Ho-Chunk Nation In 1634, when the French explorer Jean Nicolet waded ashore at Red Banks, Wisconsin, now known as Green Bay, people of the Ho- Chunk Nation greeted him. The French called this nation the Winnebago Tribe, a name that continued to be used for over 360 years. In 1963 the Wisconsin Winnebago Nation became a federally recognized tribe under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. In November 1994, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs formally accepted its constitution, the Tribe's name legally changed to the Ho- Chunk Nation +the People of the Big Voice +which we have always called ourselves. Currently, approximately 6,100 people are enrolled Tribal members. The Ho- Chunk Nation does not have a typical reservation land base. Rather, the majority of the Tribal population lives within a fourteen- county service area in west central Wisconsin, where the nation owns approximately 5,400 acres of land. Large numbers of Tribal members also live within the urban areas of Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota; and Chicago, Illinois. According to oral history, the Ho- Chunk people have been in the Wisconsin region since prior to two ice ages. Over one- half of the area that is now the State of Wisconsin, more than seven million acres of some of the finest land in America, was ceded to the United States by the Ho- Chunk Nation in 1837. Tribal leaders argued the treaty was not valid due to misinterpretation of the language and because the signers of the 1837 treaty were not authorized to negotiate land issues on behalf of the Tribe. As a result, many Ho- Chunk people were forced to move into Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska by the United States Cavalry. Those who escaped the removals and returned to or remained in Wisconsin endured many hardships. In 1881, the (then) Winnebago heads of households remaining in Wisconsin were enrolled in a census and could acquire homestead land. This accounts for the scattered and largely rural land base of the present- day Ho- Chunk Nation, which makes providing services to Tribal members very challenging. Of major concern to the Nation, as well as every Tribal nation within the United States, is the fact that the number of speakers of the Ho- ak (Ho- Chunk) language is diminishing at an alarming rate. The language, a gift from the Creator, is the essence of life for the Ho- Chunk people. The Ho- ak language is our contact with the past, the embodiment of today, and our vision of the future, containing generations of wisdom going back to antiquity. This wisdom prepares future generations for the challenges they will have to face as leaders of the Ho- Chunk Nation +situations that none of us may even be able to predict as we look back on the past 100 years of hardship and growth. The Ho- Chunk Nation is working to promote economic development and diversification in order to ensure that the next 100 years are a successful continuation of the strong foundation that was built during the previous 100 years. These resources provide the foundation for greater sovereignty and self- determination. To this end, the Nation's efforts to grow its economy include four gaming complexes, retail and convenience stores, lodging and conference facilities and various other tribally owned businesses located strategically throughout the checkerboard reservation. For more information about the Ho- Chunk Nation, call the Public Relations Office at (800) 294- 9343. Did You know Facts In 1634, early North American explorerJean Nicolet encounters Ho-Chunk peoplein Green Bay area of Wisconsin. The Ho-Chunk Department of Heritage Preservation is dedicated to researching, archiving and conserving Tribal historical and cultural information. By so doing itwill safeguard the interests of the Nation and thereby enhance its sovereignty. The Ho-Chunk had tobacco from thebeginning. It was their most valued possession. Ho-Chunk legend states thatthe Creator gave man tobacco to offer up when making requests. Ho-Chunk (or Ho-ak) means People of the big Voice or People of the Sacred Language. Some of the Ho-Chunk Clan Chiefs took their people south along the Mississippi River and migrated to warmer climates. Thus the Ho-Chunk have some southern tribes that speak dialects of the Ho-Chunk language. (i.e. Otoe, Poncan, and Iowa). Bison Prairie Countless numbers of the great bison once inhabited North America. The herds consisted of millions, easily covering entire states. Those who lived with the bison were grateful to their Creator and the spirits of the great animals for all that was provided to them. In his policy of subjugation of the native tribes, the white man slaughtered the bison in great numbers. Over time, where once millions of bison had roamed free, there were but a few hundred left. Today there is the Bison Prairie I, a orking farm/ranch of the Ho-Chunk Nation dedicated to the reintroduction of the bison. The Ho-Chunk Nation joined the Intertribal Bison Cooperative in 1993, with four head of bison. Today, the heard numbers 125 with plans for a herd of at least 400. The bison are rotated between 10 separate pastures. It is the aim of the Ho-Chunk Nation to ensure the health of the bison and the balance of nature through complete organic farming. Hay and feed for the herd is grown without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizer. The Bison Project is a vital part of the Nation- strategy to combat diabetes. Bison meat provides a highly nutritious, low-fat alternative to commercially processed, chemically altered meats. The Nation uses bison meat at its Elder meal sites, special events, pow-wows, and through distribution to diabetic households. Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient It is largely unknown that through the years many tribal members have joined their fellow countrymen in military service to the United States. Relative to their population, three times more Indians enlist than do any other racial or ethnic group. During World War I, for example, 10,000 Indians, including a sizable number from Wisconsin, volunteered for military service. During the Korean Conflict, a Wisconsin Ho-Chunk, Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr., at the young age of 26, gave his life and received the nation- highest tribute, the Congressional Medal of Honor, for gallantry and bravery beyond the call of duty. It all happened on 5 November 1950 near Chonghyon, Korea. From his position on the point of a ridge immediately in front of the company command post Corporal Red Cloud was the first to detect the approach of the Chinese Communist forces and give the alarm as the enemy charged from a brush-covered area less than 100 feet from him. He held his position and fought fearlessly. This heroic act stopped the enemy from overrunning his company- position and gained time for reorganization and evacuation of the wounded. Cpl. Red Cloud- dauntless courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon him and upholds the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army. Attractions Winnebago Indian Museum, 5 miles North of Wisconsin Dells, Junction of River Road & Hwy. 13 Memorial weekend through Labor Day. (608) 254-2268. School trips by appointment, call (608) 253-7777 Ho-Chunk Nation House of Wellness, 1 mile from Ho-Chunk Casino. Open to the public. (888) 552-7889 Ho-Chunk Nation Bison Ranch Muscoda, Wisconsin. For tours or educational materials (608) 739-3360 More information at: www.ho-chunk.com Ho-Chunk Nation P.O. Box 667 Black River Falls, WI 54615 Phone: (715) 284-9343 Fax: (715) 284-9805 http://www.ho-chunk.com Lodging Information