Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Storytellers Pt. 1:

Kellie Snow

page: 6

Volume 54, Number 8

In honor of April being Ho rohiginini wira

/ Fish Appearing Moon, our masthead for this

issue features the icon representing the Fish

Clan / Ho Hikikarac. The Fish Clan holds many

functions within our tribe. Of those they held

responsibility for our engineering, commerce,

and the environment. Fish Clan members are

Friendship clan to the Snake Clan. The Fish

Clan is one of the eight Earth clans. In ancient

times, the Fish Clan may have held a special

significance, given the name of our people is a

compound word beginning with Ho, reflected

in the name Hocak. Families belonging to the

Fish Clan include: Big Head, Blackfish, Fischer,

Houghton, and Sharpback. Our gratitude to the

HoChunk Renaissance Department for their

assistance in providing this information.

Rez Tour 2025

page: 6

Hō hirogįnįną wī

Fish Appearing Moon

Saturday, April 26, 2025

WCHS Successfully Completes Statewide Emergency Exercise

Nį̄šoc Nįgešąną

Bago Bits

By: Erin McElroy, WCHS Communications Manager

In honor of Easter, the Winnebago

Comprehensive Healthcare System held

their 13th annual ‘Egg-Stravaganza’ for the

community. This family-friendly event had

15 thousand eggs to hunt, bouncy houses,

pony rides, a petting zoo and prizes.

Winnebago, NE – Winnebago Comprehensive

Healthcare System (WCHS) demonstrated its

commitment to emergency preparedness by actively participating in a state-sponsored hospital

emergency exercise. The large-scale simulation,

which spanned multiple healthcare facilities and

agencies across Nebraska, tested the region’s

ability to respond to a mass casualty event caused

by a severe tornado outbreak.

The exercise was designed to assess hospitals’

capacity to manage a sudden influx of patients

while maintaining operational effectiveness.

WCHS, along with other participating institutions, worked through complex scenarios that

simulated real-world emergency conditions,

ensuring staff and systems were rigorously

tested under pressure. Importantly, the exercise

did not affect the hospital’s actual patient care,

as all cases in the drill were simulated.

WCHS collaborated closely with its regional hospital coalition, the Rural Region One

Medical Response System (RROMRS), and the

University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)

Center for Preparedness to execute the drill

successfully. This coordinated effort reinforced

the hospital’s role as a frontline responder in the

face of large-scale disasters.

“We take emergency preparedness very

seriously, and exercises like this are crucial to

ensuring that our staff, resources, and systems

are ready for real-life emergencies,” said Paul

McCarty, Physical Environment Director

at WCHS. “This drill allowed us to put our

response plans into action, evaluate our capa-

bilities, and strengthen coordination with other

healthcare facilities and emergency response

teams.”

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kini underscored

the value of such simulations stating, “A mass

casualty event can overwhelm hospitals in a

matter of minutes. This simulation gave us the

opportunity to refine our protocols, enhance

communication, and ensure that our medical

teams are fully equipped to manage a sudden

surge in patients efficiently and effectively.”

By participating in rigorous emergency

training exercises, WCHS continues to prioritize patient safety and community well-being.

The hospital remains dedicated to continuous

improvement in emergency response planning

and will continue engaging in training initiatives

to strengthen its disaster readiness.

Families Celebrate at the 13th Annual WCHS Easter Egg-Stravaganza!

April 22nd was Earth Day. Wildlife and

Parks celebrated the day by providing trees

for the community to plant. Pictured above

is Mary Painter with her tree seedlings.

By: Erin McElroy, WCHS Communications Manager

The HoChunk Inc Community engagement

team worked with the Winnebago Public

School to host a college/career fair for upcoming graduates. Surrounding entities and

colleges like HoChunks Farms, construction,

legal team, University of Nebraska Lincoln,

Briar Cliff college, WTN Health Department, WTN HR and more were present with

a variety of opportunities. Pictured above is

a WPS Junior, Mimi Coons with WTN HR

Director Tara Hernandez and HR Specialist,

Alyssa Wolf.

Winnebago, NE – The Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System (WCHS) hosted

another successful Easter Egg-Stravaganza on

Friday, April 18th, bringing together families

from across the community for a day of fun,

laughter, and celebration.

More than 15,000 candy-filled eggs were

scattered across the Land of Wellness as children eagerly participated in age-grouped egg

hunts. In addition to the egg hunts, families

enjoyed a petting zoo, pony rides, exotic

animals, and bouncy houses, making it an

unforgettable event for all.

“This event is about more than just Easter

fun, it’s about bringing families together and

strengthening community bonds,” said Mona

Zuffante, WCHS Chief Public Health Officer.

“Seeing the smiles and excitement on the children’s faces reminds us why these gatherings

are so important to overall well-being.”

WCHS remains dedicated to fostering

family connections, recognizing that social

and emotional well-being play a vital role in

overall health. The Easter Egg-stravaganza

continues to be a cherished annual tradition,

giving families a chance to celebrate together while children enjoy their day off from

school.

Event Highlights:

15,000+ candy-filled eggs hidden for the

children’s delight

Petting zoo and pony rides that captivated

young animal lovers

Exotic animals exhibit, providing a unique

and educational experience

Bouncy houses, adding an extra level of

excitement for kids of all ages

“Events like the Easter Egg-Stravaganza

are a reflection of our mission to create and

sustain a healthy community. By bringing

families together in a space filled with joy,

connection, and culture, we’re taking steps

toward our greater vision, leading the nation

in health for Indigenous people.” stated David

Edwards, CEO of WCHS.

Visit us at winnebagotribe.com

Page 2 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 26, 2025

COMMUNITY

WCHS Kids After School Wellness Program Excels

Erin McElroy, WCHS Communications Manager

Winnebago, NE – The Whirling Thunder Wellness Center continues to make a meaningful impact

in the Winnebago community by hosting an after-school program dedicated to improving the

health of local youth. This initiative, going on 14 years, supports children who meet the grant eligibility requirement of having a Body Mass Index (BMI) in the 85th percentile or higher, providing

them with structured physical activities, nutrition education, and a supportive environment to

develop healthy habits.

With participation numbers growing, the program has already helped hundreds of children take

positive steps toward improved fitness and overall well-being. There are currently 30 community

kids in the program. Pre and post assessments are conducted with each session, measuring body

mass index (BMI), height, weight, muscle mass, a1c, and blood pressure to ensure continued

efficiency of the program. By engaging in fun, supervised activities, children not only increase their

physical activity levels but also gain valuable knowledge about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“This program is shaping the future health of Winnebago,” said Pilar Aldrich, Wellness Program

Director at Whirling Thunder Wellness. “We are providing children with the tools and support they

need to embrace physical activity and nutrition in a way that is both fun and sustainable. It’s amazing to see the confidence and enthusiasm growing in these kids as they take charge of their health.”

To further enhance the after-school program and provide additional resources to the entire

Winnebago community, Whirling Thunder Wellness has recently acquired new state-of-the-art

workout equipment, made possible through Ho-Chunk Inc’s employee donation program “Hochunk Way” along with funds from their Native American Public Health Act (NAPHA) grant. The

wellness center was able to purchase new treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent bikes, and weighted

plates. This investment allows community members of all ages to access modern fitness tools that

support a healthier lifestyle.

The Whirling Thunder Wellness Center remains committed to fostering a culture of health and

well- being, ensuring that all members of the Winnebago community, young and old, have access to

the resources they need to stay active and healthy.

BIG VOICE RADIO

KWTN

100.9 FM

Official Radio Station of the

Winnebago Tribe of

Nebraska

Saturday, April 26, 2025 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 3

Wāgax hųk ra wāgax hokik’ųna

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

1st Memorial Service

for

As submitted to the WIN from Alexander

Mallory:

Rob M. Lieb - Huuc Ska Ga

This week marks the grand opening of the Louis LaRose Memorial Building at Little Priest

Tribal College. The facility honors the legacy

of my Choka, Louie LaRose—a trailblazer in

the Tribal Colleges & Universities movement,

a former chairman of the Winnebago Tribal

Council, and a lifelong advocate for education.

In that spirit, I wanted to share a story he once

told me.

It happened in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Choka Louie was there serving as a mediator

for a case. After dinner, he sat at a table in his

buffalo jacket and reached into his pocket to

find his keys. Instead, he pulled out a buffalo

knuckle bone and placed it on the table.

Rob M. Lieb - Huuc Ska Ga

1st Memorial Service

(Robert Michael Wanagira was the son of the late Evelyn Lucille Cleveland and Robert L.

Lieb.)

Your love and kindness will never be forgotten. Please join us in celebrating Rob’s life through

prayer and song.

Date & Time: Monday, May 5th, 2025, at 1:00 PM

Location: Native American Church, Winnebago, NE

In Charge (Prayer Chief): Mr. Matthew Cleveland, Jr.

The service will begin around 1:00 PM, followed by a meal.

Across from him, an old Sioux woman sat up

and asked where he got it.

He told her he found it at the buffalo pasture in

Winnebago.

“Can I look at it?” she asked.

He handed it to her, and she began to weep.

Rob was married to Charlene Avery, and together they enjoyed 16 wonderful years. Over the

years, they lived and worked on the East Coast, Midwest, and Southwest, traveling extensively

and embracing life together.

It caught him off guard—he hadn’t given her

that bone to make her cry. He didn’t understand what was happening. Eventually, though,

her tears gave way to laughter.

He left us in New Orleans, LA, and was loved deeply by our family and many others who had

the privilege of knowing him. Rob had a big heart and soul, and he was never afraid to show it.

He said, “That’s alright, you can cry. Tell me

what happened.”

A heartfelt thank you to all the kind family and relatives who supported us during such a difficult time last year. Whether through a prayer, a donation, a hug, or words of encouragement,

your love helped carry us through Our hearts were broken, and we were devastated, but your

kindness meant the world to us.

She explained that when she was a little girl,

she had a miniature Indian village. A teepee,

a small fireplace, and little buffalo bones as

animals. One day, while she was playing, her

uncles came by and stomped on it, destroying

the whole village. Without even saying a word,

she said.

If you’re able, or if you’re in the area, please join us for a prayer in honor of Mauna or come

share a meal with us as we celebrate Rob’s life.

Wainiiginupsana

With love,

Avery Lonetree, Mary, Dale and Tina Littlejohn, Joi Lieb Long,

Jenet Lieb, Alan Lieb

name or what Tribe she was from. He also told

me that was the first time he witnessed historical trauma. A leader in restoring tribal buffalo

herds, Choka Louie recognized the intergenerational trauma their eradication caused in Indian

Country.

You might wonder what that story has to do

with the opening of the Memorial Building. It’s

simple: Educational institutions matter not just

because those institutions teach, but because

those institutions create space—for truth, for

healing, for sharing the weight of pain.

In Indian Country, we are no strangers to

grief. But even in the depths of sorrow, there

is resilience. There is beauty. A quiet strength

that comes from protecting and preserving the

stories of our ancestors. I was fortunate to hear

countless stories from my Choka about the long

arc of our people’s history. And never—not

once—at the end of one of those stories did I

hear the phrase, “and then we gave up.” No, he

taught me that we march forward so that the

gap between what is and what could be grows

smaller.

It’s a remarkable thing in life to confront historical trauma and still find beauty. It mattered

that my Choka listened to that old woman and

let her speak. Beauty can be natural (the breath

of a buffalo in the wintertime) or man-made

(the simplicity of sitting at a table and listening to someone’s story). But no matter how or

where it appears, we should pause to honor it.

And celebrate the legacies of those who did.

Pinagigi, Choka. The world is better because

you walked in it.

When Louie placed that bone on the table, it

brought back all those painful feelings. But the

woman also felt something else: relief.

She tried to hand it back. “Here, here’s your

bone,” she said.

But Louie shook his head. “No,” he said. “It’s

yours. It was meant for you. You keep it.”

She accepted it, holding it like a child again

excited and alive. Louie said he was so moved

by the encounter that he forgot to ask for her

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Hearing

Case No. JFJ25-015

Winnebago

The People of the Winnebago Tribe

In the Interest of:

D.M. (Born 11/2008)

Indian News

To: MICHELLE SHERIDAN, Mother

ARTHUR MARR, Father

You are hereby notified that a hearing for an

Initial Appearance concerning the above referred minor individual(s) in case no. JFJ25015 has been scheduled and will be heard in

the Winnebago Tribal Court of Winnebago,

Nebraska on the 7th day of MAY, 2025 at the

hour of 10:00 A.M.

is owned and

published by the

Winnebago Tribe of

Nebraska”.

The next issue of the WINNEBAGO INDIAN NEWS will be published on May 10, 2025.

——————————————————

The Mission of the WIN is to inform and to educate

the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska of issues that

affect them, and to be a vehicle in which stresses

positive and beneficial concerns and points of view.

LETTER POLICY: Signed editorials, letters and

articles appearing in the WIN are the responsibility

of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the

opinion or attitude of the Winnebago Indian News

or the Winnebage Tribal Council.

The WIN encourages the submission of Letters to

the Editor; however, letters must be signed and

addressed. Letters may be edited for language

and length.

Postmaster Send Address Changes To

Winnebago Indian News

P.O. Box 687

Winnebago, Nebraska 68071

——————————————————

The Winnebago Indian News (WIN), founded ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The reproduction of

in January 1972, is published bi-weekly for the editorial or photography content without permission

is prohibited.

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

DEADLINE for this issue will be May 6, 2025.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send change of Advertising/News Deadline

address with old mailing label to:

12:00 Noon Monday Printing Week

Winnebago Tribal Council

Victoria Kitcheyan................Chairwoman

Periodicals Postage Paid

Isaac Smith...................... Vice Chairman

(Issn 1060-3026) At Winnebago, NE

Teresa Littlegeorge.................. Secretary

Rona Stealer........................... Treasurer

winnebagoindiannews@winnebagotribe.com Winnebago Indian News Staff

Phone: 402-878-2272

Brian Chamberlain...................................Editor Coly Brown................................ Member

Tyler Snake............................. Office Manager Kenny Mallory.............................Member

“Official Newspaper of

Christina Parker...................Desktop Publisher Aric Armell..................................Member

the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska”

Lorelei DeCora...........................Member

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Nebraska Residents....................................$25.00 WTN Communications

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Winnebago Indian News

P.O. Box 687

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or contact us at our e-mail address:

Out-Of-State................................................$35.00

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Per Column Inch............................................$7.00

Garan Coons.............................Comm. Officer

Bethani Redhorn...........Comm. Office Manger

Christina Parker.............................Web Master

Kevin Ebert..................Multimedia Coordinator

Page 4 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 26, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES

WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING MINUTES

March 20, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:

Victoria Kitcheyan

Isaac Smith

Teresa Littlegeorge

Rona Stealer

Lorelei DeCora

Eugene DeCora

Kenneth Mallory

Coly Brown

Aric Armell (in 10:54 a.m.)

OTHERS PRESENT:

Danelle Smith

Melanie Parker

Tyler Smith

Josh Pitre

Zeriyah James

Cecelia Earth

Deidre Redhorn

Michele Mitchell

Christina Parker

Miskoo Petite

Tyresha Romero

Darla LaPointe

Billie Kitcheyan

Janelle DeCora

Kevin Ebert

Todd Morman

CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Kitcheyan called to order at 10:28 a.m.

OPENING PRAYER: Eugene DeCora

offered the opening prayer.

APPROVE AGENDA:

Coly Brown motioned to approve the agenda. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

ACTION ITEMS:

Resolution – SBA 8 (a)

Lorelei DeCora motioned to adopt resolution #25-129: To Exclude Parent Organization

from Facility Security Clearance Requirements

in connection with the SBA 8(a) Business

Development Program. Rona Stealer seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Tribal Election Code Revisions

(Aric in 10:54 a.m.)

(Eugene out 11:20 a.m., in 11:24 a.m.)

(Aric out 11:24 a.m., in at 11:25 a.m.)

(Teresa out 11:32 a.m., in at 11:35 a.m.)

BREAK: reconvene at 11:54 a.m.

(Kenneth is out at 12:09 p.m., in at 12:24

p.m.)

Aric Armell motioned to adopt resolution

#25-130: Amendments to Winnebago Tribal

Code Title 5, Article 2, Election Code with

revisions including the Election Board being

randomly selected each year without terms.

Lorelei DeCora seconded the motion

OBJECT:

Eugene DeCora

VOTE: (5) yes, KM, LD, CB, AA, IS (2)

no, ED, RS (1) abstain, TL motion carried.

(LD out at 12:42 p.m., in at 12:44 p.m.)

UPDATES/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Federal Advocacy – Congressional updates

Congress Averts Government Shutdown

Chairwoman Testifies Before Congress

Hill Meetings Recap

Rep. Smith’s CPF Application

Boarding School Legislation

(Victoria out at 12:58 p.m., in at 1:00 p.m.)

(IS out at 1:11 p.m.)

Lorelei DeCora motioned to resubmit the

Boys & Girls club application to Rep. Smith’s

Community Project Fund ‘FY26. Coly Brown

seconded the motion.

Discussion.

VOTE: (8) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Discussion on a store for the community.

(Teresa out 1:20 p.m., in at 1:25 p.m.)

(Lorelei out at 1:25 p.m., in at 1:27 p.m.)

Aric Armell motioned to spend up to 10 million dollars toward a new store from the Tribe’s

Investment Portfolio and including the financial

arm of tribe. Isaac Smith seconded the motion.

OBJECT: Lorelei, Kenny

VOTE: (3) yes, CB, AA, IS (3) no, RS,

LD, TL (2) abstain, KM, ED Motion failed.

*Needs all 9 yes votes to utilize the portfolio.

Isaac Smith motioned to have HCI come up

with a plan for a new store within the next two

years. Aric Armell seconded the motion.

OBJECT: Lorelei

VOTE: (7) yes (1) no, LD

(0)

abstain Motion carried.

LUNCH:

reconvene at 1:53 p.m.

Federal Advocacy – Administrative updates

Key Indian Affairs Appointment – Scott

Davis, Principal Deputy Secretary of Indian

Affairs *recommend a virtual meeting to be

scheduled.

(Isaac out 2:08 p.m., in at 2:10 p.m.)

(Eugene out at 2:10 p.m.)

NACIE Improvement Act Implementation –

working with Senator Fischer’s office.

Califano Fund Implementation – Benjamin

Smith, Acting Director, IHS, sent a letter to

the Tribe in response to Tribal Consultation

comments.

GAO Study on P.L. 280 Public Safety &

Justice Issues

President Trump Revokes Tribal Executive

Order

(Kenneth out at 2:18 p.m., in at 2:20 p.m.)

State Advocacy

News of Don Wesley, long-time lobbyist for

the Tribe, passing away.

Lorelei DeCora motion to approve travel for

Tribal Council members that want to attend the

funeral services of Don Wesley. Aric Armell

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

(Aric out at 2:26 p.m.)

Tribal College Funding

Continuing to work with Manoj Patil on

advocacy and has a meeting coming up with

Northeast Community College.

LB 675 – Purchase, lease, sale, or exchange

of Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and

Funds land withing boundaries of Reservation.

No longer pending in state legislation

LB 7 – Clarify Tribes not subject to Foreign-Owned Real-Estate National Security Act

– Placed on final reading

(Aric in at 2:29 p.m.)

Sen. Meyer meeting – scheduled.

Tribal-State Relations Committee Bus Tour

being planned.

Eugene testified on Feb. 27th on opposition to

LB 656 regarding SNAP

Joey Adler Ruane from Lobbyist office

reported that the Tribal -State Relations

Committee identified their priority bill as LB

78 - Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking

Survivor Assistance Act.

BREAK: 2:35 p.m. reconvene at 2:46 p.m.

Tribal Enrollment Criteria Secretarial Election

Lorelei DeCora motioned to rescind resolution #22-50: To request a Secretarial Election

by the Secretary of the Interior. Coly Brown

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Aric Armell motioned to adopt resolution

#25-131: To request a Secretarial Election

by the Secretary of the Interior to amend the

Tribal Enrollment Criteria. Teresa Littlegeorge

seconded the motion.

Discussion.

(Coly out at 3:22 p.m.)

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

(Coly in at 3:24 p.m.)

EPA Tribal Water Systems Tribal Consultation

A follow up meeting will be scheduled.

(Lorelei out at 3:25 p.m., in at 3:30 p.m.)

Law Enforcement – Compact discussion

(Rona out at 3:30 p.m.)

(Isaac out at 3:38 p.m., in at 3:40 p.m.)

TDHE – WHDC

Requesting updates

Aric Armell motioned to go into Executive

Session at 3:46 p.m. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

(Aric, Lorelei out at 3:48 p.m.)

(Aric in at 3:49 p.m.)

(Lorelei in at 3:50 p.m.)

(Aric out at 4:04 p.m., in at 4:07 p.m.)

(Isaac out at 4:08 p.m., in at 4:09 p.m., out

at 4:11 p.m., in at 4:14 p.m.)

Aric Armell motioned to come out of Executive Session at 4:40 p.m. Coly Brown seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Aric Armell motioned to adopt resolution

#25-132: Declaring a State of Emergency for

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska due to the blizzard and power outages. Teresa Littlegeorge

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Kenneth Mallory motioned to adjourn at 4:45

p.m. Aric Armell seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the

meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary

Winnebago Tribal Council

WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

MID-MONTHLY TRIBAL COUNCIL

MEETING

March 21, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:

Victoria Kitcheyan

Isaac Smith ( in at 1:29 p.m.)

Teresa Littlegeorge

Rona Stealer

Coly Brown

Eugene DeCora

Aric Armell

Lorelei DeCora

Kenneth Mallory (in at 1:23 p.m.)

OTHERS PRESENT:

Tyresha Romero

Kellie Snow

Trey Blackhawk

Maxine Rice

Waukan Grasty

Christina Parker

Cecelia Earth

Willy Bass

Autumn Nieman

Ireta Frazier

Janelle DeCora

Jewel Parker

CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Kitcheyan called to order at 1:08 p.m.

OPENING PRAYER: Aric Armell offered

the opening prayer.

APPROVE AGENDA:

Aric Armell motioned to approve the agenda

with additions. Coly Brown seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

READING OF THE MINUTES:

February 17, 2025, Mid-month Tribal Council Meeting minutes

Aric Armell motioned to approve the

February 17, 2025, Mid-month Tribal Council

Meeting minutes. Coly Brown seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

February 19, 2025, General Counsel meeting

minutes

Coly Brown motioned to approve the

February 19, 2025, General Counsel meeting

minutes. Aric Armell seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

February 24, 2025, Law Enforcement/Fire

Department/BIA Report meeting minutes

Aric Armell motioned to approve February

24, 2025, Law Enforcement/Fire Department/

BIA Report meeting minutes. Coly Brown

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

February 27, 2025, Treasurer’s Report meeting minutes

Aric Armell motioned to approve February

27, 2025, Treasurer’s Report meeting minutes.

Rona Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

March 10, 2025, Physical Resources Report

meeting minutes

Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to approve the

March 10, 2025, Physical Resources Report

meeting minutes. Coly Brown seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

March 12, 2025, CEO Report meeting

minutes

Aric Armell motioned to approve the March

12, 2025, CEO Report meeting minutes. Coly

Brown seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

RATIFY FIVE SIGNATURES:

Adoption of Resolution #25-121: J.W. Bagley Foundation Funding for the amount totaling

$8,475 to support EduCare’s implementation of

activities.

Aric Armell motioned to ratify the five-signature adopting of resolution #25-121: J.W.

Bagley Foundation Funding for the amount

totaling $8,475 to support EduCare’s implementation of activities. Teresa Littlegeorge

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Adoption of Resolution #25-122: FY 2025

Winnebago Career and Technical Education

Program Project.

Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to ratify the

five-signature adopting resolution #25-122: FY

2025 Winnebago Career and Technical Education Program Project. Coly Brown seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Approval of tribal members (W.G.) to stay

at WinnaVegas (3/13/25 to 3/17/25) during

recuperation from the medical situation.

Aric Armell motioned to ratify the five-signature approving tribal members (W.G.) to stay

at WinnaVegas (3/13/25 to 3/17/25) during recuperation from medical situation. Coly Brown

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Approval of donation to (J.D.) – purchase of

Jacket and Chicken for meal.

Aric Armell motioned to approve the donation to (J.D.) – purchase of Jacket and Chicken

for meal. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Approval of Resolution #25-128: Angel

DeCora Museum and Research Center-Exhibit

Project Neb State Historical Society Foundation-Statewide Grants Program WTN is

requesting $3,000.00 in funding, the project

will dedicate a wall exhibit piece of the WTN’s

Base Roll of 1934.

Aric Armell motioned to ratify the five-signature approving Resolution #25-128: Angel

DeCora Museum and Research Center-Exhibit

Project Neb State Historical Society Foundation-Statewide Grants Program WTN is

requesting $3,000.00 in funding, the project

will dedicate a wall exhibit piece of the WTN’s

Base Roll of 1934. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

LPTC Donation request – Manoj Patil

Aric Armell motioned to table until the next

Treasurer’s Report on March 28, 2025, to gain

further information on the request. Lorelei

DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

USPS Winnebago Post Office – Lease

Approval

Aric Armell motioned to table until the next

Treasurer’s Report on March 28, 2025. Lorelei

DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Kenneth in at 1:23 PM]

Boys & Girls Club request

Aric Armell motioned to approve the request

from Boys & Girls Club request to solicit from

Tribal Programs. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Use of seal for UMNMC Indigenous Medicine Garden Bench

Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to approve to

use the Tribal Seal for the Garden Bench. Rona

Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Isaac in at 1:29 p.m.]

Pow-Wow Committee Applicants

Aric Armell motioned to remove Ramone

Loera, Jr. and appoint James Sun III, James

Sun Jr., Jeffrey Berridge, David Russell, Kiva

Harden-Free, and Caroline Bassette to the Powwow Committee. Lorelei DeCora seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (8) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

*POW-WOW COMMITTEE CAN VOTE

ON TERMS AND OFFICERS

TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEMS:

TRIBAL FLAG

Lorelei DeCora motioned to Direct General

Counsel and IRB to start the copyright process

and to claim Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Flag and Seal as Intellectual property. Isaac

Smith seconded the motion.

VOTE: (8) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

WCHS – dialysis unit discussion

Lorelei DeCora motioned to ask the General

Counsel to draft a resolution to the IHS that we

will assume the DDU building within a year.

Aric Armell seconded the motion.

VOTE: (8) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Aric Armell motioned to go into Executive

Session at 1:51 p.m. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (8) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Rona out at 1:54 p.m.]

[Eugene out at 2:29 p.m.]

[Eugene in at 3:33 p.m.]

[Aric out 4:31 p.m.]

[Lorelei out at 4:33 p.m.]

[Aric and Lorelei in at 4:40 p.m.]

[Eugene out at 5:02 p.m.]

Aric Armell motioned to come out of the

Executive Session at 5:02 p.m. Isaac Smith

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Aric Armell motioned to approve the request

from Tribal member K.B. Isaac Smith seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Eugene in at 5:04 p.m.]

Aric Armell motioned to reiterate the

intention of the Deputized Wildlife and Parks

Conservation Officers to assist the Winnebago

Police Department. Coly Brown seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

ADJOURN:

Aric Armell motioned to adjourn at 5:05 p.m.

Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the meeting at 5:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary

Winnebago Tribal Council

WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

WINNEBAGO HOUSING AND

DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

QUARTERLY UPDATE

March 27, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:

Teresa Littlegeorge

Coly Brown

Lorelei DeCora

Rona Stealer

Isaac Smith

Kenneth Mallory

Aric Armell

Eugene DeCora (in at 10:11 a.m.)

OTHERS PRESENT:

Dana Zagurski

Sylvia Wirba

Frank Smith

Kevin Ebert

Annabess Preston

Cecelia Earth

Danelle Smith

Ireta Frazier

TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:

Victoria Kitcheyan

CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Smith

called to order.

OPENING PRAYER: Coly Brown offered

the opening prayer.

Saturday, April 26, 2025 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 5

COMMUNITY

Update on the development projects – Vets

projects, Site manager Brandon Nieman

Water pipes froze during the winter.

Electrical Units burned out during the

blizzard.

Discussion: Safety tips for households

Application process: Harold working with

Gordon at the Veterans office to get Veterans

notified.

Tribal HUD VASH, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing – to assist the Veterans in the

Housing

Will update to Tribal Council when they are

closer to opening.

ARPA funding update

21 units done and cleaned, most Demoed

Laborers last day was March 21, 2025 – two

hired full-time

Dana will get numbers to the Tribal Council

later.

Request for funding: $70,000 for laborers.

WHDC will need to submit the proposal/scope

of work.

ARPA funding was CARES funding.

Thunder Way

Renovate one that someone moved out of.

Starting to work on mold

Vacancy – tax credit application process

Lot were house burned down, is the Tribes

Lot.

[Lorelei out 9:55 a.m., in at 9:59 a.m.]

Discussion: GIS for 911 addresses.

Discussion: Tiny homes out at Thunderway.

Tribe has their own equipment, but also needs

to follow safety procedures when working with

digging into the dirt.

[Eugene in at 10:11 a.m.]

Bylaws

BREAK: 10:25 a.m., reconvene @ 10:36

a.m.

Aric Armell motioned to approve the ByLaws of the Winnebago Housing and Development Commission. Eugene DeCora seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to advertise

one vacant position for the Winnebago Housing

and Development Commission for 30 days.

Eugene DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Lorelei out at 10:56 a.m.]

Draft MOA – still being worked on

HAVW Deeds/Discussions with the Village

47-49 deeds, some of the deeds should have

been conveyed to homeowners.

Units should be the low-rent units, still sorting out the documentation.

Resolution #98-39: creation of WHDC. –

discussion

Update on Federal Indian Housing matters

The amount of funding from last year will be

the same amount as this year.

NHASDA has not been reauthorized since

2013. Could affect the funding for appropriations. Need to get NHASDA reauthorized.

Need to get legislation to support that reauthorization.

Other updates –

Federal Staffing cutbacks will slow processes down.

[Isaac out at 11:32 a.m.]

[Rona out at 11:32 a.m.]

Field offices may be closed. The Denver

office will stay open. The lease for the offices

will be given up.

[Isaac in at 11:34 a.m.]

NHASDA – add to the Congressional team

to watch the bill (Bigfire Law team)

[Lorelei out at 11:42 a.m., in at 11:46 a.m.]

[Teresa out at 11:53 a.m.]

ADJOURNMENT:

Eugene DeCora motioned to adjourn the

meeting at 11:55 a.m. Aric Armell seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Vice Chairman adjourned the meeting at

11:55 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary

Winnebago Tribal Council

WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

TREASURER’S REPORT MEETING

MINUTES

March 28, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:

Victoria Kitcheyan

Isaac Smith (in at 9:26 a.m.)

Rona Stealer

Teresa Littlegeorge

Lorelei DeCora

Coly Brown

Eugene DeCora

Aric Armell (in at 9:26 a.m.)

OTHERS PRESENT:

Jasmine Lammers

Carl Hunger

Angel Derochie

Ray Thomas

Beth Wewel

Erin Miller

Mike Means

Tom Teesdale

Brittany Thomas

Kellen Kelsey

Lance Morgan

Kevin Ebert

Thomas Snow

Deidre Redhorn

Peggy LaRose

Diann Oban

Amy LaPointe

Kiana Lewis

Cecelia Earth

Ireta Frazier

Terri Lee Medina

Lynelle Blackhawk

Kellie Snow

Charli Earth

Susan Baker

Annabess Preston

Autumn Nieman

Anna Berridge

Manoj Patil

Billie Kitcheyan

Deliah Keahna

Sharon Redhorn-Chamberlain

TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:

Kenneth Mallory (funeral)

CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Kitcheyan called to order at 9:05 a.m.

OPENING PRAYER: Eugene DeCora

offered the opening prayer.

APPROVE AGENDA:

Eugene DeCora motioned to approve the

agenda as amended. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

WTN:

WTN February 2025 Financial Report – Presented by Jasmin Lammers.

Approvals

Physical Resources Budget Mod Request

Eugene DeCora motioned to approve the

Physical Resources Budget Mod request in the

amount of $125,000.00. Coly Brown seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Quotes for Buffalo Well and Native Star

Freezer

Eugene DeCora motioned to table the Buffalo Well and Native Star Freezer quotes until the

Physical Resources Report. Teresa Littlegeorge

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

FY25 Physical Resources – ARPA Home

Repair Winnebago Community Development

Fund

Eugene DeCora motioned to adopt resolution

#25-133: FY25 Physical Resources – ARPA

Home Repair Winnebago Community Development Fund. Rona Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

FY 25-26 Winnebago Tribe EduCare Workforce Impact Subgrant

Rona Stealer motioned to adopt resolution

#25-134: FY 25-26 Winnebago Tribe EduCare

Workforce Impact Subgrant. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to approve the

WTN February 2025 Financial Report. Eugene

DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Isaac and Aric in at 9:26 a.m.]

WARHORSE: Angel Derochie and Lance

Morgan

Eugene DeCora motioned to accept the February 2025 Financial Report. Lorelei DeCora

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Eugne out 9:41 a.m.]

WCHS FINANCIAL REPORT: Beth

Wewel and Erin Miller

[Eugene in at 9:42 a.m.]

[Lorelei out at 9:45 a.m., in at 9:49 a.m.]

BREAK: 9:56 a.m., reconvene at 10:10 a.m.

[Isaac out 10:10 a.m.]

GAMING COMMISSION REPORT:

Presented by Thomas Snow.

Aric Armell motioned to accept the February 2025 Financial Report. Eugene DeCora

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

WINNAVEGAS REPORT: Presented by

Mike Means and Tom Teesdale

February 2025 Financial Report

[ED out 10:37 a.m.]

Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to approve the

February 2025 Financial Report as presented.

Rona Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[ED in at 10:38 a.m.]

APPROVALS

Signage

Aric Armell motioned to approve the Woodbury County highway signage at the arrival

and departure points of the Winnebago Indian

Reservation ‘Entering the Winnebago Indian

Reservation’ and departing the Winnebago

Indian Reservation. Coly Brown seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

WTN and WCR MOU

Aric Armell motioned to approve the 2025

MOU between the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (WTN) and WinnaVegas Casino Resort

(WCR) to provide licensed Water Operators

and related personnel to assist WCR in Maintaining legal compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation 40

C.F.R. & 1309c. Eugene DeCora seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Introduction of Carl Hunger, Security Supervisor.

Discussion on certification of Officers.

[Isaac in at 10:46 a.m.]

BREAK: 10:57 a.m., reconvene at 11:10

a.m.

[Isaac out at 11:10 a.m.]

WGDC-NATIVE STAR/IRON HORSE

REPORT: Presented by Sharon Redhorn-Chamberlain and Deliah Keahna.

February 2025 Financial Reports for Native

Star and Iron Horse Bar and Casino

Eugene DeCora motioned to accept the

February 2025 Financial Report for Native Star

and Iron Horse Bar and Casino. Coly Brown

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Isaac in at 11:20 a.m.]

TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEMS:

LPTC Science Building Opening Ceremony

-Presented by Manoj Patil

Aric Armell motioned to donate $5,000 for

the LPTC Science Building Opening Ceremony.

Eugene DeCora seconded the motion.

DISCUSSION: Regarding expenses for

Speakers and Drone.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Personal invitation for the Tribal Council to

attend the ceremony May 2, 2025.

Post Office Lease

Aric Armell motioned to approve the Chairwoman to sign the Post Office Lease. Teresa

Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Isaac out at 11:38 a.m. – fire call]

Lorelei motioned to approve the Buffalo

well.

Strike the motion due to being tabled until

the Physical Resources meeting.

GAO site visit request

Rona motioned to approve the request from

GAO to visit LPTC. Aric Armell seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

FEMA Trailers – Finance still working on

the gathering the information.

Discussion on inspections of the Trailers,

ownership, availability, etc.

Treasurer will follow up with the request

from Council and to work with CFO.

Eugene DeCora motioned to table until April

14, 2025, Physical Resources Report meeting.

Coly Brown seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT:

Aric Armell motioned to adjourn the meeting

at 11:53 a.m. Eugene DeCora seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the meeting at 11:53 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary

Winnebago Tribal Council

Brian McMullen, Attorney NE DEE

TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:

Rona Stealer (PTO)

CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Kitcheyan called to order at 9:04 a.m.

OPENING PRAYER: Coly Brown offered

the opening prayer.

APPROVE AGENDA:

Isaac Smith motioned to approve the agenda

with additions. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (5) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[KM in at 9:06 a.m.]

Emergency Management

Monthly Report – Presented by Julie Smithart

March Blizzard Report

[IS out 9:35 a.m., in 9:36 a.m]

Eugene DeCora motioned to accept the

Emergency Management Report. Kenneth

Mallory seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Land Management – Presented by Fannie

LaTray and Harvey Freemont.

Homesite Cancellation

G. Bassette

Isaac Smith motioned to adopt resolution

#25-136: Ref. Cancellation of Home Site

Lease, Greg Bassette Sr. Eugene DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

M. Whitewater

Isaac Smith motioned to adopt resolution

#25-137: Ref. Cancellation of Home Site

Lease, Monica Whitewater. Teresa Littlegeorge

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Homesite Resolution

N. Bassette

Isaac Smith motioned to adopt resolution

#25-138: Ref: Homesite Lease – Winnebago

Tribe of Nebraska – Norma Bassette. Eugene

DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Business Lease

Isaac Smith motioned to adopt resolution #25-139: Cancellation Resolution, Ref:

Business Lease – United States of America,

Department of Health & Human Services, Public Health Service, Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (6) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Physical Resources Report – Presented by

Autumn Nieman.

Monthly Report

[Lorelei out at 9:53 a.m.]

[Isaac out at 9:55 a.m., in at 9:56 a.m.]

[Aric in at 10:05 a.m.]

[Teresa out 10:02 a.m., in at 10:06 a.m.]

Aric Armell motioned to accept the Physical

Resources Report. Isaac Smith seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

BREAK: 10:25 a.m., reconvene at 10:30

a.m.

WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

PHYSICAL RESOURCES REPORT

MEETING MINUTES

April 14, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL:

Victoria Kitcheyan

Isaac Smith

Teresa Littlegeorge

Eugene DeCora

Lorelei DeCora

Coly Brown

Kenneth Mallory (in at 9:06 a.m.)

Aric Armell (in at 10:05 a.m.)

OTHERS PRESENT:

Autumn Nieman

Fannie LaTray

Darla LaPointe

Harvey Freemont

Julie Smithart

Aseanna Overfelt

Christina Parker

Cecelia Earth

Annabess Preston

Anna Berridge

Michele Mitchell

Gerri Lyons

Kellie Snow

Jasmine Lammers

Billie Kitcheyan

Ron Nohr

Keely Purscell

Danelle Smith

Deidre Redhorn

Steve Shannon

Carol Cleveland

Lucy Bigfire

Tiffany Armell-Buchanan

Jeffery Edwards, NE DEE

DISCUSSION

EPD Brows field – American Tire Processes

& Recycling – Informational

[Eugene out at 11:00 a.m., in 11:04 a.m.]

11:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Aric Armell motioned to go into Executive

Session at 11:11 a.m. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Lorelei out at 11:56 a.m., in at 11:59 a.m.]

Aric Armell motioned come out of Executive

Session at 12:03 p.m. Isaac Smith seconded

the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

EPD Water – Tribal Primacy – Informational

Well for buffalo – Informational

Native Star HVAC Bids – Action needed

Aric Armell motioned to approve the Ace

Refrigeration quote of 17,256.26 to come out

of surplus fund. Kenneth Mallory seconded the

motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Eugene DeCora motioned to go into Executive Session at 12:35 pm. Teresa Littlegeorge

Con’t. on pg. 9...

Page 6 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 26, 2025

Question of the Issue:

REZ TOUR - PART 2

Farmer Green Thumb, or not. Tell us all about the

garden you’d plant and what you hope to harvest

from your seasonal labors.

GARAN: Can you plant morel mushrooms? ha-ha! If I could, I would plant them.

Overall, I think my garden would have things that would make it more convenient to

harvest like wild rice, wild berries, peaches, grapes, and lemons.

BRIAN: I’ve always been a fan of a classic salsa garden. Somehow our attempts never

panned out tho. But there is nothing like fresh veggies like tomaters, cukes, radishes,

and onions. Oh! And how could I forget, I want several varieties of rhubarb, some

pickles, and limes.

TYLER: I’ve had good luck growing flowers at my mom’s place. It’s nice to watch

them grow everyday

CHRISTINA: My dream garden would be anything and everything. I would like all

kinds of fruit trees, avocado trees, the 3 sisters, watermelon, squash, strawberries,

pumpkins, peppers, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and plus all kinds of flowers. And harvest all the fruits and vvegetables.

KEVIN: *crickets*

BETHANI: *crickets*

Winnebago Tribe Delegation Attends Annual

Self-Governance Conference, Prioritizes

Law Enforcement Program

By Garan Coons

During the week of April 7th, a delegation comprising of Winnebago Tribal Council

members, Administration officials, and WTN Department Heads attended the 50th Annual

Self-Governance Conference. The event, held at the Gila River Resort & Casino in Chandler,

Arizona, brought together over 2,000 participants, including representatives from the federal

government and tribal administrators. Attendees engaged in various workshops, breakout

sessions, and interesting roundtable discussions with leaders from the U.S. Health and Human

Services, Indian Health Service (IHS), and the Department of the Interior.

Understanding Tribal Self-Governance

Tribal self-governance establishes a government-to-government relationship between

federally recognized Indian tribes and the United States. This framework allows tribes greater

control over federal funds and resources, as well as increased autonomy in managing programs and services impacting their communities. The overarching goal of self-governance is

to strengthen tribal sovereignty and reduce federal intervention in tribal affairs.

Winnebago's History with Self-Governance

The Winnebago Tribe's commitment to self-governance is evident in its recent assumption

of operations for the Twelve Clans Unity Hospital. Previously, the hospital was managed

by the Indian Health Service (IHS). The Tribal Council at the time diligently negotiated and

compacted with IHS to facilitate this successful transition.

Focusing on Law Enforcement Self-Governance

A primary objective for the Winnebago delegation's attendance at this year's conference

was to gather information on assuming operational control of the Winnebago Law Enforcement. Currently, law enforcement on the Winnebago Reservation is managed by the Bureau

of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Justice Services (OJS) within the Department of the Interior.

Overall, the conference was informative and provided a lot of information for the Winnebago delegation. In the next coming months, more announcements will be made by the Winnebago Tribal Council about pursuing assuming operational control of the Winnebago Law

Enforcement program. Find out more information: https://www.tribalselfgov.org/

By Brian Chamberlain

Photos by Christina Parker

[Winnebago Reservation] On

Thursday, April 17th, 2025, the second

round of a corner-to-corner tour of

our Winnebago Reservation took

place. Sponsored by the Winnebago

Wildlife & Parks Department and the

Winnebago Tribal Council, this tour

takes each of the participants from

the literal edges of our reservation

home to the other side and back again.

“This event is something that we

hope happens every season. It gives

us a chance to see how large and

diverse our home truly is.,” said Brian

Chamberlain who was Vice-Chairman

of the Tribal Council that initiated this

tour in 2023.

Beginning on the Iowa side of our

reservation, the Spring 2025 tour

captured the attention of the people by

showing them areas not well known to

most of our membership. This being

because of the location of the Missouri

River and the private landownership

that often prevents access to the

corners of our lands. While the “Iowa

side” of our lands do encompass the

world famous WinnaVegas Casino

Resort, the eastern corners are far

less well known. Notably, the act of

Congress that returned lands to our

people in 2024 are also now a part of

the featured tour.

Travelling along paved routes is a

luxury for any kind of tour like this,

as most of our people know we now

live in a rural area of the Great Plains.

Much of the trip requires driving along

secondary dirt roads, and even some

ungraded paths. One member of the

tour group said, “[w]e’ve all travelled

these roads many times, but most of us

never knew where the corners of the

rez were. It’s cool to see where they

actually are.”

Our reservation is largely located

on the western side of the Missouri

River. Travelling West into the town

of Emerson, Nebraska, the tour group

stopped for lunch at the Winnebago

Tribe’s Class II gaming property - Iron

Horse Bar & Casino. There they were

treated to great food and respite from

the journey before heading back to the

day’s itinerary. “Hosting our people

for this kind of event made all of us

here proud to be a part of the day’s

discoveries. The western side of the

Rez doesn’t get much attention.,” said

Sharon Redhorn-Chamberlain, CEO

of the WGDC that operates the Iron

Horse Casino.

The northwest corner of our

reservation is much closer to the

town of Wakefield, Nebraska than

most people are aware of. The marker

that was placed at that corner bears

the insignia of the United States

Department of the Interior Bureau of

Indian Affairs. “I never knew there

were actual stone markers like this.,”

another member of the tour stated

while visiting that northwest corner.

The entire journey takes several

hours. At each stop along the way

those who were present paid homage

to the locations and offered prayers.

During the initial tour, Isaac Smith,

Vice-Chairman for the Winnebago

Tribal Council today, said, “Our

people have been here since we first

set foot on the land after travelling

along the [Missouri] river. We will

be here for a long time after today.

Let’s remember that.” The western

corners are located in both accessible

and inaccessible areas. For example,

one of the corners is in the middle of

a planted cornfield just to the west of

Thurston, Nebraska, while another is

located under some pine trees near a

home to the east of that small town.

This reservation tour lasted a whole

working day. The journey is a smooth

one, but unless you know exactly

where you’re going, it’s easy to lose

your way. Road conditions can also

play a role in getting to each location,

especially the final stops that are

near the river bottom areas close the

Missouri. “Our home is a large and

diverse place – even though it really

isn’t that big in comparison to some.

The more times we share the location

of the corners with our people, the

more awareness of what our home

means to us we create.,” stated Brian

Chamberlain, during the first tour.

He continued, “And we should never

forget that we are the only tribe that

paid for our reservation with our own

money. But now the checkerboard of

ownership exists. We need to get it

back – all of it.”

Saturday, April 26, 2025 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 7

STORYTELLERS

33 Years Ago: Our conversation with one of the Originals

The Winnebago Indian News sat down recently with another special tribal member. One

who is among a class of folks that sees itself

declining in number, yet beholden of a literal

treasure trove of experiences. The person we’re

speaking of is Kellie Snow.

When asked to do an interview Kellie didn’t

hesitate to agree. However, our schedules

needed to meet somewhere as she is the Table

Games Manager for WinnaVegas Casino

Resort in Sloan, Iowa. Accommodating a commute of over 45 minutes, one way, does have

its challenges. Alas, we found a date and time

that could work, and we began our discussion.

Kellie was sought for this interview because of

her status and experience with our main casino,

but also because it is that time on the calendar

when the tribe marks another year for that

workhorse of an operation – WinnaVegas Casino Resort. In April 2025 they will celebrate 33

years of business.

Kellie Snow is a proud member of the

Winnebago tribe. She has served our people in

various capacities over her career, including

becoming a member of BIA Law Enforcement

as an officer of the law. With other positions

and activities throughout our community as

well, her experiences are definitely not one-sided or singular. While at WinnaVegas, her career

began in the pits of the Table Games Department but soon branched out in other areas of

the operation. Always one to take on an untried

challenge, the performance of those duties led

to some intriguing stories – many which were

shared with us as we talked.

Kellie was one of the first tribal members

who filled a supervisory role at WinnaVegas,

and she also became one of the first tribal

members to head a shift and a department.

Long known for training and promoting our

own people, WinnaVegas became a catalyst for

many tribal members over the long years of

its existence, and Kellie is certainly one of us.

Given the nickname “Keets”, as her late father,

Jim Snow, used to call her, she’s always known

where she comes from and helped ensure the

pathways forward never left our own people

behind.

The WIN will employ a standard verbatim

dialogue throughout this printed interview to

preserve as much as possible the original intent

and context of our discussion. However, some

editing has been done for clarity. The original

transcript remains in the WIN’s possession.

Kellie’s appearance in the WIN is entirely

voluntary and her perspectives are hers. So,

please enjoy this conversation as it is meant to

describe her points of view on the life she has,

and the experiences she’s lived. We are so glad

she generously shared them with us. The WIN

appreciates her ability to open-up and share

so much of her story. Ladies and Gentlemen,

please allow me to introduce our third Storyteller in these issues of the Winnebago Indian

News: Ms. Kellie Snow – in her own words.

FROM THE BEGINNING

(WIN) What are your earliest memories of

WinnaVegas from way, way back? Do you

remember the call for employees?

(KS) No, uh, I remember the… I think my

dad [James Snow] might have said something

about, you know, they’re hiring in slots. And

you know, [hiring] everything in the casino. So,

we me, Lorna, Lorna Snake, Monica Flores,

Maria, Maria Scott, shoot, we just jumped in a

car and went over. I remember, we all worked

together at WinnaBingo. We just… I walked

into the bingo hall, and it was just, I mean,

gutted. But there were [slot] machines and…

there was, they were training and taking interviews and I walked right up to the craps table.

And there was a cowboy sitting behind there.

[laughs] I call him a cowboy. He had a hat on

and boots. I said, what’s this game? And he

said, this is craps. (gestures) Bobby Dunning.

(WIN) Oh gosh.

(KS) I said, oh, I know this game. You

know, and he’s like, you know craps? And I

did because I worked at Pizza Hut in Lincoln

and every month, we had a game night. So, we

would do poker. We would do craps. We would

do, we would have a treasure hunt or scavenger

hunts. You know, just games. And craps was

one of the games we played.

We learned, I learned Come Out rules, hard

ways, and I learned the odds. And he’s like,

well, what’s odds on the six and eight? And I

said, uh, seven to six and went up all the way

down. He’s like, get over here, get over here.

And so, I stood behind the craps table, and

that’s where I got my start. I was training. And

we did that for, I think, six months, maybe

seven, because remember the injunction? So,

we couldn’t train there. So, we went into Sloan

[Iowa], into the glass shop. It was like right

across from the Pizza Post and we trained there.

And we couldn’t go when they started bringing

the trailers in. We wind up getting ready for

the tables to come, then we start going into the

trailers as they were hooking them up and putting the machines in and [then came] opening

day.

OPENING DAY

It was so [hot], it was warm that day. It was

April, but it was warm. And we had to wear

white shirts, and we wore bow ties, remember?

(gestures to neck) They had a bow tie. So, then

they said we could wear shorts, but they had,

had to be not like basketball shorts, (laughs)

because it was so hot. But we made it, we all

found some good clothes to wear. That was it.

But there was a… it was a dirt road. Then

you know, they tried to make it [gestures a

circle] you know, gravel and, but all the way

to the corner up there. It was all dirt, and there

were cars all the way up that way. (gestures)

And when people parked, they were just parked

along the dirt road. And so, we opened the

doors, and I was on the craps table. And [dealing] on the craps table, it was Lorna [Snake],

me, um I can’t think of the other ones. But I

know it was Lorna and me.

And then, it’s meant for eight people, a craps

table - the spots. We had 12 people. We were on

each side, we had, you know, four guys standing there, [gestures] and then kind of sideways.

And so, and then on the back side, we’d have

more bets. So, we were running, you know,

12 people. It was a big craps table. And it was

five-dollar bets. You could go $25 on odds.

So, it was only, they had these little pieces of

paper, and you had to punch punches, you had

to punch every [time], and they only got $400

every two hours, I think.

(W) Yeah, there was a [time limit].

(K) So, you know, wives would play, and

they’d give their [tickets to their] husbands or

husbands would give their wives, you know,

their books. But it was only five dollars. That’s

what I mean, that’s all we [had] that’s all we

ran, even on all the tables.

We were [busy] from day one. We were just

packed all the time. It was busy! It was quite

the [chuckles], it was quite the experience. And

just the staff that was there that is still there

at WinnaVegas. Myself, uh…, Ray [Thomas],

um…, Tara Sullivan. She’s one of our, one of

our bar supervisors. Um…, Paul Hobbs.

(WIN) Oh he came back?

(KS) Yeah, he came back. He did, yeah. We

were there. Might be others, but I don’t remember them. Many left. Of course, there was

Juanita. Juanita Whitebeaver was there a lot.

She recently retired. But, yeah, it was, it was

quite a [crew], you know.

WORKING IN THE PITS

Lorna Snake was that lady. She was just so

sharp, you know. She just had [it] just could

figure out those things and payouts. And that’s

when we went to higher limits you know, when

our limits went up. We didn’t have roulette. It

came later. And then when we moved in from

there, when we moved to the new facility that

renovated Bingo Hall, yeah, we finally had a

nice roulette table. You know that double sided

[table]. So, that was something that was fresh.

The people we worked with was like swing

shift. Of course, you know, they were the busiest, you know. That’s where all the action came

in. And day shift. We were pretty busy too, but

not like swing. That’s where, when your big

players came in. And, you know, to be open all

night. That’s just like unheard of now. Things

have really changed, so.

EARLY CASINO MANAGEMENT

(W) There’s some, a lot of different I guess

people were involved. The overall environment

on all sides of the political spectrum were

different. Because, like what you said, most

people either didn’t know or they forgot that

the State of Iowa imposed the betting limits.

And, you know, what we call[ed] them, the

coupon books.

And I don’t I guess I didn’t realize they were

also like punch cards. Because by the time I got

there they were a coupon book that you would

tear out and they had various increments and

stuff. And I remember people even digging in

the trash to get the remaining portions of it and

stuff like that. Because the limit was like you

said, only so much [money] for a certain period

of time. And then they were time stamped, and

people would be waiting and all that other kind

of stuff. So, it was kind of crazy.

But in the early days with that, what people

either, again, don’t remember or are they’ve

forgotten is the Winnebago Tribe was actually a

partner with WinnaVegas.

(K) Yeah!

(W) And the company that they [the Tribe]

had partnered with, which of course they got

into a lawsuit with, and eventually, ended up

winning and taking and the tribe took the whole

thing as it should have, was called GNS Slot.

Do you remember those guys?

(K) Yeah, Gilkus…, Nyg….

(W) I don’t remember what the S was.

(K) Stewart.

(W) Stewart, okay. Stewart. Because there

was Kim Gilkinson, Jerry Nygaard, and I

didn’t, I could not remember the S. I can see

him.

(K) Yeah, I can see he was he was kind of

the big burly guy. Kim was kind of, you know,

young, shorter and blonde. And then Nygaard,

he was, cause he was [at] the [Winnebago]

school... Yeah. GNS, Stewart yeah, I remember

them. Yeah.

(W) And then the company because it was

GNS Slot. And it’s kind of sounds funny, but

that was its own section of that partnership.

And so, I can’t remember who that guy was the Slot, quote unquote Slot guy. It’s been too

long.

POKER ROOM

(K) Yeah, I don’t I don’t remember the Slot

guys too, you know, too much. I know, the bar

guys, the poker guys. The poker [area] was a

whole different animal. And they, they just had

their own little spot in the back and [where]

they were I mean. It was just LIVE poker.

That’s all. You never even heard of a tournament.

And actually, just recently we brought LIVE

poker back [for] two days. Friday and Saturday

nights, one shift. And that’s what I get [now],

when you gonna do tournaments? I’m like,

you know that killed us. That killed our room,

because you can’t, you can’t sustain yourself

with, 220 a night. When you run a poker table

and you know, it’s gotta be live poker only. So,

I see that happening, maybe more tables. But

oh, that room was, that was something else.

And I think they fit at least five tables in that

back area space, yeah. And they were all filled.

(W) Usually, yes.

(K) And of course, I can still remember some

of the faces of the players, but I don’t remember many names. And then, of course, the dealers. There was uh, I remember Todd Ratigan,

Danny Spicer, um Mary Randazzo (sp). Yeah,

is that who… yeah, man. Who else?

(W) Oh, Kerensa [Ross], she started out as a

cocktail [waitress].

(K) I remember, right?

(W) And then [she] transitioned from there to

a poker dealer.

(K) Jules [LaRose]. And then he started in

cocktails as well. Yeah, they, the people still

remember those names and the players then.

As we got into the new part too. I mean, still

just the same… same thing. And I’d really

like to see that come back. I think it, it’s what

would be good for the casino, and it’s always

sustained itself.

(W) Yeah, poker had a very, very loyal following, I’ll say it that way.

EARLY PATRONAGE

(K) And again, like the people that were

usually regulars, you know. And then of course

back then also, there was no Council Bluffs.

So, you had a lot of [an] Omaha crowd. And

so those guys would come up. And we had, the

night we opened, I just stayed. I didn’t want to

leave. But my old Pizza Hut manager came up.

And him and one of the other supervisors they

jumped on the table. And cause they would

go to Vegas, and they were big, you know, big

into betting and gaming. So, yeah, it was good

to see them come up. I was like you taught me

this game. You know, he did too! They taught

me. They taught me the whole concept of it.

You know, I never knew what a craps table

looked like. But I knew what a come-out roll

is. And it was, I never would have walked up to

that table and asked if I didn’t, you know, know

about some of that gambling.

MORE EARLY MANAGEMENT AND

OPERATIONS

(W) You on day one, you were actually a

floor supervisor. From day one. Because there

were not, at that time, very many tribal members in any kind of supervisory role, or just

a handful of people. I’m not really sure who

worked in the back office back then.

(K) Of course, I knew Agnes [Blackhawk]

had worked there. She was an original employee as well, but I don’t remember where she

started. She might have done our, she might

have done our cage. She might have been the

original Cage Manager. But I’d have to ask

Juanita [Whitebeaver]. Because Juanita was in

the cage. They started in there and, you know,

like soft count.

I never got as far as the cage. But I can

imagine what else was back there. The soft

count and even surveillance. I couldn’t tell you

where surveillance was. I just didn’t [know]. I

mean, my mind is like, where am I? Where was

surveillance, you know? Just things like that.

(W) There was a trailer that had a yellow

door (gestures).

(K) There was a door and had a big eye on it

(laughs)!

(W) Because it’s like that was one of those

things. That because on the backside, there

were all those trailers which were gutted out.

And, basically daisy chained together and that

became the casino and the floor. And then,

however, they raised that ceiling in that main

entrance. Because remember the ceiling was

higher?

(K) Yeah. vaulted.

(W) Yes.

EARLY CASINO FLOOR

(K) They had the chairs [that] were just

like little bar stools. I mean, it was [chuckles] … and I don’t know, people just, …I

mean. If you went into a casino now and

they had bar stools, you’d be like, how is

he (sitting)? You know, it was the first of its

kind. So, we were talking about that. I was

like, remember? Remember the chairs were

just little bar stools?

(W) I can still see them because they

were like basically rounded black pleather

leather, whatever it was. Four chrome legs.

Yeah, I remember those. Because then I

always felt so bad for the drop crew, trying

to get that cart through [the gaming floor].

Cause of course it was coin back then. And

it’s like, oh my, talk about a chore.

And then of course, like what you said,

those days were so hectic and just beyond

busy. The tribe was, how should we say, the

casino was pulling in just money and money

and money. Because people were there!

I also remember seeing that when I first

started. Of course, it was several months old

at that point, but there were times when the

machines were three people deep. Waiting

to play while somebody was just pressing

spin… or pulling. Pulling the handle and

stuff because the machines were very different back then. Not very many, if any, kind

of actual video representation. We’re talking

true old school one arm bandits.

(K) Yeah, all the coins we had. Nickels,

quarters and dollars. Yes. And, you know

that was it.

(W) There was no bill acceptor and so everything was just (gestures) hands all black.

(K) I think we, I can’t remember if it was,

but we even tried the dollars on our, some of

the tables. The silver dollars, and then they

finally got gaming chips.

(W) Yeah. Because that came back and

forth a few times and I always hated it.

You know, because when you cut cheques,

it’s a different thing than the silver. [Silver

slot coins] would flop and say oh, it’s just

a mess, but whatever. But yeah, just one of

those kinds of things.

Our story with Kellie Snow will continue

in the next issue of the Winnebago Indian

News.

Page 8 • Winnebago Indian News • Saturday, April 26, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES

... Cont'd from pg. 5...

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Lorelei out at 12:35 p.m., in at 12: 42 p.m.]

[Teresa out at 12:49 p.m., in at 12:52 p.m.]

[Isaac out at 12:49 p.m., in at 12:50 p.m.]

[Coly out at 12:49 p.m., in at 12:52 p.m.]

[Victoria out at 12:51 p.m., in at 12:53 p.m.]

[Aric out at 12:52 p.m., in at 12:55 p.m.]

Teresa Littlegeorge motioned to come out of

Executive Session at 12:59 p.m. Isaac Smith

seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

ADJOURN:

Eugene DeCora motioned to adjourn at

12:59 p.m. Aric Armell seconded the motion.

VOTE: (7) yes (0) no

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the

meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary

Winnebago Tribal Council

WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

REGULAR TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

April 15, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:

Victoria Kitcheyan

Teresa Littlegeorge

Rona Stealer

Kenneth Mallory

Lorelei DeCora

Aric Armell

Coly Brown

Eugene DeCora

OTHERS PRESENT:

Julie Bassette

Kellie Snow

Annabess Preston

Tyresha Romero

Angela DeCora

Kevin Ebert

Carmilita LaTray

Darla LaPointe

Sarah Alvarado

Anthony Snake

Keri LaPointe

Greg Walker

Julie Bassette

Maggie Miller

Christina Parker

Tiffany Armell-Buchanan

TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:

Isaac Smith (PTO)

CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman

Kitcheyan called to order at 9:10 am

OPENING PRAYER: Coly Brown

offered the opening prayer.

AGENDA

Aric Armell motioned to approve the

agenda with additions. Rona Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

READING OF THE MINUTES

March 20, 2025 – General Counsel meeting minutes

Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve the

March 20, 2025 - General Counsel meeting

minutes. Rona Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

March 21, 2025 – Mid-monthly meeting

minutes

Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve

the March 21, 2025 - Mid-monthly meeting

minutes. Coly Brown seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

March 27, 2025 – Winnebago Housing

and Development Quarterly update meeting

minutes.

Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve the

March 27, 2025 - Winnebago Housing and

Development Quarterly update meeting minutes. Coly Brown seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

March 28, 2025 – Treasurer’s Report

meeting minutes

Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve the

March 28, 2025 - Treasurer’s Report meeting

minutes. Coly Brown seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

April 14, 2025 – Physical Resources Report meeting minutes

Kenneth Mallory motioned to approve the

April 14, 2025 - Physical Resources Report

meeting minutes. Coly Brown seconded the

motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

RATIFY FIVE SIGNATURES:

Enrollment: Adopt resolution #25-135:

Emergency Enrollment A.R.

Rona Stealer motioned to ratify the

five-signature; Enrollment: Adopt resolution

#25-135: Emergency Enrollment A.R. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

$500.00 from T.C. Donations for the

funeral of H.H. (food supplies)

Aric Armell motioned to ratify the signature approving $500.00 from T.C. Donations

for the funeral of H.H. (food supplies). Rona

Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

EduCare Winnebago Parent Committee –

Request to match fundraising

Lorelei DeCora motioned to approve

the request from the EduCare Winnebago

Parent Committee to match the fundraising

$1,411.00 for the Head Start Graduation.

Kenneth Mallory seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Donation in lieu of flowers for D.W. to the

Lux Center for Arts

Aric Armell motioned to approve the

$100.00 donation to the Lux Center for Arts

in the honorarium of Donald Wesely, longtime lobbyist for the Winnebago Tribe of

Nebraska. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the

motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Boys & Girls club – request to solicit

funds

Lorelei DeCora motioned to approve the

Boys and Girls Club to solicit for funds for

the movie night. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

TRIBAL COUNCIL ITEMS:

Org Chart and Job Description approval

[Rona out at 9:30 a.m.]

Aric Armell motioned to approve the Job

Descriptions [SMART Compliance Officer,

SMART Data Entry Clerk/Office Assistant,

WPD Dispatcher FT (4), WPD Dispatcher

PT] and approve the Organizational Chart.

Kenneth Mallory seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

[Rona in at 9:39 a.m.]

Tribal Member request D.A.

Aric Armell motioned to approve

$2,000.00 donation for Tribal member

request (S.A.) Lorelei DeCora seconded the

motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (1)

abstain, TL

Motion carried.

[Eugene out at 9:43 a.m.]

Amber Alert – Discussion

Lorelei DeCora motioned to request the

NITC (Nebraska Inter Tribal Coalition) to

request them to present during this Friday’s

virtual meeting. Aric Armell seconded the

motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Tribal member request – M.F.

Lorelei DeCora motioned to request the

Human Services Department to cover the

remaining costs of the furnace replacement

for M.F. Aric Armell seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Aric Armell motioned to go into Executive

Session at 9:50 a.m. Teresa Littlegeorge

seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

[Eugene in at 12:08 p.m.]

[Lorelei out at 12:08 p.m., in 12:14 p.m.]

Eugene DeCora motioned to come out of

Executive Session at 1:43 p.m. Rona Stealer

seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Lorelei DeCora motioned to direct Physical Resources to follow up on the tribal elder

door damage (J.B.) and to have administration follow up on having Law Enforcement

pay for the damages. Aric Armell seconded

the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Lorelei DeCora motioned to direct the

CAO to follow up on the CFS complaint that

was discussed. Eugene DeCora seconded

the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Aric Armell motioned to approve the

fundraising match request for New Breed

4th grade Boys Basketball team of $490.00

to attend the Missouri River Shoot out in

Bismarck, ND on April 12, 2025. Kenneth

Mallory seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(5) yes (0) no (2)

abstain, CB, ED Motion carried.

ADJOURN:

Aric Armell motioned to adjourn at 1:48

p.m. Rona Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the

meeting at 1:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary

Winnebago Tribal Council

WINNEBAGO TRIBE OF NEBRASKA

GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING MINUTES

April 16, 2025

TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESENT:

Victoria Kitcheyan

Teresa Littlegeorge

Rona Stealer

Kenneth Mallory

Lorelei DeCora

Coly Brown

Eugne DeCora

Aric Armell (in at 9:30 a.m.)

OTHERS PRESENT:

Danelle Smith

Casey Cline

Michael Bland

Cecelia Earth

Anna Berridge

Sarah Herring

Michele Mitchell

Zeriyah James

Kiana Lewis

Deidre Redhorn

Brandon Stout

Annabess Preston

Janelle DeCora

Keely Purscell

Anthony Earth

Karen Bass

Ruby Ballenger

Marge Gilpin

Harvey Freemont

Joy Johnson

Fannie LaTray

Kellen Kelsey

Brittany Thomas

Troy Parker

Vincent Bass, Sr.

Eugene Gilpin

Darla LaPointe

John Blackhawk

Christina Parker

Tyresha Romero

Josh Pitre

Leta Gorrin

Andy Snowball

Tiffany Armell-Buchanan

TRIBAL COUNCIL ABSENT:

Isaac Smith (PTO)

CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman

Kitcheyan called to order at 9:15 a.m.

OPENING PRAYER: Eugene DeCora

offered the opening prayer.

AGENDA:

Coly Brown motioned to approve the

agenda with changes and additions. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Boys & Girls Club Construction Project

NMTC Financing

[Aric in at 9:30 a.m.]

[Lorelei out at 9:50 a.m.]

Aric Armell motioned to table the

proposed resolution until the Mid-monthly

meeting. Kenneth Mallory seconded the

motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

[Lorelei in at 9:55 a.m.]

BREAK: 9:55 a.m., reconvene 10:00

a.m.

RECESS: at 10:00 a.m. until 11:00

a.m. for a virtual meeting with the Jajap

Telecommunications Right of Way, Reconvene at 11:07 a.m.

Tribal Enrollment Criteria Secretarial

Election

[Lorelei out at 11:22 a.m., in at 11:30

a.m.]

[Kenneth out at 11:55 a.m., in at 12:01

p.m.]

[Teresa out at 12:01 p.m., in at 12;04

p.m.]

[Eugene out at 12:16 p.m., in at 12:18

p.m.]

Aric Armell motioned to move forward

with the adopted resolution #25-131 and

the sample ballot as presented. Eugene

DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (1) no, CB

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

[Lorelei out at 1:05 p.m., in at 1:08

p.m.]

Eugene DeCora motioned to engage

with the Enrollment Department and Administration to host a community forum

for the Secretarial Election item. Aric

Armell seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(7) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

RECESS: at 1:15 p.m. until 1:45 p.m.,

reconvene at 1:50 p.m.

[Coly out at 1:30 p.m. – PTO]

Residential Land Leasing Policy Revisions

[Teresa out at 1:52 p.m.]

[Rona in at 1:55 p.m.]

[Teresa in at 2:01 p.m.]

Eugene DeCora motioned to adopt resolution #25-140: Approving Amendments

to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Residential Land Leasing Policy. Kenneth

Mallory seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Jajap Telecommunications Right of Way

Aric Armell motioned to table the Jajap

Telecommunication resolutions and the

drafting of a third resolution until the

Mid-monthly meeting. Rona Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

In-house Attorney Contract

Aric Armell motioned to adopt resolution #25-141: Approval of the In-house

Attorney Contract.

Eugene DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Head Start – National Indian Head Start

Directors Association

Rona Stealer motioned to format the

Impact of ACF Restructuring letter to

Secetary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Lorelei

DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

FY 2025 Community Project Funding

Application – Rep. Adrian Smith

Eugene DeCora motioned to adopt

resolution #25-142: Congressman Adrian

Smith (NE-03) FY 2026 Community Project Funding – USDA Rural Development,

Community Facilities Grant Proposal:

Winnebago Boys & Girls Club Community Facilities Project. Aric Armell seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

[Lorelei out at 2:27 p.m., in at 2:32

p.m.]

Utility Committee

Aric Armell motioned to reappoint the

existing Utility Board. Eugene DeCora

seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

[Eugene out at 2:41 p.m., in at 2:45

p.m.]

UPDATES/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Federal Advocacy – Congressional

Updates

Congressional Earmark Applications

Boarding School Legislation

Hearing on ISDEAA

[Lorelei out at 2:48 p.m., in at 2:56

p.m.]

Federal Advocacy – Administrative

updates

HHS Secretary Visits Indian Country

Deputy Interior Secretary Nomination

Advances

[Rona out at 3:15 p.m.]

State Advocacy

Tribal College Funding Advocacy

Sen. Meyer Visit Follow-up

Tribal-State Relations Committee Bus

Tour Workgroup

2025 Legislative Bill Tracking

EPA Tribal Water Systems Consultation

- update

[Rona in at 3:30 p.m.]

Tax Commission – Tribal Vehicle Registrations

Aric Armell motioned to support the

Tax Commission to move forward with

the research on Tribal Vehicle Registrations. Eugene DeCora seconded the

motion.

OBJECT: Kenneth Mallory

VOTE:

(3) yes, TL, ED, AA

(3) no, RS, KM, LD

(0) abstain

Motion carried.

Chairwoman breaks tie and votes yes.

Final VOTE: (4) yes

(3) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

TDHE – WHDC - update

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Aric Armell motioned to go into Executive Session at 3:42 p.m. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

[Lorelei out at 4:07 p.m., in at 4:11

p.m.]

Aric Armell motioned to come out of

Executive Session at 4:34 p.m. Eugene

DeCora seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Aric Armell motioned to continue legal

support for Vice Chairman Isaac Smith regarding the Village of Winnebago. Rona

Stealer seconded the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

ADJOURN:

Eugene DeCora motioned to adjourn at

4:35 p.m. Teresa Littlegeorge seconded

the motion.

VOTE:

(6) yes (0) no (0)

abstain Motion carried.

Chairwoman Kitcheyan adjourned the

meeting at 4:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Littlegeorge, Secretary

Winnebago Tribal Council

Saturday, April 26, 2025 • Winnebago Indian News • Page 9

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