Earth,
Jeff Berridge, VJ Wolfleader, Lewis St.
Cyr, Craig Cleveland, Trey Blackhawk
gathered by Kunu Dave. Following the
song, the flags were posted by members
of the Veterans association, Gordon Rave
& Randy Decora. A prayer and “love one
another” song was shared by the HoChunk Immersion classroom.
Taking the podium, Judge Jordan
Zendejas called the meeting to order by
swearing in the new members. All three
members raised their right hand and took
oath of defending the constitution and
bylaws of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Following, nominations for the Tribal
Chairperson were requested by Judge
Zendejas, Lorelei DeCora nominated
Victoria Kitcheyan as Chairwoman of the
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Aric Armell
then nominated Isaac Smith as Vice Chairman, Seconded by Rona Stealer. Kenny
Mallory motioned to cease nominations
and Lorelei DeCora seconded, making
Isaac Smith Vice Chair by acclimation.
Councilman Kenny Mallory nominated
Rona Stealer as Treasurer, Seconded
by Eugene DeCora. Motion to cease
nominations by Eric Armell, seconded by
Isaac Smith. By acclimation Rona Stealer
continues as Treasurer. Kitcheyan calls for
nominations for Secretary, Rona Stealer
nominates Lorelei DeCora, Seconded by
Eugene DeCora. By acclimation Lorelei
DeCora continues as Secretary.
Victoria Chairwoman shares her continued commitment to the council and
the people, quoted “there’s no I, it’s often
Con’t. on page 4...
Three Nebraska tribes buying back farmland, attempting to
reverse history
Pictured above are WPS’s 2023 Homecoming Royalty! Freshman: Jolon Blackbird
and Manape Masquat. Sophomores: HoHump Snake and Jenna Payer. Juniors:
Jon Earth, Thomas Walker, Ylaina Frazier
and Haylie Lovejoy. Seniors: Lorde-Oscar
Earth, Lady-Darian Earth, Duke-Timothy
LaPointe, Dutchess-Misty Eagle, PrinceKaden Kennedy, Princess-LeAngela
Robinson-Lincoln, King-Zayne Bassette
and Queen-Amiah Tyndall. Congrats to all
the Royalty! Shown below are pictures of
the parade
By Destiny Herbers of Flatwater Free
Press
Winnebago — Aaron LaPointe sits
behind a desk in the Little Priest Tribal
College’s library basement, ready to
speak to a class in a new program he
helped develop – diversified agriculture.
He’s here, on this 100-degree August
day, to show these high school and
college students – the future of the
Winnebago Tribe, he believes – how HoChunk Farms, the tribe’s farming company, is changing the face of agriculture
on their reservation.
“When you asked a student at my high
school what a farmer looks like they would
tell you a white guy with cowboy boots and
a cowboy hat on,” said LaPointe, senior
director of business operations for HoChunk, Inc. “They didn’t see themselves
as farmers, they just thought that’s what
the white guys do. And we just let them
use our land to do that.”
That perception is rooted in a century of
reality. The tribe only owns roughly 27,000
acres of its 120,000-acre reservation, after U.S. government actions that directly
or indirectly led its farmland to pass into
non-Native hands — mostly white farmers.
But that reality is starting to change.
In the past five years, three Nebraska
tribes – the Winnebago, the Iowa Tribe of
Kansas and Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe
of Nebraska – have bought an estimated
3,000 acres, total, of farmland that was
once theirs.
Despite the tribes’ recent financial
successes — or perhaps, in part, because
of them — the process has been neither
cheap nor easy. Tribal leaders say white
landowners who know that buying back
land is a priority believe the tribes can and
will pay any price.
All three tribes are paying prices that
are higher than normal, according to a
Flatwater Free Press analysis of data gathered by a University of Nebraska-Lincoln
journalism class.
The Winnebago Tribe spent near-
ly $10,000 per acre, on average, to
buy back 340 acres of ag land.
That’s about $3,000 higher than the
northeast region’s 2022 average.
Ho-Chunk leaders like LaPointe think the
higher prices and headaches are worth it.
(Editor’s note: Ho-Chunk Inc. is a Flatwater
Free Press sponsor.)
“We want to start farming our own
reservation. We want to own our reservation again,” LaPointe said.
Reservation, not reserved
Just after the Civil War, the United States
government attempted to completely upend the way most Native American tribes
lived – including the way they viewed land.
The General Allotment Act of 1887,
commonly known as the Dawes Act,
tried to force assimilation by splitting the
previously communally owned reservation into 160-acre pieces of farmland,
individually owned by tribal members.
The government then sold the leftover
Con’t. on page 4...
Visit us at winnebagotribe.com
Page 2 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, October 14, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Saturday, October 14, 2023 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 3
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
JESUS OUR SAVIOR
LUTHERAN OUTREACH
It is a consolation for the dejected
“God-fearing Earnest Prayer”
A God-fearing man once wrote these
words:”If someone wants to describe
adequately the usefulness of Godfearing, earnest prayer, he will, in
my opinion, surely find a beginning
more easily than a conclusion. Godfearing prayer offered in faith is familiar
conversation with God.
It is a salutary remedy to all the
difficulties of life.
and it is a delight for the holy.
It upholds the world and rescues people.
It is a joy for the heart and a jubilation for
the mind.
It follows God’s gifts of grace, and it
leads ahead into glory.
It is a garden of happiness and a tree full
of delights.
It calms the conscience and increases
our thankfulness.
It shows us how much we depend on
God.
It sends demons running and draws
angels close.
It is a shield for our defense.
It is a soothing remedy for the
misfortunes of this life
and the sweet of the sacrifice of
thanksgiving.
It is refreshment in the heat of
misfortune;
it is medicine during illness.
It is a foretaste of the life to come
It is a winch, drawing us to heaven.
It is a a vessel that draws water from the
font of divine kindness.
It is a sword against the devil.
It is a defense against misfortune.
It is a wind that blows away evil;
it brings earthly benefits.
It is a nurse that nurtures virtues and
conquers faults.
It is a great fortification for the soul.
It gives free access to God.
It is a spiritual feast and a heavenly
delicacy.
By: Pastor Ricky Jacob
and it sweetens the bitterness of death.
Whoever is truly a child of God through
faith will, with childlike trust, address
his or her heavenly Father every day
in prayer. The one in whose heart the
Holy Spirit has made His home will, as
a spiritual priest, daily offer to God this
incense of prayer.’
I would add one important part to an
earnest God-fearing prayer. I would
add that it is only through the Son of
God, Jesus, that one has access to our
heavenly Father.
SUICIDE IN INDIAN COUNTRY PART 35
Direct communication may help you get what you need.
While it may be hard for you to talk about what happened, it is also important
for you to try your best to be direct in communicating what you need. It may
seem obvious to you, but others may not understand or know the best way to
support you. This period can be challenging because you might want to ask
people for help, but you don’t’ want to scare anyone if you’re still struggling.
This is especially true if you’re concerned that people might overreact and
insist on care in a hospital when you believe you just need more support and
understanding.
A system for monitoring the intensity of your suicidal thoughts, should you
have them, can help you notice if things are getting better or worse. It can
help you communicate how much assistance you need from those supporting
you. Using a scale from 1 to 5 (with 1 being minimal distress or no thoughts of
suicide and 5 being extreme distress and thoughts of imminent suicide) can
make it easier to express how you’re feeling.
Take note of not only what’s going on around you and through your mind
when you’re at a “4” or a “5”, but also when you’re at a “1” or a “2”. These
may be the situations, people, or strengths that will help you get through the
hard days.
Support can make things easier.
It might be hard at first, but having someone you feel comfortable talking
to after your attempt is very important. You may face some challenges as you
move forward; knowing there is at least one person you can turn to will make
the road to recovery less daunting. Being alone with suicidal thoughts can
be dangerous. Having supportive people around you and educating them on
how to help you can be a crucial part of staying safe.
Ask yourself, “What do I need from a support person?”
Different people need different things after a suicide attempt, so make sure
the person you choose meets your unique needs. Maybe you need someone
who will listen to you without judgment, or maybe you need someone who will
come and be with you when you’re feeling alone. Perhaps it would be helpful
to have someone close to you who can go with you to appointments, or perhaps you want to schedule regular phone calls with a trusted friend. No matter
what kind of assistance you need, it’s helpful to have at least one person with
whom you can share your thoughts of suicide—someone who will stay calm
and help you when you need support. Once you know what you need, it may
be easier to find someone to help. And remember, because you might not
get everything you need from one person, it can helpful to have a variety of
people available to support you, if possible.
Tips for asking for help:
When you ask for help, let people know you are dedicated to safety but
need their assistance to maintain that commitment. For example:
“Mom, I want to keep myself safe, but I am feeling really depressed right
now. Do you think we can just talk for a while?
Be direct. It may seem obvious to you that you need support, but others
may not understand or know how to help you. Asking for what you need
specifically can help others respond appropriately.
“I’ve been having a hard time figuring out how to get to my doctor’s appointment. Could you help me?”
Know the strengths and limitations of the people in your support system.
It’s good to know who can help you with what.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), Winnebago
Behavioral Health 1-402-878-2911, After Hours Crisis # 1-712-259-3263.
The next issue of the WINNEBAGO INDIAN NEWS will be published on October 28, 2023. DEADLINE for this issue will be October 24, 2023.
——————————————————
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.
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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.
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Phone: 402-878-2272
................................................................Editor
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Page 4 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, October 14, 2023
COMMUNITY
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somebody else that were trying to carry out wishes/prayers, so I just want to say
that in a really humbly way that I take this seriously and that this is something bigger
than any of us, this is about the survival of our people, and I hope that I can be a
positive impact on your lives and on the tribes work.”
Secretary Lorelei DeCora took the podium to express her gratitude in the work
taken to “build survival mechanisms for the future so that our little ones here that
prayed and sang to us have a good life, basic human needs: land, clean air, clean
water, our ways- our Ho-Chunk ways, food, housing. Those are what we are charged
to continue working on by us sitting at this circle.”.
Newly elected Tribal Councilman Eugene DeCora thanks the younger generation
for exercising their right to vote, quoted “I hope that holds true for the future and then
beyond that shows our younger membership has taken interest in what happens
at the table, within our own community” and “ I think that’s going to lead us into the
future and put us in a good, better place”.
Commencement of the Ceremony finished with a Honor song by the gathered
drum group of Winnebago singers followed by the flag song for the retreating flags
to adjourn the meeting. Congratulations to the three elected Tribal Council members
and everyone who voted!
“Move Aside,” New Ad Campaign for
American Indian College Fund,
Highlights Potential of Tribal College Graduates in
Workplace
By: Dina Horwedel
Denver, Colo., October 9, 2023 —
At the heart of the American Indian
College Fund’s latest PSA campaign,
“Move Aside,” is the unwavering
potential of tribal college students.
Launching on Indigenous Peoples’
Day in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy Portland, the campaign shines
a light on the growing number of Native Americans with college degrees
(more than 300,000) while centering
on and celebrating the Indigenous
experience.
W+K Creative Director Patty Orlando and creative team members
Robin Maxkii and Brad Trost saw an
opportunity to create something unapologetically Native — by subverting
the formal and outdated everyday
symbolism and language of corporate
America and breaking tribal stereotypes. Directed by Erica Tremblay
of the Seneca-Cayuga (most notably
known for her film, Fancy Dance), the
film is based on the simple concept of
bringing to life a cover letter, where we
witness a Native graduate (her character played by Reservation Dogs’
Elva Guerra) preparing to take on her
promising future ahead.
Guerra’s character explains that she
has over 20,000 years of experience
and mentoring from the generations
of Native elders’ hands who came
before her. Tribal colleges helped her
develop her skills; her culture helped
her develop her knowledge; and in
the final scene, she looks forward to
taking this job opportunity—and other
applicants can “Move Aside” — as
seen in the ending tagline.
While creating the film, the W+K
trio ensured every detail of the campaign was rooted in Native culture
by presenting traditional elements in
authentic and unexpected ways. The
Indigenous crew, wardrobe, production design and props, and even the
iconic muscle car symbolize freedom,
happiness, and confidence.
“The campaign line is ‘Move Aside’
and that is what we tried to do. Rather
than working in our usual way, we
engaged an up-and-coming director
from Reservation Dogs, Erica Tremblay,” Orlando said. “From there things
just fell into place as she brought in
Indigenous crew partners and actress,
Elva Guerra, from Oklahoma. The
shoot took on a life of its own, with Erica calling out crew calls in her native
Iroquoian language. I think you can
feel all these decisions and intentions
in the finished work.”
In addition to being used by the
College Fund to promote tribal education awareness and the great potential
of its graduates, the “Move Aside”
campaign will also be used by tribal
colleges and universities to promote
and market their institutions to their
surrounding communities. Beyond the
film, the campaign also has extensions
in social media, online banner advertisements, and out-of-home advertising placements in Times Square and
on a billboard in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route, to show
employers the promising prospects
graduating from tribal colleges.
“I’m a former tribal college student
and remember applying for a College
Fund scholarship after seeing a campaign poster in the hallway at school
— and now, I get to work on those very
campaigns,” said Maxkii. “I don’t think
I have fought harder for any creative
the way that I fight for Indigenous work
because I know the impact this work
has had and will have. As an Indigenous kid, it meant so much to me to
see myself reflected in something —
so I strive to continue to do the same
by continuing to create authentic and
dynamic Indigenous representation
into my own work today.”
The launch of this campaign coincides with the two-year anniversary of
W+K co-founder and longtime College
Fund friend and ally, David Kennedy’s
passing. After nearly 35 years of partnership, the “Move Aside” campaign
is the first work that Kennedy has not
played an active role in since the start
of the relationship. While on set, Orlando and Producer, Jeff Selis, marveled
at how Kennedy would have loved this
work and how his legacy lives on.
Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and
CEO of the American Indian College
Fund, said, “The arts and stories that
are embodied in the “Move Aside”
campaign are so reflective of the joyful
and inclusive way that Native people
engage with education and opportunity. Once again, the College Fund,
with our great allies at W+K and our
deep relationships with Native artists
and actors, demonstrates through film
that we are here to offer our knowledge
and talents for a better society.”
Current and future American Indian
college students can learn how to
apply for scholarships at https://collegefund.org/students/scholarships/.
Tribal colleges and universities can
contact the American Indian College
Fund at 303-426-8900 to receive campaign materials.
About the American Indian College
Fund — The American Indian College
Fund has been the nation’s largest
charity supporting Native higher
education for 34 years. The College
Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4 million in
scholarships and other direct student
support to American Indian students
in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989
the College Fund has provided more
than $319 million in scholarships,
programs, community, and tribal
college support. The College Fund
also supports a variety of academic
and support programs at the nation’s
35 accredited tribal colleges and
universities, which are located on or
near Indian reservations, ensuring
students have the tools to graduate
and succeed in their careers. The
College Fund consistently receives
top ratings from independent charity
evaluators and is one of the nation’s
top 100 charities named to the Better
Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the
American Indian College Fund, please
visit www.collegefund.org.
About Wieden+Kennedy — Wieden+Kennedy is an independent,
global creative company that has
partnered with some of the world’s
most well-known, exciting brands for
over forty years. Offering world class
creative, media, social, design and
strategy operations, W+K is driven
by a core mission—use creativity
and influence to transform brands,
make change in the world and impact
culture.
land to non-Native settlers.
“At one point we owned 100% of
our reservation, until the federal government thought ‘Oh, this guy’s got
maybe too much land, let’s take some
of that from them,’” LaPointe said.
Native Americans had no concept of land
as property, said Ted Hibbeler, member of
the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Tribal Extension Educator at UNL. Tribes identified with
territories through their creation stories,
and built relationships with that land over
thousands of years, but they did not view
land as a form of money or power.
More reservation land was lost when
tribal members grew financially desperate.
One example: After the land allotment, members of the Iowa Tribe of
Kansas and Nebraska shopped for necessities in White Cloud, Kansas. When
they couldn’t afford groceries at one
store, the grocer convinced them to
sign over land as a promise to repay.
“They needed food, and that’s just what
they had to do,” said Tony Fee, secretary of
the Iowa Tribe. “This individual got them to
sign it over as collateral … and they never
could afford to get it back. So they lost it.”
Today, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and
Nebraska owns about half of its 12,000acre reservation, with Native and non-Native land ownership checkerboarded
throughout.
On the Winnebago reservation,
many families lost their land back paying unfamiliar taxes, or sold the land
to cover medical bills, LaPointe said.
In Trust
Today, even tribal members who own
their own farmland can’t use it as collateral
to finance equipment or other purchases. It
also can’t be easily bought or sold. That’s
because for almost a century the land has
been held in trust, another consequence
of American history.
As more tribal members were forced to
sell their land to pay bills, the 1934 Indian
Reorganization Act put all remaining Native-owned allotments in trust indefinitely.
It limited the jurisdiction of each tribe to
only the land held in trust – not the original
reservation boundaries.
By that point, though, an estimated
90 million acres had been removed from
Native ownership, according to the Indian
Land Tenure Foundation.
Leadership of the Winnebago Tribe
today mostly want reservation land to
stay in trust, LaPointe said, where it is
under full tribal control and not taxed.
But it’s difficult to start farming if you own
land in trust, LaPointe said, because that
land can’t be used to get an operating loan
at the bank. Farm equipment is costly, he
said – a used combine can cost Ho-Chunk
Farms around $400,000.
“It really puts tribes in a tough situation,”
LaPointe said. “You can look at how much
tribal trust land is farmed or row cropped
by tribes, it’s very small. … A lot of it, it’s
just cash leased out, because that’s the
only real value it has.”
Ho-Chunk Farms created a compromise, using cash backing from Ho-Chunk
Inc.’s other businesses as capital to rent
out tribal land currently in trust.
“We’re owned by the tribe, so if we’re
making money, they’re making money too,”
LaPointe said.
Ho-Chunk Farms is now farming 6,500
acres, almost all of the available tribal
owned land and allotment land.
“We’ve gotten to the point where
our only expansion is based on land
acquisition, and it’s tough,” LaPointe
said, “With the land markets right now,
I mean, they’re crazy high … so it’s
really hard to buy ground right now.”
Sticker shock
In the past few years, both the Iowa
Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and the
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska have made
small and large land purchases. The Iowa
Tribe added 4 acres next to some land it
already owned. The Ponca made a 36-acre
land buy.
Neither is notable, except for the price
tag: More than $43,000 per acre.
“I don’t see too many places where anything approaching that happens,” said Cris
Stainbrook, Oglala Lakota and president
of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. “I
mean, $40,000 an acre is a lot.”
Farmland prices in Nebraska have risen
across the board in recent years alongside
the commodity market. According to UNL’s
2022 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report,
the highest quality irrigated land in the
state is sold for around $11,000 an acre.
In north and southeast Nebraska, though,
where the Winnebago and Iowa are buying, average acre values range closer to
$7,000.
Those tribes often pay far more than
that. In fact, every piece of reservation
land the Iowa Tribe buys is priced higher
than what similar land sells for, Fee said.
“The commodity prices, even though
they’re up, don’t justify much more than
$10,000 an acre on really prime farmland,”
Stainbrook said.
Racism is an underlying reason for
higher land prices, Stainbrook said. He has
seen sales where the asking price dropped
dramatically when a non-Native organization was the buyer. Other sales happened
when the original seller asked a Native tribe
for a sky-high price, passed away, and then
relatives sold it at a more reasonable rate.
“When we’re helping (tribes) get land
back there’s this underlying thought that if
the tribe wants it bad enough, they’ll pay
anything for it, or they must have a casino
somewhere and therefore they can afford
to pay more,” Stainbrook said.
Sales on tribal land are sometimes
disincentivized by existing tax policies,
like capital gains, LaPointe said, because
the original sales happened for such little
money that the taxes would be disproportionately high.
Sellers may face higher capital gains
or estate taxes if they inherited the
land from the original homesteader,
Stainbrook said, but tribes shouldn’t
be paying more because the current
owner has to pay taxes on the sale.
“Do you think they sell it to another
non-Indian and tell them, ‘Well, you’ll
have to pay X amount more because
of our capital gains’?” Stainbrook said.
Another reason for the high
prices is the high demand.
One of the last pieces of reservation land
the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
bought was offered to another individual
right before the sale, Fee said, so the tribe’s
only option was to give more money to get
the land.
“They got us over the barrel if we want
it. I mean, then they know we want it. We
want it bad enough. We’re gonna pay for
it,” Fee said, “To me, that’s not the right
way, but we really don’t have a choice.”
The Iowa Tribe didn’t have many opportunities to buy land four or five years ago,
when values were cheaper, but now that
prices have risen everywhere, sellers are
offering up their land if the price is right.
“The tribe does feel that we should do
everything we can to try to get the land
back,” Fee said. “And we’re just doing what
we can to work toward that.”
Food as sovereignty
For Trey Blackhawk, manager of the
nonprofit Winnebago Tribal Farm, acquiring more farmland is a path toward food
sovereignty, a way for the tribe to feed itself
without relying on outside sources.
On a plot of around 40 acres, the farm,
founded in 2018, grows fruit and vegetables, as well as traditional Indian corn that
is used by tribal members in ceremonies.
“Hopefully in the future, the 5 to 10 year
plan is to move towards a food co-op for the
tribe,” Blackhawk said. “I think that would
be really good and actually utilize all the
local farmers.”
The nearest grocery stores to the Winnebago reservation are in Sioux City, Iowa.
Tribe members drive 20 to 30 miles each
way to get their groceries.
Blackhawk is hoping to both lessen
the commute and lead tribe members to
a new way of thinking about their food,
where sustainably and locally grown is a
possibility and a priority.
“I think the pandemic helped people
realize that we’re not very sovereign.
We can’t even feed ourselves, really,”
LaPointe said. “All these shortages were
happening and we’re like, geez, we’re
really dependent on a lot of people for our
food sources.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 49%
of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives
experienced food insecurity, according to
a survey conducted by the Native American Agriculture Fund.
“That number is very high, it’s significant,” said Whitney Sawney, a citizen of
the Cherokee Nation and director of communications and policy for NAAF.
Investments in Native agricultural infrastructure and operations help tribes to
keep food production local so tribes can
support their communities, Sawney said.
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
farms about 4,500 acres of their land, Fee
said, with the goal of food sovereignty.
The tribe is moving toward regenerative
agriculture, using native plant species,
natural fertilizers and beekeeping to grow
nutrient dense foods.
On the Winnebago reservation,
LaPointe often visits classes at Little
Priest Tribal College, presenting farming
as a way to feed the tribe. It’s also a good
career opportunity for the students’ future.
At 32, LaPointe is the second oldest
Ho-Chunk Farms employee. Young tribe
members are becoming interested in
agriculture, and LaPointe believes they
can be the next generation of farmers.
“That’s why I say land acquisition is so
important for us, because our growth is
dependent on it,” LaPointe said. “If I’m
going to create jobs for this next generation
of people that are getting educated in this
field, we need to be moving forward by
growing our acre base.”
Saturday, October 14, 2023 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 5
TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES
...Con’t. from 9-16-23 issue...
sioner.
Aric Armell motioned to approve the
agenda. Isaac Smith seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Aric Armell motioned to go into Executive Session at 1:10 a.m. Isaac Smith
seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Kenneth Mallory motioned to
come out of Executive Session at
2:26 p.m. Louis LaRose seconded.
VOTE: (7) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Brian Chamberlain in at 1:11 p.m.]
Aric Armell motioned that the Winnebago Gaming Commission is authorized to make revisions to its policy and
bring them back to the Tribal Council by
30 days. Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (8) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Aric Armell motioned to add a
4th Gaming Commissioner immediately. Isaac Smith seconded.
VOTE: (8) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to authorize the Secretary to take all actions
necessary to effectuate the advertising
of the 4th Gaming Commissioner open
until filled. Isaac Smith seconded.
VOTE: (8) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Kenneth Mallory motioned to adjourn at 2:44 p.m. Brian Chamberlain
seconded.
VOTE: (8) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorelei DeCora, Secretary
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
MID-MONTHLY TRIBAL COUNCIL
MEETING
September 18, 2023
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan
Brian Chamberlain
Rona Stealer
Coly Brown
Kenneth Mallory
OTHERS PRESENT:
Kellie Snow
Christina Parker
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Lorelei DeCora (leave)
Aric Armell (leave)
Isaac Smith (leave)
Louis LaRose (leave)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman
Kitcheyan called to order at 5:09 p.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Kenneth Mallory
offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the agenda. Coly Brown seconded.
VOTE:
(4) yes (0) no ( 0 )
abstain Motion carried.
READING OF THE MINUTES:
August 31, 2023, Treasurer’s Report
meeting minutes
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the August 31, 2023, Treasurer’s Report
meeting minutes. Coly Brown seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
August 31, 2023, General Counsel
meeting minutes
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the August 31, 2023, General Counsel
meeting minutes. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
September 6, 2023, Regular Tribal
Council meeting minutes
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the September 6, 2023, Regular Tribal
Council meeting minutes. Rona Stealer
seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
September 6, 2023, Reconvened General Counsel meeting minutes
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the September 6, 2023, Reconvened
General Counsel meeting minutes. Rona
Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
September 12, 2023, Physical Resources Report meeting minutes
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the September 12, 2023, Physical Resources Report meeting minutes. Coly
Brown seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
September 13, 2023, CEO Report
meeting minutes
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the September 13, 2023, CEO Report
meeting minutes. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
September 14, 2023, Special meeting
-Law Enforcement minutes
Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve
the September 14, 2023, Special Meeting
– Law Enforcement minutes. Coly Brown
seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
RATIFY FIVE SIGNATURES:
Adopt resolution #23-189: FY2024
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska – CERCLA
Section 128(a) Tribal Response Program
– Brownfields.
Rona Stealer motioned to ratify the
five-signature adopting resolution #23189: FY2024 Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska – CERCLA Section 128(a) Tribal
Response Program – Brownfields. Coly
Brown seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Approve the Maintenance to repair the
pool in the hotel from Suter for the amount
of $206,667.00
Kenneth Mallory motioned to ratify the
five-signature approving the Maintenance
to repair the pool in the hotel from Suter for
the amount of $206,667.00. Coly Brown
seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Approve $500.00 Emergency Assistance for Tribal Member
Coly Brown motioned to ratify the
five-signature approving $500.00 Emergency Assistance for a Tribal Member.
Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Approving request for Assistance in the
amount of $1,462.50
Coly Brown motioned to ratify the
five-signature approving a request for
assistance in the amount of $1,462.50.
Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Amending Resolution
Brian Chamberlain motioned
to adopt resolution #23-162A: Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska/Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System Staff Quarters with IHS Support
(Amended). Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
Youth Council
Rona Stealer motioned to table the HoChunk Nisoc Haci Youth Council. Brian
Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Brian Chamberlain motioned to adjourn
at 5:23 p.m. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the
meeting at 5:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Victoria Kitcheyan, Chairwoman
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING
September 26, 2023
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan
Lorelei DeCora
Brian Chamberlain
Rona Stealer
Aric Armell
Coly Brown
Kenneth Mallory
OTHERS PRESENT:
Danelle Smith
Michele Mitchell
Kellie Snow
Teresa Littlegeorge
Cecelia Earth
David Edwards
Rebecca DeCora
Garan Coons
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Isaac Smith (training)
Louis LaRose (leave)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman
Kitcheyan called to order at 2:05 p.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Aric Armell offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Additions: Approve Dept of Treasury
Request, Nation of the Winnebago Tribe
sign on Interstate 29.
Aric Armell motioned to approve the agenda with additions. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ACTION ITEMS:
Public Intoxication Code
Aric Armell motioned to adopt resolution #23-197: Amending the Winnebago
Tribal Code Title 3, Article 7 Regarding
Public Intoxication. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Juvenile Code Child Placement Preferences
Aric Armell motioned to adopt resolution #23-198: Amending the Winnebago Tribal Code Title 4, Juvenile
Procedure. Rona Stealer seconded.
Aric Armell Withdraws motion, Rona Stealer withdraws second.
Aric Armell motioned to table Title
4 – Juvenile Procedure until the General
Counsel does revision and brings it back
to the Tribal Council. Brian Chamberlain
seconded.
DISCUSSION: General Counsel will
bring back by October 2, 2023.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
IHS Buyback Agreement FY 2024
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the Buyback Agreement between
the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and
United States of America, Department of
Health and Human Services, Indian Health
Services, also Chairwoman is authorized
to sign the agreement.
VOTE: (5) yes, LD, BC, CB, KM, AA
(0) no (1) abstain, RS Motion carried.
Special Diabetes Program for Indians
(SDPI) Congressional Support
Aric Armell motioned to authorize the
General Counsel to submit the letter to
our Congressional Delegation for reauthorization of the SDPI. Brian Chamberlain
seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Iowa Sign on “Nation of the Winnebago
Tribe”
Aric Armell motioned to authorize
the General Counsel to take all actions
necessary with Iowa Department of Transportation on the “Nation of Winnebago
Tribe” signs.
Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to suspend the Rules to add 2 items to the
agenda.
Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (6) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
BIA Law Enforcement
[Rona Stealer out, Coly Brown out]
Aric Armell motioned to authorize the
General Counsel to draft a letter for the
Chairwoman’s signature to the BIA Law
Enforcement Head quarters and District 1
Services on the state of our Law Enforcement. Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
RECESS: reconvene at 4:02 p.m.
UPDATES/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve letter of support for the EPA. Aric
Armell seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Lorelei out, back in]
Tribal Member Long Term Loan: still
being worked on
NE Class III Gaming Compact: being
worked on (meeting on 9/27/23)
Thunder Way LLC/WHDC: being
worked on
Animal Control Code: being worked on
HEARTH ACT – no change
BIA Law Enforcement – already discussed.
Winnebago Land Transfer Act: meeting
on 10/6/23 with Senator Ernst and staffers
at WinnaVegas.
Federal Protections & Support: Consultation and Comments submitted.
HR 3461 – Letter went out on the
strengthening Tribal Families Act
EPC – Mental Health Commitment Orders: being worked on.
Carlisle Repatriation – meeting with
NARF and will send draft letter for Tribal
Council approval.
MidAmerican Coal Ash Dump: letter
drafted, will be coming for signature.
Independent Contractor Policy: in
progress
Tribal Member Land Exchange:
Brian Chamberlain motioned to adopt
resolution #23-198 for appropriate CFR
correction for tribal member land exchange. Aric Armell seconded.
ABSTAIN: Kenneth Mallory
VOTE:
(3) yes, BC, AA, LD (0)
no
(1) abstain, KM Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Aric Armell motioned to go into Executive Session at 4:28 p.m. Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to come
out of Executive Session at 4:38 p.m. Aric
Armell seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
ADJOURN:
Aric Armell motioned to adjourn at
4:38 p.m. Brian Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (4) yes
(0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the
meeting at 4:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorelei DeCora, Secretary
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
TREASURER’S REPORT MEETING
September 28, 2023
TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:
Victoria Kitcheyan
Brian Chamberlain
Lorelei DeCora
Rona Stealer
Coly Brown
Kenneth Mallory
Isaac Smith (in at 10:10 a.m.)
Aric Armell (in at 9:45 a.m.)
OTHER PRESENT:
Christina Parker
David Edwards
Beth Wewel
Chris Tyhurst
Kellie Snow
Cecelia Earth
Mike Lyons
Tyresha Wolfe
Angel Derochie
Lance Morgan
Kiva Harden-Free
Ray Thomas
Mike Means
Thomas Snow
Jasmine Lammers
Eli Painter
Jonathan Grant
Teresa Littlegeorge
Julie Smithart
Autumn Nieman
Ireta Frazier
TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:
Louis LaRose (leave)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman
Kitcheyan called to order at 9:06 a.m.
OPENING PRAYER: Brian Chamberlain offered the opening prayer.
APPROVE AGENDA:
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the agenda. Coly Brown seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
WCHS FINANCIAL REPORT: Presented by David Edwards and Beth Wewel.
Financial Report
Revenue Generation Report (not available)
Brian Chamberlain motioned to
approve the WCHS August Financial
Report. Kenneth Mallory seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to table the WCHS Revenue Generation
Report. Rona Stealer seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
*No date yet for COVID vaccine booster.
GAMING COMMISSION REPORT:
Presented by Thomas Snow.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to accept
the Winnebago Gaming Commission
August 2023 Report. Kenneth Mallory
seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
Lorelei DeCora motioned to table the
Winnebago Gaming Commission Personnel Policies and Procedures. Brian
Chamberlain seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
WARHORSE REPORT: Presented by
Angel Derochie and Lance Morgan.
Lorelei DeCora motioned to approve
the August 2023 Warhorse Financial Report. Kenneth Mallory seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
WINNAVEGAS REPORT: Presented by
Ray Thomas and Mike Means.
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the August 2023 WinnaVegas
Financial Report as presented. Kenneth
Mallory seconded.
VOTE: (5) yes (0) no (0) abstain
Motion carried.
[Aric Armell in at 9:45 a.m.]
ACTION ITEMS:
Request from the Marketing Department, Re: Cash O Pumpkin side by side
#3 Bids. Kubota RTV250 Taggart’s Power
Sport @ $12,774.00
Brian Chamberlain motioned to approve the request from the Marketing
Department, Re: Cash O’Pumpkin side by
side #3 Bids. Kubota RTV250 Taggart’s
Con’t. in next issue...
Page 6 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, October 14, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Winnebago Environmental
Protection Department will be
holding Fall Community Clean-up
on October 18th and 19th 2023.
(Wednesday and Thursday) at the
dumpsite on Mercer Street.
More Information on the event coming soon.
For Questions, contact James Neff at 402-922-0442.
Saturday, October 14, 2023 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 7
HOCHUNK INC.
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.