Wisconsin Legislature passes ICWA Codification ... - Ho-Chunk Nation

Vol. XXIII, Issue 21 Ca Hikiruxe wira | Deer Mating Moon November 6, 2009 

John Kozlowicz 

Staff Writer 

On October 20, the Wisconsin 

State Legislature passed 

the Indian Child Welfare Act 

(ICWA) Codification Bill. 

The Senate passed SB 288 by 

a vote of 32-0. The Assembly 

passed AB 421, a companion 

bill, by a vote of 95-0. Governor 

James Doyle is expected 

to sign both into law in 

the near future. The legislation 

is seen as a means of improving 

the child welfare 

system for Indian children by 

empowering the state to fully 

implement the requirements 

of ICWA, passed by Congress 

in 1978. 

In 1978 Congress put the 

following into law: “The 

Congress hereby declares that 

First Class 

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Permit No. 203 

Eau Claire, WI 

HOCAK WORAK NEWSPAPER 

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Please notify the Newspaper of 

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NIEA 2009 

it is the policy of this Nation 

to protect the best interests of 

Indian children and to promote 

the stability and security 

of Indian tribes and families 

by the establishment of minimum 

Federal standards for 

the removal of Indian children 

from their homes and the 

placement of such children in 

foster or adoptive homes 

which will reflect on the 

unique values of Indian culture, 

and by providing for assistance 

to Indian tribes in the 

operation of child and family 

service programs. An ‘Indian 

child” was defined by 

ICWA as “any unmarried person 

under age 18 and is either 

a member of an Indian tribe 

or eligible for membership in 

an Indian tribe and is the bio- 

Page 4 

HCN soldier 

earns 

Bronze 

Star 

Page 7 

Wisconsin Legislature 

passes ICWA 

Codification Bills 

logical child of a member of 

an Indian tribe. 

Earlier Sate Senator Robert 

Jauch and State Representative 

helped draft legislation 

that would incorporate provisions 

of ICWA with Wisconsin 

State Statutes. Both SB 

288 and AB 421 clarify the 

process regarding the placement 

of Indian children needing 

a home. Following nearly 

a year of identifying, meeting 

with and negotiating with 

identified stakeholders, on 

September 16, there was a 

Public Hearing on the proposed 

legislation before a 

joint meeting of the Assembly 

and Senate Committees on 

Children and Families. Both 

Committees later voted unanimously 

to move the legisla- 

Submitted by 

Anne Thundercloud 

The Ho-Chunk Nation has purchased the property in Beloit 

that had previously been targeted for the development of 

an off-reservation casino by two northern Wisconsin tribes. 

That casino application was rejected by the federal government 

in January of this year. 

“The Ho-Chunk Nation has been and continues to be very 

interested in economic development opportunities in Beloit,” 

Ho-Chunk Nation Vice-President Daniel Brown said today. 

“The purchase of this property represents a significant step 

toward pursuing those opportunities.” 

“We are looking forward to the chance to talk with local 

leaders about potential opportunities to bring jobs, economic 

development, and further investments to the Beloit area.” 

The Ho-Chunk Nation is actively pursuing diversification 

of its business and recognizes the opportunities that the Beloit 

property and the local skilled workforce can play in its 

long-term goals. 

Brown noted that the Ho-Chunk Nation maintains significant 

interest in a casino development in the area and remains 

the only tribal nation with a real opportunity to site a casino 

there. Not only do they already have a an additional site 

guaranteed in their compact agreement with the State of 

Wisconsin and tribal land in reasonable proximity, they also 

tion out of Committee. 

In a report issued to Ho- 

Chunk President Wilfrid 

Cleveland and the Ho-Chunk 

Nation Legislature, Ho-Chunk 

Department of Justice Attorney, 

Kris Goodwill explained 

that though several amendments 

were made to the bill, 

its passage was still a positive 

for Indian children and families 

living in Wisconsin. She 

is hopeful that passage will 

increase compliance with 

ICWA and protect the best interest 

of Ho-Chunk children 

while promoting the stability 

and security of the Ho-Chunk 

Nation and its communities. 

She reported: “Even with 

these amendments the bill has 

many substantive provisions 

that improve the child welfare 

have federally-recognized aboriginal ties to Beloit and the 

region, which is a critically important element of casino approval 

by the Bureau of In- 

dian Affairs. 

“The Ho-Chunk people are 

the aboriginal people of 

Kecak…today known as Beloit, 

and we take tremendous 

pride in that heritage,” Ho- 

Chunk Nation President Wilfrid 

Cleveland said today. 

“That makes for a natural 

partnership with the city and 

the region, and we are excited 

to explore all the possibilities. 

Vice-President Brown concluded: 

“This month, the Ho- 

Chunk Nation has put our 

money where our mouth is 

and made a significant investment 

in Beloit; and we look 

forward to continuing a conversation 

on how to build on 

that investment in the coming 

weeks and months.” 

system for Indian children. 

Those substantive provisions 

include the definition and description 

of the testimony of a 

qualifies expert witness, the 

application of ICWA, regardless 

of whether an Indian 

child is currently part of an 

“existing Indian family,” the 

definition and description of 

active efforts, the requirement 

of notice to the parent(s), Indian 

custodian and Tribe by 

registered mail, the use of 

placement preferences, the 

withdrawal of consent in a 

voluntary proceeding, the invalidation 

of certain orders 

upon violation of ICWA and 

the conduction of home studies 

by tribal child welfare 

agencies.” 

Ho-Chunk Nation purchases 

Beloit property 

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PAGE 2 LETTERS Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

To the Editor of Hocak Worak; 

This letter is being written 

in the hopes that we can 

reclaim our kids. I know 

there isn’t one among us 

who will admit that you’ve 

lost your kids. Me, I have 

one kid. That kid is an 

adult now, but will always 

be my kid. I was involved, 

at one time, doing child 

care. My one kid then got 

to have “siblings” to learn 

from and to play with. My 

family is so huge that I, 

now, have lots of kids and 

my one kid has lots of 

blood siblings around. 

Still, since getting training 

in how to raise a happy, 

healthy kid I came to realize 

that all the kids in the 

community are mine. It 

was easy to give all the 

kids I came in contact with 

all the love I could. That 

made that career choice 

very rewarding and something 

me and mine will 

never forget. 

I wasn’t raised to be a 

fluent Hochunk speaking 

person, but I was raised to 

know my clan, and I was 

raised to know that Elders 

were (mostly) deserving of 

my reverence and respect. 

I was raised to know that a 

higher power is taking care 

of all of us, in a good way, 

and that none of us are mistakes. 

I was also raised to 

know that we are not per- 

fect, and that we, humans, 

will make mistakes and we 

better take care of those 

mistakes for they will come 

back to us. But, I’m not a 

fluent Hochunk speaking 

person. Explaining that is a 

whole different story, today 

I want to communicate to 

my community the need for 

us to reclaim our kids. 

Recently I read about the 

Llama mafia. I had personal 

contact with this 

group, and I know every 

one of them and I know 

their parents. I am not here 

to discredit any of them or 

their parents. I just want 

them to know that they are 

loved and when they hurt 

someone, they are truly 

hurting their own loved 

ones. I am far from being 

perfect, just like you, no 

better, no worse. 

I was raised to believe 

that when someone hurts 

us, the only retaliation to 

use, and still be proud to be 

Hochunk, was good, positive 

thoughts and wishes 

for those people who are 

sending out the negative 

energy, for that negative 

energy will come back to 

them and they will need 

our help. 

I’m at wits end and it 

hurts my heart to know that 

there’s some of our kids 

who are out there, in our 

Nike N7 Collection 

Hello, 

My name is Joe Erler and I am the Assistant 

Coach at Wisconsin Dells, your local Nike Factory 

Store. I am reaching out to invite you to an 

event dedicated entirely to the launch of the N7 

Collection. On November 7, 2009 we are launching 

the first collection dedicated to the N7 fund. 

Nike created the N7 fund to promote youth fitness 

and youth sport programs in Native communities. 

Sport is a means to unleash that potential 

and establish a positive footprint. To learn more 

about N7 go to facebook.com/nikeN7 

We have loaded our store with the N7 collection: 

Men’s and Women’s Air Pegasus, Men’s 

Huarache, Boys and Girls Preschool and Toddler 

shoes and an adult organic tee shirt. 

Let me know if you have any questions and 

please feel free to contact me anytime by e-mail 

or phone. I am excited to connect with you and 

have you check out the incredible product that we 

have available. 

Joe Erler 

608-253-3247 

Joe.erler@nike.com 

Per Cap Sweep Domestic 

This is what the local law 

enforcement community does 

right around the time of per 

cap disbursements. The local 

law enforcement community 

zeros in on the native community 

because they know when 

we get the money. 

I used to agree with that 

statement. I used to be the 

biggest mouth for that theory, 

probably because I was always 

getting caught by the 

local police force. 

Now, I have to say that I no 

longer believe that statement 

to be true. My mind was 

changed when my AODA 

counselor advised me to try to 

stay away from certain places 

and people to avoid alcohol. 

The places would be easy for 

me to avoid, but the people…that’s 

another story. 

Those people are many of my 

own friends and even many of 

my own relatives and family. 

I can’t avoid the people I love 

and share this life with. How- 

ever, the truth of the situation 

started to show. 

The truth of the situation is 

that many of us, not only me 

and my friends and family, 

are doing something wrong 

and the law enforcement community 

can’t just look the 

other way. Sure, that would 

be nice if they could look the 

other way and leave us completely 

alone, but there are 

kids and other law abiding citizens 

in my small community 

who will and are being negatively 

affected by the wrongs 

of their neighbors (and, yes, 

even the wrongs of their own 

relatives.) So, in my eyes, 

we are bringing this “per cap 

sweep” down upon ourselves. 

I realize those are strong 

words, but I have to stand behind 

them. I see too many 

Hochunks in jail, or at the 

probation office, and even in 

their coffins. It’s the truth 

that I see. It’s our own responsibility 

to save ourselves, 

Nike is releasing a one-of-akind 

of collection that has design 

specifications with Native 

inspiration! It is called the N7 

Collection, created to promote 

youth fitness and youth sport 

programs in Native communities. 

The collection is limited 

edition and only available in 

small quantities. I wanted to 

send you all a picture of the 

collection and let you know 

where they can be purchased. 

They will sell out fast! One of 

the best things about the collection, 

is that a percentage of the 

proceeds will go to the N7 

Fund!! Native communities 

can apply for grants through 

the fund. Right now the website 

is www.letmeplayonnativelands.org 

and communities can 

submit a grant request until 

11/15/09 for this year's giving 

cycle. There will be more opportunities 

in the future to 

apply too! 

don’t leave it up to the police!! 

While I may have your attention 

I’d like to also take 

this time to apologize to the 

members of my community 

for being such a nuisance. 

And I’d like to also thank 

those of you who will stand 

by me as I, once again, undertake 

the recovery process. I 

will be trying to improve my 

life and hopefully those improvements 

will positively affect 

my small community. 

I also want to apologize to 

any kids who might be reading 

this. My own alcohol 

abuse has allowed me to slack 

off on my responsibility to all 

of you as one of your teachers. 

As I seek to improve my 

life I hope those improvements 

will touch yours also. 

Thank you for taking the 

time to read. 

Susan A. Slowey 

(Snowball) 

More information 

on the N7 

Collection 

Launch: 

Date of 

launch: Saturday, 

November 7th 

(Date selected for 

the N7 and November 

being Native 

American 

Heritage Month) 

Some Nike 

Factory Store 

Locations that 

the shoe is 

available: 

Albertville, MN, 

Cabazon, CA, 

Kansas City, KS, 

Niagara Falls, NY, 

Seattle, WA, Tempe, AZ, 

Wisconsin Dells, WI, and 

Woodburn, OR. 

For those of that are not near 

a Factory Store will also be 

available online at 

www.nikestore.com on 11/7. 

Nike Air Native N7 

own communities, who are 

getting away from our 

ways. Bringing back the 

Security Force doesn’t really 

sound like a good plan. 

That’s a different way than 

our own. As Parents, 

Brothers, Sisters, Daughters 

and Sons we really 

need to brainstorm to fix 

this problem of our kids 

getting away from our 

ways. Like I told my son, 

all I can say is that it starts 

right here. 

Susan A. Slowey 

Tribal Member 

The Considered Design ethos 

also honors the traditional Native 

Seventh Generation philosophy, 

an approach that respects 

the impact of decisions made 

today on seven generations. 

abuse 

is haunting 

I am thankful today for the healing within our family….meanwhile 

I forgive….only to be haunted by repeat 

visits to the doctors or therapy appointments, for harm 

caused to my family members. Whom may never be 

healed fully from living with a violent repeat offender. 

Domestic abuse in the home does damage everyone…. 

Today I am accountable for my past and present I will 

continue to pray and be thankful for our safety, which I 

am, how much I am continuing to learn, and who I have 

to share my life with… 

SOMEONE SHOULD BE MADE TO BE 

HELD ACCOUNTABLE, 

AND NO LONGER BE PERMITTED TO 

LIVE IN DENIAL…. 

Due to the content and former victim of domestic abuse 

the author will remain anonymous. 

The Risk Tolerance Survey had an error… 

The average of the results in issue 20 showed 

a comma instead of a period. The numbers 

looked like 2,999,632 versus 2.9996. 

Leland Fulwilder 

Ho-Chunk Nation

November 6, 2009 

The first American Indian 

Day was celebrated in May 

1916 in New York. Red Fox 

James, a Blackfeet Indian, 

rode horseback from state to 

state, getting endorsements 

from 24 state governments, to 

have a day to honor American 

Indians. In 1990, President 

George H.W. Bush signed a 

joint congressional resolution 

designating November 1990 

as “National Indian Heritage 

Month.” Similar proclamations 

have been made every 

year since 1994. This “Facts 

for Features” presents data for 

American Indians and Alaska 

Natives, one of the six major 

race categories. 

Population 

As of July 1, 2008 the estimated 

population of American 

Indians and Alaska Natives 

was 4.9 million (1.6 percent 

of the U.S. population. This 

includes those of more than 

one race. 

The projected population of 


Natives on July 1, 2050 is 8.6 

million. (2 percent of the U.S. 

population.) 

From July 1, 2007 to July 1, 

2008 the American Indian and 

Native Alaskan population 

rose by 83,250. 

The median age of the 

American Indian and Alaska 

Native population in 2008 

was 29.7, younger than the 

median of 36.8 for the general 

population. About 30 percent 

of the American Indian and 

Alaska Native population 

were younger than 18. About 

8 percent were 65 and older. 

The American Indian and 

Dear Community Agency Member: 

National Hunger and 

Homelessness Awareness 

Week is November 15-21, 

2009. Every year, in the spirit 

of Thanksgiving and education, 

the National Coalition 

for the Homeless and the National 

Student Campaign 

Against Hunger and Homelessness 

co-sponsor National 

Hunger and Homelessness 

Awareness Week, one week 

prior to Thanksgiving. During 

this week, schools, communities 

and cities throughout the 

nation endeavor to bring a 

greater awareness to the issues 

of hunger and homelessness. 

Last year the national 

poverty rate rose to include 

39.8 million Americans, 13.2 

percent of the population, up 

from 12.5 percent in 2007. 

More than 36 million people 

were at risk of suffering from 

hunger in the United States, 

including 1 in 3 children. In 

Alaska Native population in 

California as of July 1, 2008 

was 738,978, the highest of 

any state. Next were Oklahoma 

(406,492) and Arizona 

(359,841). 

In 2008, American Indians 

and Alaska Native were the 

largest race or ethnic minority 

group in five states. The 

states are Alaska, Montana, 

North Dakota, Oklahoma and 

South Dakota. 

Eleven states had more than 

100,000 America Indian and 

Alaska Native residents on 

July 1, 2008. These states 

were California, Oklahoma, 

Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, 

New York, Washington, 

Florida, North Carolina, 

Michigan and Alaska. These 

states were home to 61 percent 

of the U.S. American Indian 

and Alaska Native 

population. 

In Alaska, 18 percent of the 

population was identified as 

American Indian or Alaska 

Native on July 1, 2008, the 

highest rate for this race 

group of any state. Alaska 

was followed by Oklahoma 

and Nebraska, both at 11 percent. 

On July 1, 2008 Los Angeles 

County, CA reported an 


Native population of 155,010, 

the highest of any county in 

the United States. 

Ten counties with total populations 

of 10,000 people or 

more reported a population 

that was a majority of American 

Indians or Alaska Natives. 

As of July 1, 2008, Shannon, 

S.D. (88 percent) led the way 

addition, 3.5 million people 

were forced to sleep in parks, 

under bridges, in shelters or 

cars. The combination of the 

high cost of living, low-wage 

jobs, and high unemployment 

rates only exacerbate these 

problems and force countless 

Americans to choose between 

food, housing, and other expenses. 

Studies show that 

money devoted to food is typically 

the first to be sacrificed. 

Families will often pay their 

fixed payments first, such as 

rent and utilities, rather than 

pay for food. Bread for the 

World reported that 35% of 

Americans had to choose between 

food and rent, while 

28% had to choose between 

medical care and food, in the 

first half of 2004. For information 

on what it costs to 

maintain a family of four, 

please see 

http://www.usccb.org/cchd/po 

vertyusa/tour.htm. 

Awareness PAGE 3 

Celebrating November as American 

Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month 

U.S. Census Bureau releases “Facts for Features” 

ATTENTION: The NEXT DEADLINE of 

the Hoca\k Worak will be Nov. 13th, which 

will be published on Nov. 20th. Please 

contact Enrollment at ext. 1015 if you have 

a change of address or would like to be 

placed on the mailing list. 

in this category. 

Families and 

Children 

There were 

545,405 American 

Indian and Alaska 

Native families in 

2008. 321,430 

were married-couple families, 

including those with children. 

145,692 were married couples 

with their own children under 

18. 

The average number of people 

in an American Indian and 

Alaska Native family in 2008 

was 3.64. The national average 

size for all families, regardless 

of race, was 3.22. 

Housing 

Fifty-five percent of American 

Indian and Alaska Native 

households owned their own 

home in 2008. The median 

value of these homes was 

$129,000. 

Language 

Twenty-nine percent of 


Natives, age 5 and older, 

spoke a language other than 

English at home. 

Education 

Seventy-six percent of 


Natives, age 25 and older, had 

a least a high school diploma. 

An additional 13 percent had 

a least a Bachelor’s Degree. 

A total of 57,146 Native 

Americans and Alaska Natives 

had a graduate or professional 

degree. 

Businesses 

In 2002, there were 201,387 


Native owned businesses. 

The receipts for these busi- 

The rise in the poverty rate, 

the highest since 1997, may 

mean an even larger poverty 

increase in 2009 with higher 

unemployment rates than last 

year. Median family incomes 

also fell in 2008, being lower 

than the prior decade and 

wiping out the income gains 

of the previous three years. 

Lack of health insurance for 

many families exacerbates 

these issues. 

Homelessness has a devas- 

nesses totaled $26.9 billion. 

There were 38,125 American 


owned businesses in California, 

which led all states. 

Oklahoma, Texas, New York 

and Florida followed. 

Nearly 30 percent of all 


Native owned firms operated 

in construction and other 

services. (such as personal 

services, repair and maintenance). 



owned firms that had paid 

employees. These businesses 

employed 191,270 people. 



owned firms with receipts totaling 

over $ 1 million. These 

firms accounted for nearly 

two percent of the American 


owned firms and more than 

64 percent of the total receipts. 

178 of these firms 

had over 100 employees. 

Jobs 

Twenty-four percent of 

civilian-employed American 

Indian and Alaska Native people, 

age 16 and older, worked 

in management, professional 

and related occupations. In 

addition, 24 percent worked 

in sales and office occupations 

and about the same percentage 

worked in service 

tating impact on children and 

youth educational opportunities. 

Residency requirements, 

guardianship requirements, 

delays in transfer of school 

records, lack of transportation, 

and lack of immunization 

records often prevent 

homeless children from enrolling 

in school. Homeless 

children and youth who are 

able to enroll in school still 

face barriers to regular attendance: 

while 87% of home- 

occupations. 

Caregivers 

Fifty-six percent of American 

Indians and Alaska Natives 

over 30 lived with 

grandchildren and were responsible 

for their care. The 

corresponding rate for the 

population as a whole was 41 

percent. Veterans 

In 2008 there were 160,471 


Native veterans of the U.S. 

Armed Forces. 

Income and Poverty 

The median income of 

households from the 2008 

American Community Survey 

where the householder reported 

being American Indian/Alaska 

Native was 

$37,815. The poverty rate of 

the same group was 24.2 percent. 

Health Insurance 

Nearly one-third (31.7 percent) 

of people who reported 

they were American Indian 

and Alaska Native lacked 

health insurance, based on a 

three-year average (2006- 

2008). 

Data was collected from a 

variety of sources and may be 

subject to sampling variability 

and other sources of error. 

Questions or comments 

should be directed to the Census 

Bureau’s Public Information 

Office at (301) 763-3030. 

less youth are enrolled in 

school, only 77% attend 

school regularly (U.S. Department 

of Education, 2004). 

The struggles faced by 

those that lack a home are 

certainly difficult and often 

times leave children (people) 

feeling lonely. Bringing attention 

to the plight of the homeless 

by participating in this 

week of awareness may foster 

greater understanding and sol- 

The Hocak Worak is a periodical published twice monthly by the Ho-Chunk Nation. Editorials and articles appearing 

in the Hocak Worak are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or attitude of the 

Hocak Worak staff or the Ho-Chunk Nation. 

The Hocak Worak encourages the submission of letters to the Editor. All letters must include the signature, address 

and telephone number of the author. Letters are subject to editing for grammar, length, malicious and libelous content. 

The Hocak Worak reserves the right to reject any advertising, material, or letters submitted for publication. The 

submission of articles, poetry, artwork and photos is encouraged. The Editor makes the sole decision of what is 

published in the Hocak Worak. The Hocak Worak will not assume any responsibility for unsolicited material. 

Submissions deadlines for the Hocak Worak are by 4:30 PM on the First and Third Fridays of the month. We 

cannot guarantee the publication of submissions meeting these deadlines if the space is not available. No part of this 

publication may be produced without express written consent from the Editor. 

EDITOR ......................................Tracy Pecore 

STAFF WRITER....................John Kozlowicz 

Administrative Assistant ....Anna Reichenbach 

The Hocak Worak 

is a member of: 

The Native American 

Journalist Association 

Continued on Page 6 

HOCAK WORAK NEWSLETTER 

P.O. Box 667 

Black River Falls, WI 54615 

• PHONE: (800) 472-3089 

• FAX: (715) 284-7852 

• E-MAIL: 

tracy.pecore@ho-chunk.com 

• ONLINE: 

www.ho-chunknation.com

PAGE 4 NIEA Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

Shaping our future 

wisdom keepers 

40th Annual National Indian Education AssociationConference 

Tracy Pecore 

Newsletter Editor 

As the convention moves 

around the country each year, 

the local committee selects a 

theme. The theme for the 

40th annual convention held 

in Milwaukee on October 22- 

25 with over 2,000 attendees, 

was “Shaping Our Future 

Wisdom Keepers”. NIEA’s 

unofficial motto, according to 

NIEA President Robert B. 

Cook was, “It’s a good day to 

be Educated”. 

As stated by the NIEA 

Board, the National Indian 

Education Association was 

founded “to support traditional 

Native cultures and values, 

to enable Native learners 

to become contributing members 

of their communities, to 

promote Native control of educational 

institutions, and to 

improve educational opportunities 

and resources for American 

Indians, Alaska Natives, 

and Native Hawaiians 

throughout the United States”. 

There was ample time to 

meet and socialize with members 

from other states as well 

as attend some excellent 

workshops and other activities 

scheduled. The NIEA 

board and local committee did 

an excellent job. This year’s 

theme was meant to acknowledge 

elders and youth but also 

to recognize the roles we all 

play in “making sure our values 

and indigenous ways are 

carried on for future generations,” 

as stated by the local 

Hiwasipi Singers singing the Flag Song. 

chairs, Jenelle Klumb, Celeste 

Clark ,and Diane Amour. 

A proclamation proclaiming 

October 22, 2009 as NIEA 

Day by Governor Jim Doyle 

and Tom Barrett, Mayor of 

Milwaukee, were included in 

the program showing support 

for the Convention. Senator 

Herb Kohl made a clear statement 

that “our Native American 

Nations contribute to the 

vitality of Wisconsin”. The 

State Superintendent of 

Schools, Dr. Tony Evers, also 

supported the Convention. 

These letters made it clear to 

all in attendance that a path 

was set for an excellent educational 

experience. 

An elders Network of meetings 

was held throughout the 

conference focusing on exercise 

benefits, traditional foods 

for health and wellness, balancing 

daily stress with alternative 

therapy, and creative 

basket weaving. With help 

from the Education Department, 

25-40 HCN elders attended 

the NIEA conference 

this year. 

A walk-a-thon was also 

held to provide a wellness and 

healthy lifestyles component. 

As everyone registered, they 

were provided a free pedometer 

to keep track of the number 

of steps taken each day 

and recorded to be entered for 

a chance at a daily drawing. 

The Ho-Chunk Nation was 

visible as presenters all week. 

Mornings were reserved for 

General Assemblies and cau- 

cuses. Afternoons were for a 

variety of workshops (30 or 

more each hour to choose 

from), and a different activity 

each evening. 

Woodrow White, NIEA 

local planning committee 

member, was in charge of getting 

the Ho-Chunk Nation 

cultural presenters and the 

opening ceremonies delegation 

together that helped open 

the first general assembly on 

Thursday, October 22. Designated 

Ho-Chunk Veteran, 

Robert Mann, represented the 

Nation well and brought in 

the HCN flag followed by a 

delegation of five Ho-chunk 

people representing an elder, 

an adult, a teen and a young 

child and all were dressed in 

traditional regalia. The Hiwasipi 

Singers provided the 

Flag song. 

Brian Jackson, from Lac Du 

Flambeau and member of the 

Great Lakes Inter Tribal 

Council, was also in charge of 

making sure that all tribes 

from Wisconsin were present 

for the opening assembly each 

morning. He said they started 

planning in March, 2009. 

Although the weather was 

wet and rainy, it did not stop 

NIEA participants from walking 

a block or two to attend 

the conference. If you are interested 

in attending, next 

year’s conference will be held 

in San Diego, California October 

7-10, 2010. 

Six Eagle Staffs, thirteen tribal flags, and eleven tribes representing Wisconsin at 

the 2009 NIEA conference. 

Opening Ceremony and First General Assembly. 

Allan Caldwell (Menominee) leading a representative 

from each WI tribe in with the NIEA Eagle Staff. 

Robert Mann bringing in the HCN Flag, along with 

HCN representatives Gordon Thunder, Nyree 

Kedrowski and her son Joseph Kedrowski. 

I’d like to take the time to say a special thank you to the 

Milwaukee area tribal members who assisted Public Relations 

during the recent National Indian Education Association’s 

annual conference held in Milwaukee. 

The Ho-Chunk Nation received an exhibit space as part of 

the sponsorship package. Exhibit hours began early in the 

morning and lasted throughout the day, ending to be a very 

long day for all those participating. The Ho-Chunk Nation 

Office of Public Relations would like to thank the following 

individuals: 

Clarissa Pettibone 

Curtis Prescott 

Ruth Yellowthunder 

Sue Brochaus 

Pat Schulz 

Alvina Bolinski 

Cheri Byhre 

Tracy Prescott 

Angela Twinn 

Each one of the above tribal members volunteered and 

took time out of their day to represent the Nation. Every 

day of the conference we met people from across the country 

that came to our homeland and left with a good impression 

of our people. Wainiginapwina to each of the 

Milwaukee relatives who helped maintain our goal of sharing 

our culture and promoting all that our Nation has to 

offer. 

Anne Thundercloud, Public Relations Officer


Tracy Pecore 


On October 22, the Ho- 

Chunk Nation took part in the 

Cultural Feast night held at 

the new Indian Community 

School in Milwaukee for the 

2009 National Indian Education 

Conference. Although 

the evening was chilly and 

raining outside, the gymnasium 

was packed with spectators 

from all over the United 

States from many different 

tribes. 

Of course the main immediate 

highlight of the evening 

was the fabulous feast of food 

which included traditional 

wild rice, deer meat gravy, 

and many other items. The 

most important part of the 

evening was the meeting and 

visiting while we ate with Native 

students, teachers, parents 

and everybody from all 

over Indian country. Important 

contacts were made, educational 

networking started, 

stories were shared and new 

friends were made right at the 

first evening of the conference. 

After the feast, several cultural 

workshops and demonstrations 

took place at the 

same time and it was very 

hard to get a glimpse of 

everything. Gordon Thunder 

was one of many presenters 

that evening and coordinated 

a Snake Dance performance 

that took place at two different 

times and included 10 

HCN dancers. The songs 

were sung by the Hiwasipi 

singers. Five other tribes 

from Wisconsin performed 

their traditional dances and 

songs including the Menominee 

with the Fish Dance, 

Potawatomi with the Feather 

Dance, Ojibwe with the Buck 

and Doe Dance, and the 

Oneida with the Stomp 

Dance. Crowd participation 

was also encouraged. 

Other workshops taking 

place for cultural night were 

demonstrations of the Moccasin 

game which was presented 

by the HCN Historical 

Preservation Staff, and the 

Kasu Game lead by Suzette 

LaMere, Priscilla Cleveland, 

and Rita Kingswan. To some, 

they have never heard about 

or have seen the Moccasin 

game and had fun trying it. 

To others, they were old pros! 

Throughout the evening, 

there were also workshops on 

Ho-Chunk Language presented 

by Richard Mann. 

“Language is important. We 

cannot translate it into Eng- 

CULTURE PAGE 5 

Cultural feast night 

Richard Mann speaking in Ho-Chunk and telling the 

story about Ho-Chunk history and where we began. 

Techniques in hiding the bullet. 

lish. We are losing speakers, 

and it is getting tough! And 

that is why we started the 

Language Apprentice Program,” 

said Mann. 

Mann also talked about the 

Whirling Thunder kids learn- 

ing Ho-Chunk and “it’s those 

little 3 year olds who are the 

best teachers we have; Sneaky 

too because they know English 

also,” as he chuckled and 

continued to talk about the 

Ho-Chunk history. 

Moccasin Game presented by the HCN Historical Preservation Staff. 

HCN Dance presentation of the Snake Dance. 

Sometimes, taking time to 

learn about tradition and culture 

is taken for granted. 

There is always time to learn 

who you are and where you 

come from! 

Lessons in learning how to play the Kasu Game with Suzette LaMere and Rita 

Kingswan.

PAGE 6 TRADITION Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

Travois New Markets to boost 

economic development on 

American Indian reservations 

CDE receives $80 million allocation of New Markets Tax Credits 

Kansas City, Mo., 

(Nov. 2, 2009) 

The U.S. Department of the 

Treasury announced awards 

of New Markets Tax Credits 

on Friday, and Travois New 

Markets, a nationally certified 

Community Development Entity 

(CDE), will receive an 

$80 million allocation. 

Ninety-nine CDEs out of 249 

applicants received allocations. 

Travois New Markets is 

the only national CDE receiving 

an allocation in this round 

that will dedicate it solely to 

serving the American Indian 

community. 

Travois New Markets’ 

award comes from the additional 

$1.5 billion of New 

Markets Tax Credit investment 

authority that was authorized 

through the 

American Recovery and Reinvestment 

Act of 2009. 

“Jobs will result from this 

wonderful allocation — gobs 

of jobs,” said David Bland, 

Travois chairman. “There is 

no place in the country more 

Dear Member 

Continued from Page 3 

idarity. This week also provides 

a great opportunity for 

community agencies to become 

involved with local 

schools and provide mentoring 

for homeless students. For 

tools to inspire your community 

to get involved with National 

Hunger and 


Week, view this link: 

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/projects/awareness/20 

09manual.pdf. Other ideas include: 

an awareness walk 

ending with a food drive at a 

local food pantry, an appreciation 

day to recognize people 

who are making efforts to end 

hunger and homelessness and 

a call to the public to spend 

part of their day volunteering 

with an organization that 

in need of jobs than Indian 

Country. This $80 million allocation, 

which is a larger allocation 

than all but 16 of the 

99 made nationwide, will give 

us the ability to finance energy 

projects, critical water, 

waste water and telecommunication 

infrastructure projects 

and any number of other 

creative and critically important 

projects on Indian reservations. 

We are on cloud nine 

about this allocation and cannot 

wait to put the money to 

use.” 

New Markets Tax Credits 

are allocated annually by the 

Community Development Financial 

Institutions Fund 

(CDFI Fund), a division of 

the U.S. Department of Treasury, 

to qualified CDEs. CDEs 

are private companies that finance 

economic development 

projects in low-income communities. 

Travois New Markets will 

use its allocation to help fund 

economic development projects 

in American Indian com- 

helps to end hunger and 

homelessness. 

Other resources include: 

In Their Own Voices – a 15 

minute video about children 

speaking about being homeless 

that can be shown to staff 

during National Hunger and 


Week. If you need a copy of 

this video, contact Wisconsin 

Child Care Information Center 

(CCIC), 2109 South 

Stoughton Road, (608) 224- 

5388, (608) 224-6178 (fax), 

ccic@dpi.wi.gov. 

NEWIST at CESA 7, Green 

Bay – has produced videos on 

poverty and teachers guides. 

Information is available at 

http://www.ecb.org. 

UW Extension – offers a 

new curriculum titled Poverty 

SUMMONS 

(Second Publication) 

IN THE HO-CHUNK NATION TRIAL COURT 

State of WI. & Cory L. Essex, Petitioner, v. Jayce R. Littlegeorge, Respondent. 

Case : CS09-60 

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: Jayce R. Littlegeorge 

You are hereby informed that you have been named a respondent in the 

above-entitled civil lawsuit. This legal notice of the Petition to Register & Enforce 

a Foreign Judgment or Order is now served upon you by publication. Your 

written Answer to the Petition must be filed with the Court on or before the 

twentieth day from the date of the second published issuance of this Summons. 

You may request a hearing within your written response. See RECOGNITION OF 

FOREIGN CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS ORDINANCE, 4 HCC § 2.5. Also, you must send 

or present a copy of your Answer to the opposing party listed above or to their 

attorney of record. Failure to file a timely Answer in the time allowed can affect 

your right to object to the enforcement of the foreign judgment or order. 

Id., § 2.6c. 

The Trial Court is physically located at Wa Ehi Hocira, W9598 Highway 54 

East, Black River Falls, (Jackson County) Wisconsin. The Trial Court’s mailing 

address is P. O. Box 70, Black River Falls, WI 54615. The telephone number 

is (715) 284-2722, or toll free 800-434-4070, and the facsimile number is 

(715) 284-3136. 

munities that export goods 

and services and meet local 

needs. It will focus on rural 

reservations but will also consider 

projects in highly distressed 

urban communities 

that have significant American 

Indian populations. 

“The NMTC program al- 

lows us to offer low-cost, 

flexible financing to economic 

development projects,” 

said Phil Glynn, director of 

Travois New Markets. “We 

will give Indian Country leaders 

the resources they need to 

Awareness for Community 

Engagement (PACE). Your 

local UW Extension county 

agent can be reached at 

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/ 

Green Bay School District – 

has a service learning unit on 

Nutrition and Well-Being 

which addresses hunger and 

poverty. Contact Michelle 

Eberhardt at MEBER- 

HAR@greenbay.k12.wi.us for 

additional information. 

The Corporation for National 

and Community Service 

has a Resource Center 

where programs and schools 

can be part of an information 

exchange. Example of effective 

practices for working 

with homeless youth can be 

found on the website, 

http://www.nationalservicere- 

generate green energy, develop 

landmark buildings and 

create high-paying jobs.” 

For a full list of the 2009 allocations, 

please visit 

www.cdfifund.gov/news_eve 

nts/CDFI-2009-59-New-Markets-Tax-Credit- 

Allocations.asp. 

In 2007, Travois 

New Markets received 

a $30 million 

allocation of 

New Markets Tax 

Credits. With this 

allocation, 

Travois New Markets 

supported 

three projects: the 

construction of 

two electrical substations 

for the 

Navajo Tribal 

Utility Authority, 

which brings power to 400 

families who were previously 

without it; the renovation of 

the historic Hotel Andaluz in 

downtown Albuquerque, 

which is setting aside 20 percent 

of hotel jobs for Ameri- 

sources.org/effective-practice. 

Examples of effective practices 

include partnering with a 

bakery to provide breakfast to 

low-income schools and starting 

a homeless garden project. 

USDA Guidance Memo SP 

15-2009 for School Nutrition 

Programs – Ways to Assist 

Families During Economic 

Turndown: 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/ 

Governance/Policy- 

Memos/2009/SP_15- 

2009_os.pdf 

Lastly, the National Center 

for Homeless Education 

(NCHE) at 

http://www.serve.org/nche is 

an excellent resource on 

poverty and homelessness issues. 

We hope you will consider 

can Indians; and the construction 

of a fish processing plant 

in the Alaska Native village of 

Platinum, Alaska., which supports 

a network of nearly 600 

fishermen. 

About Travois New Markets 

Travois New Markets, a nationally 

certified Community 

Development Entity (CDE), is 

dedicated exclusively to meeting 

the needs of American Indians 

in low-income 

communities. The Travois 

family of companies offers 

development assistance, compliance 

support, design services 

and comprehensive 

training to the nation’s American 

Indian population with 

clients across the United 

States from Washington to 

Maine. For more information 

about Travois, please visit 

www.travois.com. 

initiating some kind of awareness 

activity during National 

Hunger and Homelessness 

Awareness Week. Please contact 

the following people for 

additional information: 

Linda Krueger, Nutrition 

Program Consultant, School 

Nutrition Team at 

linda.krueger@dpi.wi.gov 

Helene Pesche, Nutrition 

Program Consultant, School 

Nutrition Team at 

helene.pesche@dpi.wi.gov 

Mary Maronek, Coordinator, 

Education for Homeless 

Children and Youth (EHCY) 

program at 

mary.maronek@dpi.wi.gov 

Jen Rubin, EHCY Monitoring 

Specialist at 

jennifer.rubin@dpi.wi.gov 

SUMMONS 

(Second Publication) 

IN THE HO-CHUNK NATION TRIAL COURT 

Family & Children Center, Petitioner, v. Stephanie Littlegeorge , Respondent. 

Case : CG09-84 

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: Stephanie Littlegeorge 

You are hereby informed that you have been named a respondent in the 

above-entitled civil lawsuit. This legal notice of the Petition to Register & Enforce 

a Foreign Judgment or Order is now served upon you by publication. Your 

written Answer to the Petition must be filed with the Court on or before the 

twentieth day from the date of the published issuance of this Summons in . See 

Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 5(C)(1)(f), 6(A). You may request 

a hearing within your written response. Id., Rule 73(A). Also, you must 

send or present a copy of your Answer to the opposing party listed above or to 

their attorney of record. Failure to file a timely Answer in the time allowed can 

affect your right to object to the enforcement of the foreign judgment or order. 

Id., Rule 54. 

The Trial Court is physically located at Wa Ehi Hocira, W9598 Highway 54 

East, Black River Falls, (Jackson County) Wisconsin. The Trial Court’s mailing 

address is P. O. Box 70, Black River Falls, WI 54615. The telephone 

number is (715) 284-2722, or toll free 800-434-4070, and the facsimile number 

is (715) 284-3136.


Submitted by 

Ho-Chunk Nation Public 

Relations team 

On October 20, 2009, Dennis 

Conrad, Founder, President and 

Chief Strategist of Raving Consulting 

Company was the keynote 

speaker at Ho-Chunk Casino, Bingo, 

Hotel and Convention Center. Conrad, 

a Stanford University Graduate, 

has over 35 years of experience in 

the gaming industry and has held 

senior level positions at Harrah’s 

Entertainment, Inc. and Circus Circus 

Enterprises. He has worked 

with over 300 casinos worldwide 

and as authored two books, “Conrad’s 

Corners: Observations on 

Casinos, Marketing, and Life” in 

2004, and “Conrad on Casino Marketing” 

in 2008. He has also written 

articles that portray the casino experience. 

Conrad, known for his innovation, 

is world recognized in customer 

service which can be most attributed 

to his common sense focus on 

knowing the customer. Ho-Chunk 

had previously sought his expertise 

in 2004. Conrad explained, “Tens of 

millions of dollars are lost in revenue 

due to poor customer service. 

They won’t come back if they are 

angry.” 

Conrad is a much sought-after 

speaker at both national and international 

gaming conferences. Conrad’s 

speech was the launch of the 

new Process Improvement Program 

being implemented at the Ho-Chunk 

Nation. JB Smith, Food and Beverage 

Supervisor – DeJope Gaming 

said, “There were a lot of great ideas 

discussed during the meeting. Dennis 

Conrad had a lot of good, useful 

GAMING PAGE 7 

Internationally renowned 

marketing celebrity 

Dennis Conrad addresses staff at Ho-Chunk Casino 

Submitted by 

Ho-Chunk Nation Public 

Relations team 

On October 24, over 200 

employees of Ho-Chunk 

Gaming and Whitetail Crossing 

Convenience Stores filled 

the Ho-Chunk Convention 

Center to attend the latest 

Process Improvement meeting 

that was hosted by the Department 

of Business. 

The main focus of the meeting 

was to discuss the “Importance 

of Providing Top 

Quality Customer Service”. 

The Department of Business 

recognized that our employees 

are the front runners of 

our business and can significantly 

impact the overall profitability 

and success of our 

businesses. By improving 

communication and processing 

within the nation we can 

reduce wait time and frustration 

that is often caused by 

cumbersome processes. 

Some Process Improvement 

work groups have been put in 

place to start working on 

some of the major issues 

within the nation. Greg 

Garvin stated, “Staff is encouraged 

to start their own 

work groups to solve problems 

within the work environment. 

Work groups need a 

mission statement, defined 

goals, and objectives. Once 

those are approved the work 

group can start.” 

Employees were also encouraged 

to express their 

thoughts and ideas and were 

invited to join one of the 

many different groups that 

have been formed to work 

with specific improvement 

areas. Working as a universal 

team has huge rewards on 

workplace morale which in 

turn has huge benefits for customer 

service and thus the 

bottom line. Scott Labucki, 

Rainbow Casino Environment 

Supervisor stated, “I really 

liked coming today. I plan to 

use what I learned today and 

take it back to my staff and 

re-address things. I will also 

be encouraging my staff to be 

themselves when working 

with guests.” 

Mark Denning an inspirational 

speaker from the 

Oneida Nation gave a warm 

and encouraging introduction 

to the meeting. He reminded 

us how fortunate we are to be 

employed by the Ho-Chunk 

Nation and to have the opportunity 

to work with leaders 

who are open to our concerns 

and suggestions. Denning 

commended the group saying 

that he was more than happy 

to host such an event, as 

through his experience feels 

strongly that this is a positive 

step towards improving our 

teams and business. 

Guest speaker for the day 

was Dennis Conrad from 

Raving Consulting Services, a 

world renowned speaker with 

vast knowledge of the gaming 

industry. Dennis started his 

career as a dealer and has 

worked his way through the 

ranks of many different casinos 

around the world before 

creating his own consulting 

business. He has worked with 

over 300 casinos worldwide 

and has authored two books, 

“Conrad’s Corners: Observations 

on Casinos, Marketing, 

and Life” in 2004, and “Conrad 

on Casino Marketing” in 

2008. Conrad explained, 

“Tens of Millions of dollars 

are lost in revenue due to poor 

customer service. They won’t 

come back if they are angry.” 

Conrad shared his first article 

he wrote which offered insight 

into the needs and wants 

of casino customers, and 

pointed out specific areas 

within most casinos that are 

known for better and worse 

things to say. He was really interesting.” 

“One of the essential ingredients 

to great service is to be a great 

place to work,” Conrad stated. Ho- 

Chunk Gaming continues to look 

for ways to always improve customer 

satisfaction and service, and 

its purpose is to create a better environment 

for all of its clients, guests 

and employees with the ultimate 

benefactor being the guest who 

walks thru the doors for an entertaining 

experience. Approximately 

210 Ho-Chunk Gaming employees 

attended the meeting to hear about 

Conrad’s experiences in the gaming 

industry and to listen to his words 

of encouragement. 

Process improvement 

Mr. Greg Garvin, Executive 

Director of Business 

offering a motivational 

presentation encouraging 

employees to start 

work groups within their 

departments. 

service habits. He suggested 

ways in which employees can 

step out of those norms and 

make positive change. His 

presentation was complimented 

well by the thoughts 

of our very own Randy 

Woodward, Training and Development 

Director for Ho- 

Chunk Casino, as he encouraged 

each and every employee 

to take pride in their 

jobs reminding them that their 

passion, conscience and talent 

creates their voice. 

JB Smith, Food and Beverage 

- Dejope Gaming, stated, 

“There were a lot of great 

ideas discussed during the 

meeting. I like the idea of 

branding our employee incentive 

program and introducing 

it to the public. Dennis Conrad 

had a lot of good, useful 

things to say. He was really 

interesting.” 

Throughout the day, one 

message held strong – employees 

are the framework to 

our business and we all play a 

part in shaping the service in 

which we offer and the success 

of our jobs and our business. 

“The content definitely 

kept my attention and the 

speaker’s honesty hit home. I 

enjoyed hearing such a qualified, 

experienced person dis- 

cussing things that I deal with 

on a day-to-day basis,” said 

Judy Whitehorse, Group Sales 

Representative from Dejope 

Gaming. 

Through workgroup updates, 

the message is already 

starting to grow within our facilities. 

Vision Statements, 

objectives, outlines and plans 

for workgroups that have a 

specific focus on financial 

metrics, website communication 

and creation, hospitality 

standards, contracts, workforce 

development and customer 

service were shared 

with the audience confirming 

the fact that we should be 

proud of the steps in which 

our team has already taken towards 

our final goal. 

Those that are interested in 

becoming part of this positive 

change are welcome to join 

the group at the next quarterly 

meeting which will be held on 

January 19, 2010. 

Dejope Gaming would like to thank the Ho-Chunk Nation Legion Posts for representing the 

Nation in the Middleton Good Neighbor Festival parade. Members present from the Andrew 

Blackhawk Legion Post #129 were Ralph Snake, Donald Greengrass and Colin Carrimon. 

Members present from the Joseph White Legion Post #442 were Wally Johnson, Doug Johnson, 

Bob Pidgeon, Bob Schmidt, Allan Brown, William Gadow, Bruce Winters and Tom 

Sachs. Both Posts received 3rd place recognition for all marching groups who participated.

PAGE 8 VETERANS Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

Ho-Chunk soldier earns 

Bronze Star 


Staff Writer 

On October 2, Staff Sgt. Jessika 

(Greendeer) Malott was awarded a 

Bronze Star in recognition for work 

done serving her country. The greatgranddaughter 

of the Nation’s most 

recognized warrior, Mitchell Red 

Cloud, Jr., Jessika joined the Army in 

2004 and since that time has served 

her country as a Public Affairs Specialist, 

stationed around the world. 

While stationed in Iraq, Jessika 

was presented the Bronze Star by 

Brigade Commander Col. Byron 

Freeman. Ho-Chunk Nation Department 

of Veteran Affairs spokesperson 

Robert Mann stated that to his 

knowledge, Jessika is the first Ho- 

Chunk woman awarded the Bronze 

Star. 

A citation that accompanied the 

Bronze Star read: 

For exceptionally meritorious service 

in a combat zone with risk of hostile 

action during operation Iraqi 

Freedom. Her outstanding duty performance 

during combat operations 

in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming 

success of the command’s mission. 

Her actions are in keeping with 

the finest traditions of the military 

service and reflect great credit upon 

her, multi-national corps-Iraq, and 

the United States Army. The citation 

was signed by LTG Charles Jacoby 

and Secretary of the Army, Pete 

Green. 

Jessika is the daughter of Conroy 

and Janet Greendeer of Baraboo. 

Cari Fay USMC 

Submitted by 

Cari Fay USMC 

In the year 1988, I made the 

decision to join the United 

States Marine Corps. Upon 

entering, I trained at the only 

location for female Marines, 

which is Parris Island, South 

Carolina and everybody 

knows that is like Heaven on 

Earth, just kidding. I felt like I 

was in a big cage, because we 

couldn’t leave when we 

wanted. I had that feeling a lot 

while at training, so much that 

I started to envy the birds. 

Yes, the birds! I would think 

at how, lucky there were, because 

they could just get up 

and fly away. So, I would at 

times, while standing outside 

after eating chow, waiting for 

everyone to finish eating and 

imagine that I was a bird, just 

taking flight and yes, going 

home. 

After three glorious months 

of Boot Camp and sand fleas, 

(Laughing), I was sent to another 

wonderful place, Twentynine 

Palms, California for 

Communications Training. 

Oh, yes, the warm sun greeted 

me every morning, which was 

especially exhilarating for PT, 

while enjoying the fumes of 

tanks that we were behind. Of 

course, I am being facetious. 

Following Communications 

training, I along with everyone 

else were given 10 days 

leave before being shipped or 

rather flown over to Okinawa, 

Japan. 

The flight there was interesting, 

because there were a 

lot of Marines that had to 

leave their loved ones behind, 

wives, husbands and children. 

The beginning of the flight 

wasn’t too bad; it was the 

middle of the 14 hour flight 

and that’s when emotions 

took an interesting turn. Some 

of the male Marines had heard 

that I had headphones and a 

cassette player with a Richard 

Marx tape and they all wanted 

to listen to the song “Missing 

You”. Every time someone 

would bring back the headphone 

set, they had tears in 

their eyes. There were a couple 

of guys that acted like 

they were tough all the time. 

So, it was strange to see that 

reaction from them just over 

that song and to this day 

whenever I hear that song, I 

always think about that 14 

hour flight to Okinawa. 

After landing on mainland 

Japan for a 30 minute lay 

over, I will have to say that 

when the airplane doors 

opened, we could tell by the 

sense of smell that we were 

no longer in the USA. The air 

did not smell like home, the 

smell was very different and 

kind of pungent. Well, maybe 

not that bad, but it certainly 

was not America. We were 

able to exit the airplane. So, 

my friend, Elsie and I meandered 

around the airport and 

we made one crazy discovery…in 

the bathroom…for 

those of you that don’t know, 

there was only a hole in the 

floor, which served as the toilet! 

For a brief moment we 

were in shock and then we 

just started to laugh uncontrollably 

stating that we 

would never use a bathroom 

like that. We continued 

to explore the airport 

and returned to the airplane 

for the last leg of our long 

flight. 

We finally arrived at Okinawa, 

also known as The 

Rock. We were sent to 

Camp Hansen and taken to 

orientation. Where we were 

given instructions about 

what we could do and 

where we could go while 

there. I found it interesting 

that we could not enter 

stores that had pink elephants 

in front of them and 

were informed not to eat 

any snakes that were in jars 

at these places. I was thinking, 

“Yeah, like I would eat 

that anyway”, while chuck- 

Cari Fay USMC 

ling to myself. 

We were then escorted to 

our new living quarters, a 

room for two people, which 

shared the head (bathroom) 

with another room. So, it was 

four women to one bathroom. 

I must say that was a step up 

from sharing about 8 – 10 toilets 

between 60 women during 

boot camp. (Laughing) 


Staff Writer 

Sometime in January 2010, 

Kelly Medina, currently a Financial 

Liaison Officer with 

the Ho-Chunk Nation Treasury 

Department in Black 

River Falls, will be leaving 

her position to serve her 

country. 

An E3 Army Reservist with 

the 327 Engine Company in 

Onalaska, WI, Kelly is scheduled 

to serve 12 months in either 

Iraq or Afghanistan. 

Trained as Heavy Equipment 

Operator (21E) or Plumber 

(21K), she is being deployed 

with the 492 Engine Com- 

Brigade Commander Col. Byron Freeman with Staff Sgt. Jessika 

Mallot. Photo provided by U.S. Army Major Jeff Baker. 

Also, I will 

have to admit, 

Elsie and I attended 

a function, 

and yes, 

the bathroom 

there had only 

the hole in the 

floor! (Laughing) 

I shall 

share a secret…it 

takes 

talent to perform 

that task 

with such precision. 

Anyway, 

after being 

there about a 

month, I was 

missing home 

immensely. I 

found myself writing home 

quite often and taking pictures 

of airplanes flying overhead 

and wishing that I was on the 

airplane heading home. 

Then many months later, I 

was finally able to return 

home. The month was May 

and I was disappointed that I 

missed the snow, however, 

pany in Mankato, MN. Explaining 

that the 492 lacked 

the personnel needed, Kelly 

said, “there is a need for what 

I do.” She added that prior to 

joining the Reserves two 

years ago; she had no experience 

in either area. 

Coming from a family with 

a military background, Kelly 

continued that while she is 

uncertain about what awaits 

her, at the same time she is 

excited to serve. 

While she is away, her children, 

ages nine, 11 and 12 

will be living with their father. 

my Mother woke me up on 

May 5,1990, and told me to 

look outside…low and behold 

it had snowed! As I looked 

outside I felt like a little kid 

seeing snow for the first time. 

That was too funny the way 

the snowfall had made me 

smile on the inside. Who 

would have thought of having 

that reaction after the many 

years of shoveling snow? I 

guess living in Wisconsin 

does grow on a person. 

(Laughing) 

I guess after all is said and 

done, I was happy to serve 

even though it took me from 

my home. I now realize that 

as much as I wanted to leave 

home… I really didn’t. I 

missed home. I missed my 

family, friends and yes, winters 

in Wisconsin. Thanks for 

allowing me to share these 

few memories with you all. 

Prepared to serve! 

Kelly Medina


Tracy Pecore 


Ranked as an E-3 High 

Voltage Electrician, Tasheena 

Rae Cloud, a young, energetic, 

spontaneous, and enthusiastic 

enrolled tribal member 

has been on active duty with 

the Navy for almost 2 years. 

Presently, Cloud is stationed 

at NAVSTA Rota, Spain with 

nine months left at that duty 

station. 

Cloud graduated from Baraboo 

High School in 2002 and 

immediately attended beauty 

school. She soon realized that 

was not the path she wanted 

and began working for the 

Nation. Once again, not exactly 

“fulfilling her cheerios” 

so she began working at a 

bank. Cloud said, “I am a 

very spontaneous person and 

change my mind rapidly. I 

observed my sister being in 

the Navy which helped me 

see all of the great benefits 

that were available.” 

After talking to a recruiter, 

Cloud joined the Navy one 

week before her 24th birthday 

and spent the next 8 weeks in 

boot camp. “I was academically, 

physically and emotionally 

challenged,” said Cloud. 

After Completion of Boot 

Camp, she went to Wichita 

Falls, Texas and was stationed 

at Sheppard Air Force Base, 

where she also learned the 

“CAN DO” motto of the 

Seabees. Cloud said, “This is 

where I completely saw God 

leading me as a Native American 

into another family where 

I am fully accepted as the determined 

hard-worker that I 

already am.” 

Cloud has always wanted to 

VETERANS PAGE 9 

Choosing the right path 

pursue higher education, work 

during the day, and attending 

college courses at night. “I 

take full advantage of the free 

tuition assistance that the 

Navy offers me.” After completing 

her short term goal, 

Cloud will leave Spain with 

an Associate’s Degree in General 

Studies. “I personally believe 

that with the compassion 

that I have for my people and 

country, I will build and fight 

for peace with freedom wherever 

the Navy sends me and 

continue to represent our 

great nation.” 

Cloud also participates in 

several volunteer work 

groups. Just to name a few: 

Local National Flood Emergency 

Volunteer for Rota, Red 

Cross Volunteer, Seabee Ball 

Secretary, 1st grade reading 

tutor, Relay For Life Captain, 

St. Patrick's Day 1/2 

Marathon volunteer, Assistant 

Recreational Committee 

Coordinator, Assistant Safety 

Shop Supervisor, Djibouti 

comrels Participant - Donating 

for orphanages, Single 

Sailor Program Manager, 

Training Coordinator for 

Command. She has also assisted 

with funeral details 

and helped with both the 

boyscouts and the girlscouts 

as far as building obstacle 

courses and walls for different 

patches they need. 

In closing, “Being able to 

experience different cultures 

and scenery is absolutely 

amazing. However, everywhere 

I go I let people know 

who I am and where I come 

from. I get to do training for 

my command and help them 

learn about me as a person 

Freedom’s Cost 

Submitted by 

John A. Scocos, Secretary 

of WI Department of 

Veterans Affairs 

Veterans Day in Wisconsin 

is a special moment of reflection 

for the more than 

427,000 veterans in this state. 

Their service spans not only 

the last century but also 

reaches into the 21st century. 

As I reflect on my second 

deployment to Iraq I am 

acutely aware of the physical, 

mental, and psychological 

costs borne by our military 

men and women currently 

serving in our country’s conflicts. 

And these costs do not 

end with their active duty assignments. 

Reintegration 

bears its own costs, as veterans 

attempt to resume their 

varied roles in civilian life 

and society: mother, father, 

son, daughter, friend, employee, 

student, etc. I can tell 

you from personal experience 

that, even under the best of 

circumstances, this transition 

is a difficult one. 

Of the veterans living in the 

state, the number includes the 

128,273 Wisconsinites who 

joined the ranks of deployed 

or returning veterans since the 

Persian Gulf War (August, 

1990). During the most recent 

US military conflicts 

(i.e., Persian Gulf War, Somalia, 

Afghanistan, and Iraq) 

current figures show that Wisconsin 

lost more than 114 of 

its daughters and sons (as of 

10/26/2009). A current estimate 

of Wisconsin’s disabled 

veteran population indicates 

that greater than 51,210 individuals 

suffer some degree of 

disability related to their military 

duty and trend analyses 

reveal an increasing rate of 

physical and mental health 

disorders for personnel deployed 

in service for the Iraq 

and Afghanistan conflicts. 

It is clear that these individuals 

have paid a great cost for 

our freedom. Know that their 

families and communities 

have paid a price as well. 

And, for their service, their 

personal loss, and their families’ 

and communities’ losses 

we are grateful and we owe 

them. But, also be aware that 

we all will continue to pay a 

price if we do not provide 

these service members with 

the tools needed to reintegrate 

themselves into our communities 

in a positive and 

healthy way. By any account, 

the level of funding and the 

amount of care available and 

accessed is sadly short of the 

need. 

At the most fundamental 

level, positive reintegration 

requires mental health assessment 

and opportunities for 

meaningful work or job training. 

Though we can always 

do better, Wisconsin continues 

to make great strides in 

providing educational opportunities 

for veterans. Unfortunately, 

the same cannot be 

said with respect to mental 

health and support for returning 

veterans and their families. 

Recent research reports 

acknowledge that soldiers returning 

with musculoskeletal 

and mental health disorders 

typically receive fewer benefits 

than those with cardiovascular 

or neurological 

conditions. Currently and 

historically, military men and 

women often do not seek out 

help, particularly for mental 

health difficulties, on their 

own. A recent study at Walter 

Reed Army Medical Center 

involving over 6,100 army 

personnel and marines indicates 

that of those troops returning 

from duty in Iraq or 

Afghanistan that are positive 

for mental health disorders, 

only between 23 – 40 percent 

actually seek help. Collectively, 

other research reports 

provide a grim picture of the 

ongoing costs of human suffering 

and opportunity lost for 

our returning veterans, their 

families, and our communities: 

• 25-40 percent of returning 

veterans experience a mental 

health disorder with 

rates highest among national 

guard and reserve 

components 

• U.S. Army suicide rates are 

at an all time high (during 

Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts) 

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

(PTSD), Traumatic 

Blast Injury (TBI), and depression 

are greater than in 

previous conflicts (during 

Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts) 

• Substance abuse and domestic 

violence are tightly 

associated with PTSD, TBI, 

and depression and are a 

primary cause of separation 

and divorce for military 

families. 

If we do not connect with 

our military personnel upon 

their arrival back to Wisconsin 

and follow up with needed 

physical, mental, and educational 

information, programs, 

and interventions we, as a so- 

I joined the United States Marine Corps 

at the age of eighteen years old. As a 

teenager, I always admired Hocak 

women who had been in the military. I enlisted 

when I finished high school. I 

joined in July, 1959, and took my basic 

training in Parris Island, S.C. I was there 

for three months. After training, I was 

stationed at El Toro Marine Air Corps 

Base near Santa Ana, CA. I received my 

Honorable Discharge in June, 1961. My 

aunt Meryl Thompson was in the United 

States Air Force. We have a long military 

history in our family being in the service 

from World War I. My Choka Jesse 

Thompson was in the United States Army 

during WWI. He is buried in France. 

My service was during Peace Time. I 

never regret the time I was in the USMC. 

I believe that the two years of active duty 

taught me discipline, responsibility and 

respect that has helped me all these past 

years as a person, parent, and grandparent. 

I believe that these are the most important 

aspects in one’s life. Today, I’m always 

glad to hear when our young Hocak 

man and woman enlist in the military. 

Semper Fi. 

ciety, are likely to pay for 

their service for a very long 

time. It is the right thing to do 

and the fiscally responsible 

thing to do. Freedom has a 

cost that we all bear. 

Recently, I had the opportunity 

to attend the Wisconsin 

Warrior Summit held at the 

War Memorial Center in Milwaukee. 

This conference was 

for mental health professionals, 

community organizations, 

veterans, and their families. 

The conference organizers 

were Dryhootch and the Mental 

Health Community of Wisconsin. 

Dryhootch, located in 

Milwaukee, is a veterans outreach 

program made up of a 

group of Vietnam veterans 

Myrna Thompson 

Tasheena Cloud 

and what my people are 

about. I work for Public 

Works and help maintain our 

immaculate reputation and always 

volunteer for every little 

thing that I can to make our 

base a better place for everyone. 

It’s always more fun 

when everyone gets involved!” 

who have dedicated themselves 

to working with returning 

veterans. 

Less than one percent of the 

population of the United 

States is currently serving in 

the armed forces. As a state, 

and as a nation, we need to 

find the resources to fund programs 

that benefit veterans. 

When we benefit our veterans 

we also benefit their families, 

our communities, and our society 

as a whole. 

On this Veterans Day, it is 

time to recognize and act on 

our commitment to our veterans. 

Their service and sacrifice, 

in a very real sense, 

make them this era’s Greatest 

Generation. 

A long family 

military history

PAGE 10 VETERANS/NEWS Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

Division of Veterans Affair & Majestic 

Pines Casino supports Unmet Needs 

Submitted by 

Robert Mann - Tribal 

Veteran Service Officer 

For the month of November 

Ho-Chunk Nation’s Division 

of Veterans Affair and Majestic 

Pines Casino teamed up 

with the Veterans of Foreign 

Wars and Burger King to support 

“Unmet Needs” a national 

program that provides 

emergency financial assistance 

to Military Families 

through grants and donations. 

Unmet Needs is a grant program 

through the VFW that 

WASHINGTON 

Oct. 19, 2009 

Representatives of the Department 

of Veterans Affairs 

(VA) will be telephoning Veterans 

across the country to explain 

their education benefits 

under the new Post-911 GI 

Bill and ensure beneficiaries 

are able to receive payments 

due them. 

provides financial assistance 

up to $2,500 to military families 

that need help paying for 

various medical expenses, 

home repairs, car repairs, groceries, 

utilities and much 

more. Absolutely 100% of the 

money raised goes directly to 

the military families. The program 

was designed to help the 

significant other that is at 

home while their soldiers is 

away overseas and serving 

their country. This helps programs 

not only help the recipients 

at home but allows the 

VA contacting Veteranstudents 

about new GI Bill 

Calls part of systematic outreach to improve service 

"The Post-9/11 GI Bill is 

one of our highest priorities," 

said Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

Eric K. Shinseki. "Instead 

of making people wait 

to hear from us, we're reaching 

out to Veterans, so they 

can get the money they need 

to stay in school." 

The Department is conducting 

this telephone outreach in 

VA extends 

Agent Orange 

benefits 

Parkinson’s Disease and two other 

illnesses recognized 

Washington, D.C. 

Relying on an independent study by 

the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs Eric K. 

Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection 

for Vietnam Veterans 

with three specific illnesses based on 

the latest evidence of an association 

with the herbicides referred to as 

Agent Orange. 

The illnesses affected by the recent 

decision are B cell leukemias, such as 

hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s Disease 

and ischemic heart disease. 

Used in Vietnam to defoliate trees 

and remove concealment for the 

enemy, Agent Orange left behind a 

legacy of suffering and disability that 

continues to the present. Between 

January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 

2.6 million military personnel 

were potentially exposed to sprayed 

Agent Orange. 

In practical terms, veterans who 

served in Vietnam during the war and 

who have a “presumed” illness, don’t 

have to prove an association between 

their illness and their military service. 

The “presumption” simplifies and 

speeds up the application process for 

benefits. 

The Secretary’s decision brings to 

15 the number of “presumed” illnesses 

recognized by the Department 

of Veterans Affairs. 

“We Must do better reviews of illnesses 

that may be connected to service 

and we will,” Shinseki said. 

“Veterans who endure health problems 

deserve timely decisions based 

on solid evidence.” 

Other illnesses previously recognized 

under the VA’s “presumption” 

rule as being caused by exposure to 

herbicides during the Vietnam War 

are : 

• Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral 

Neuropathy AL Amyloidosis. 

• Chloracne 

• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 

• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2) 

• Hodgkin’s Disease 

• Multiple Myeloma 

• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 

• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda 

• Respiratory Cancers 

• Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than 

Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcomma, 

Kaposi’s Sarcoma or Mesothelioma.) 

Additional information about Agent 

Orange and VA services and programs 

for veterans exposed to the 

chemical are available at www.publichealth.va.gov. 

Persons may also contact the Ho- 

Chunk Nation Veteran Affairs Department 

at (715) 284-4563. 

soldiers some peace of mind 

knowing that their families 

are being cared for while they 

are away. 

The Ho-Chunk Nation, already 

a very active supporter 

of veterans, is proud to have 

the opportunity to support 

such a worthy cause and has 

agreed to donate $1,000 to a 

local “Unmet Needs” fund 

drive headed up by Mike 

DeRosa, owner of sever 

Burger King restaurants in the 

area. 

This is DeRosa’s third year 

response to the large numbers 

of Veterans who have applied 

for education benefits for the 

fall 2009 semester. The calls 

are scheduled to go to Veterans 

who have applied for benefits 

under the new 

educational assistance program. 

Those who registered for 

advanced payments will be 

seeking support for such donations 

and is encouraging 

people to donate to the cause 

by offering those that drop off 

a donation at one of his 

Burger King facilities a 

coupon for a free croissant 

sandwich or whopper. The 

money collected from the various 

Burger King locations 

throughout the month will remain 

in the region helping as 

many as 2,000 local military 

families. 

Majestic Pines Casino will 

be presenting a check for 

called, too, in ensure they received 

their benefits. 

To protect the personal 

identity of Veterans, VA representatives 

making calls will 

not ask for any personal information, 

such as birthdates, 

bank account or social security 

numbers, but they may 

ask family members for information 

to contact Veterans 

Get your benefit 

clarification before 

the chill sets in 

Ken Hess 

Social Security Public Affairs 

Specialist for Wisconsin 

It’s that time of the year againwhen 

people in this part of the country 

feel a new chill in the air each 

morning and put an extra quilt or 

blanket on the bed. 

It’s also the time of the year when 

the state offers energy assistance to 

people who have low income and resources. 

Under the energy assistance 

program your state may help with 

the cost of heating you home during 

the winter. But to get assistance, in 

most cases, you’ll need to provide 

proof of your income. If you get Social 

Security or Supplemental Security 

Income (SSI) benefits, you can 

get proof of your benefit quickly and 

easily by going online at www.socialsecurity.gov. 

There are a number of reasons you 

may need written verification of your 

benefit amount beside energy assistance 

programs. Perhaps your getting 

ready to make a major purchase 

and you’re trying to get a loan from 

a bank or financial institution. 

Maybe you’re applying for other 

state benefits or moving into a new 

apartment or home. 

Whatever your reason, Social Security 

makes it easy for you to get 

the written verification you need at 

www.socialsecurity.gov. Just look in 

the left column under “What you can 

do online,” expand the “If you get 

benefits” section and select the “Request 

a Proof of Income letter” link. 

$1,000 for this program as the 

Ho-chunk Nation Veterans 

Affair will be recording public 

service announcements 

through WWIS to request 

support for the cause. WWIS 

will conduct two live remotes 

at Burger King in Black River 

Falls on November 11, 2009 

and November 25, 2009 from 

11:00 am until 2:00 pm. We 

are asking the public to consider 

supporting the local men 

and woman that are serving 

this great country. 

who are away at school. 

"Our procedures and policies 

to provide advanced payments 

remain in effect," 

Shinseki said. "Meanwhile, 

we're completing the on-time 

development of our automated 

processing system that 

will ensure timely delivery of 

checks in the future." 

The letter can be used for any reason 

that someone requires proof of 

your income. In addition to offering 

proof of your income, the letter is an 

official document that verifies your 

Medicare coverage, retirement or 

disability status and age. The letter 

does not include your Social Security 

number. 

From the time that you complete 

the online request, it will take about 

10 days for you to receive the proof 

of income letter in the mail. If you 

need one sooner, call (800)772-1213 

or visit your local Social Security office. 

For most people, simply requesting 

the proof of income online is the 

most convenient way to get what you 

need. Get your benefit verification 

now by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov. 

Ken can be reached at 4120 Oakwood 

Hills Parkway, Eau Claire, WI 

54701 or via email at 

kenneth.hess@ssa.


HEALTH PAGE 11 

Ho-Chunk Nation – 

Let’s form the biggest team! 

By Kathleen Clemons, 

Exercise Physiologist. 

The Turkey Trot (5K race) is a 

La Crosse area Thanksgiving 

tradition that provides over 

1,800 runners and walkers the 

opportunity to incorporate fitness 

and fun into the holiday. It 

is a unique road race that not 

only awards the fastest runners 

but also those who most closely 

predict their finishing time. 

Children can also participate in 

their fun Jr. Gobbler Gallop 

events following the main race. 

This race is un-timed, and all 

participants will receive a race 

number. Courses are divided 

into 3 distances: a dash, 1/2 

mile and 1 mile so all ages are 

The following is provided by 

the Director of Community 

Health Nursing for the 

Ho-Chunk Health Care 

Center. 

1. If your children or family 

members are showing 

symptoms of the flu - stay 

home. Symptoms include; 

Fever over 100 degrees 

and a cough, symptoms 

may include sore throat, 

and fatigue. A fever must 

be present to diagnose 

H1N1. If you have a fever 

for more than 48 hours 

there is no benefit from the 

anti virals, and the clinic 

cannot offer your family 

any more care than you 

can receive at home. Due 

to the increase in patient 

load, clinic wait can be 

welcome to participate. The 

Junior Gobbler races will begin 

at 10:15am. Volunteers will be 

readily available to run with the 

children if they need assistance 

or direction. Adults are also allowed 

on the course to help 

their young ones along if 

needed. 

This year the race will be held 

on Saturday, November 21st. 

The race starts at 9 am and the 

registration fees are as follows: 

For the 5K, $7 through 11/13, 

$12 through 11/20, $15.00 on 

race day. For the Jr.Gobbler 

Gallop it is $2 through 11/13, $5 

through 11/20 and on race day. 

T-Shirts are available for purchase 

for $13 each. 

more than 2 

hours. 

2. You need to 

make sure to 

keep the person 

hydrated 

and offer 

lots of fluids 

(gator aid, 

propel, pedialyte). 

G2 is 

good for those who 

do not want a lot of 

sugar. Fever can be treated 

with Tylenol or aspirin. 

All Native Am, and Tribal 

members or members of a 

Native Am family can 

come to the clinic and pick 

up Tylenol or cough syrup. 

If the clinic runs out then 

you need to pick it up on 

your own. 

3. Watch for any type of de- 

The Turkey Trot has an annual 

competition throughout the 

community to see who can organize 

the largest team for the 

5K race. There are no limitations 

to a team so let’s get the 

largest team together! When 

you register, simply state your 

team name, The Ho-Chunk Nation, 

during the registration 

process. You can register online 

at getmeregistered.com or 

on race day. Hope to see you 

out there – we will freeze together! 

Race headquarters address: 

UW-L Recreational Eagle Center 

1725 State Street 130 REC 

La Crosse, WI 54601 

H1N1 information 

hydration in the ill 

person: dry lips, 

dry mouth, decrease 

in urination. 

Also, any 

type of respiratory 

problems 

(i.e.) if they are 

having a hard 

time breathing or 

can’t catch their 

breath. If the person 

has a history of breathing 

problems like asthma, treat 

them with their normal 

meds first. If you are seeing 

any of these symptoms, 

or seeing any worsening of 

the asthma symptoms 

please see your provider. 

4. Make sure you are using 

sanitizing wipes at home. 

TV remote control, telephones, 

doorknobs, refrig- 

Adults... 

Adults... 

Move Move More 

and and Sit Less!! 

erator doors, anything that 

all family members come 

in contact with. 

5. For employees, we will be 

using the CDC recommendations 

which state if the 

employee is symptom free 

they can remain at work, 

and supervisors should be 

encouraging “Good Hand 

Washing Techniques” at 

work and home. Again 

they must be showing no 

symptoms. 

6. If they are diagnosed with 

H1N1 they must remain at 

home until they are free of 

symptoms for 24 hours 

without use of medications 

(Tylenol etc.). 

Looking for Beads? Jewelry? Shirts? 

Dresses? Fringe? � 

We have all 

that & more! 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

Exercise & Play 30– 

0–60 60 Minutes a Day!

PAGE 12 HOCAK WORAK Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

Learning how to buy a house 

Home Buyer Seminars educate potential buyers 


Staff Writer 

During a Home Buyer Seminar, 

held October 26 at Majestic 

Pines Hotel, potential 

homeowners learn some of 

what needed to qualify for a 

home loan and how to meet 

those requirements. 

Data from the a Ho-Chunk 

Nation Tribal Census, conducted 

by the Planning Department 

in 2006, indicated 

that 475 of 1123 reporting 

households (42 percent) 

owned the home they live in, 

a figure that Jackie Johnson, 

Homeownership Specialist 

with the Ho-Chunk Housing 

& Community Development 

Agency (HHCDA) would like 

to see rise. Johnson and Justine 

Rufus, Director of First 

Nations Community Federal 

in Tomah, agree that although 

there are challenges for some 

seeking to purchase their own 

home, there is help available 

to get perspective buyers 

through what Rufus said “can 

be a scary time.” 

Because so many people defaulted 

on their loans in recent 

years, in part because financial 

institution issued reckless 

loans, Rufus stated that 

lenders are now being more 

cautious and requiring a better 

credit rating score from potential 

buyers. She added that 

although it may take time, 

credit can be rebuilt. She also 

encourages everyone to check 

their credit rating and make 

sure the information provided 

to perspective lenders is accurate. 

One free Credit Report 

per year is available from all 

three major credit reporting 

bureaus; Trans Union, 

New truck to 

join HCN Food 

Distribution 

Program Fleet 

USDA approves 

application for federal 

assistance 

Submitted by 

Thomas S. Tourtillott 

Civic Reporter 

The Ho-Chunk Nation Food 

Distribution Program will 

soon have a brand new 

Freightliner truck joining the 

ranks of its fleet thanks to 

provisions in the American 

Recovery and Reinvestment 

Act of 2009 (ARRA) that 

fund costs relating to equipment 

upgrades and facility 

improvements for the USDA’s 

Food Distribution Program on 

Indian Reservations. 

The USDA’s Food and Nutrition 

Service, Midwest Region, 

recently sent President 

Wilfrid Cleveland a letter 

confirming the approval of an 

application for federal assis- 

tance requesting $92,002.50 

for the new automatic straight 

truck. This letter of approval 

is a positive stroke for the Nation. 

According to Andrew 

Rave, director of HCN Food 

Distribution Program, “Our 

truck is being manufactured 

even as we sprecken ze 

deutch. Pistons are being polished. 

Windshields are being 

assembled. Break lights are 

being tested. Odometers are 

being installed. We’re getting 

our truck straight off the assembly 

line.” 

Congratulations, standing 

ovations, and (what’s that I 

hear?)... Party poppers popping. 

Defensive Driving Course 

Offered to all Ho-Chunk Nation Employees 

November 19, 2009 (Thursday) 

2 Sessions: 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm 

BRF Executive Building Cafeteria 

Presented by the Travelerʼs Insurance Company 

RSVP to Department of Transportation @ 715-284-9343 EXT 1095 

Seating is limited 

Equifax and Experian. 

Rufus stated that “homeownership 

is something to be 

taken seriously,” and stresses 

the need to be educated about 

the process. If people took 

the time to learn more about 

their credit rating and later 

sought out lending institutions 

that offered loans better suited 

their needs, Rufus believes 

that more people would be 

homeowners. For example, 

she said that while there are 

about 180 types of home 

loans available, typically a 

lender is familiar with about 

five or six. Concerned that 

“we don’t shop around for a 

home mortgage,” she stated 

that to get the best deal, potential 

homebuyers have to be 

willing to take the time to 

look what’s being offered. 

She added that it’s important 

to organize your financial 

records, so that when you find 

a loan that meets your needs, 

you have the information the 

lender needs. 

Aware that in the current 

economic climate, some people 

are struggling to pay their 

bills, Rufus stated that it’s important 

to be realistic when 

trying to protect or improve 

your credit. She noted that 

while filing bankruptcy is 

seen by some as something to 

avoid at all costs, bankruptcy 

is better than having a judgment 

filled against you. 

“Judgments are worst than 

bankruptcies,’ she said. 

The HHCDA offers Home 

Buyer Education seminars 

throughout the year at various 

locations throughout Ho- 

Chunk Country. Advertised 

in advanced in the Hocak 

Natures 

Touch 

LLC 

Ho-Chunk owned by: Angela Ringquist 

Do you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, arthritis, diabetic skin 

disorder, pain due to inflammation of the skin? Itching, painful joints and 

sore muscles? Or what about poor circulation? 

Our skin care products are designed to focus on the healing process 

of these skin problems. 

If you have any of these symptoms and would like to check out our line 

of products, then please visit our website at: 

www.naturestouchcreations.com 

Worak, the seminars typically 

are conducted over two days 

for a total of eight hours. Attendance 

at the seminar is one 

of the requirements that determine 

eligibility for $5,000 

Down Payment Assistance 

Program available through the 

HHCDA. Topics covered include: 

• Credit counseling. 

• Mortgages or home loans 

• Budgeting and calculating 

affordability 

• Evaluating credit 

• Finding a home 

• Applying for a home loan 

• Meeting financial obligations 

• Protecting your investm 

For more information contact 

Jackie Johnson at (800) 

236-2260 Extension 238. 

Free HomeBuyer Education Class 

� 

November 16th &17th, 2009 

Topics Include: 

4pm-8pm both nights 

Ho-Chunk Casino and Bingo 

S3214 Highway 12, Baraboo 

(800) 746-2486 

1st Time Homebuyer 

Tax Credit for 2009 

Assistance Programs for 

Ho-Chunk Homebuyers 

Food and Fun! 

Mortgage Lending 

FREE light dinner will be provided. Predatory Lending 

Prize Drawing! 

Awareness 

Win a $25 gift card for the 

Home Depot & other prizes! Ho-Chunk Housing and 

Community Development 

The Role of a Realtor 

Budgeting and Credit 

Begin Your Journey to HomeOwnership, Home Inspection 

Call Jackie at 608-374-1245, ext 238 To Register & Maintenance 

This seminar is FREE and open to the public.

November 6, 2009 HALLOWEEN WINNERS PAGE 13 

A night of tricks-n-treats 

Tracy Pecore 


To many, Halloween means carving pumpkins, 

fulfilling a sweet tooth, decorating yards 

into cemeteries and haunted houses, and finding 

the scariest costume; a time for children 

and most adults to let their imagination run 

free. On October 29, over 160 registered 

ghouls and goblins plus 77 tiny tots, participated 

in the Ho-Chunk Halloween Gathering 

at the House of Wellness. Funds were allocated 

to the committee from the Ho-Chunk 

Legislature. 

Songs from WI Dells, Lake Delton, Bearheart, 

Smokey Town, Little Thunder, and Midnite 

Express filled the gymnasium throughout 

the evening. A dinner was served just after 5 

pm with grand entry getting pushed back to 

6:30 pm. Alvin Cloud served as the Elder 

M.C., alongside Gerald Cleveland who also 

served as M.C. The event was open to all 

tribes which made for a spectacular turnout. 

After several intertribal songs, candy bags 

JUNIORS 

1 - DAVID CLEVELAND ($50) 

2 - MAURA ALVAREZ ($45) 

3 - SAVANNAH BROWN ($40) 

4 - SHY LEONARD ($35) 

5 - HAGA FUNMAKER ($30) 

6 - ALIYAH CLOUD ($25) 

7 - AIDEN SAGE ($20) 

TEENS 

1 - KAYREE FUNMAKER ($100) 

2 - COURAGE CLEVELAND ($90) 

3 - JAIMEE SWEET ($80) 

4 - TERRANCE CLEVELAND ($70) 

5 - JAMES MORRIS ($60) 

6 - MALEANA CLOUD ($50) 

7 - NATASHA DECORAH ($40) 

18-30 ADULTS 

1 - TRAVIS CLOUD ($400) 

2 - MONTGOMERY GREEN JR ($300) 

3 - ERWIN MORRIS ($200) 

4 - ANHINGA WHITECLOUD ($100) 

31-45 ADULTS 

1 - WEHA DELONG ($400) 

2 - GIRL GORRILLA ($300) 

3 - COLLIN CLOUD ($200) 

4 - GABBY FUNMAKER ($100) 

46+ ADULTS 

1 - TINA HINDSLEY ($400) 

2 - CHARLES HINDSLEY ($300) 

3 - JOHN WHITE CLOUD ($200) 

4 - CLARICE JACKSON ($100) 

Who is this masked woman?! 

were distributed to approximately 77 tiny tots 

who made a good showing and great dancing, 

and to all of the junior participants. Arena Directors 

for the evening were Boye Ladd and 

Hank Funmaker, and they made sure that 

pushing, shoving, or distasteful activity would 

not be tolerated. If so, the participant would 

be disqualified. 

Although everyone could not win there were 

plenty of great costumes. The masked individuals 

taking the show and winning first place 

were Tina Hindsley (46+ category), Weha De- 

Long (31-45 category), Travis Cloud (18-30 

category), Kayree Funmaker (Teens), and 

David Cleveland (Juniors). Not only did their 

costumes impress the judges, but they also 

danced great and put on a show for the audience 

to enjoy. One judge stated he started 

blushing and had to walk the other way when 

one of the participants approached him and 

started to shake their behind. 

Estelle Greendeer’s son Jackson…and 

most original baby. 

Little “SAW” girl and her mini-me. 

“Don't put all your eggs in one basket”…this 

chicken fell over. 

Get down! Get down! 

Tina Hindsley unveiling her mask and taking home 

1st place in the 46+ category and winning $400. 

David Cleveland getting ready to go down on the 

honor beats with his stubby looking legs.

PAGE 14 NEWS Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

Ho-Chunk DNR forester recognized 

Society of American Foresters honors Mark Gawron 


Staff Writer 

Mark Gawron, a forester 

with the Ho-Chunk Nation’s 

Department of Natural Resources, 

was recently named a 

recipient of one of eight Presidential 

Field Forester 

Awards presented by the Society 

of American Foresters 

(SAF). Established in 1900, 

SAF is a national scientific 

and educational organization 

representing the forestry profession 

in the United States. 

The largest professional society 

of foresters in the world, it 

provides access to information 

that prepares and enables 

its members to meet the challenges 

and changes that face 

natural resource professionals 

as they strive to protect forest 

resources now and in the future. 

Nominated by his peers, 

Mark received his award during 

SAF National Convention, 

held September 

30-October 4 in Orlando, FL. 

A 1984 Forest Management 

graduate of the University of 

Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 

Mark worked in the private 

sector and academia before 

joining the Nation as a 

Forestry Technician three 

years ago. Working with the 

BIA, he and other members of 

the department are responsible 

for the management of 

3600 acres of tribal trust land 

property. Typical duties include 

deciding what trees to 

harvest and sell and the planting 

of new trees and plants. 

Guided by the Nation’s tradition, 

history and cultural beliefs, 

special attention is paid 

to preserving and protecting 

trees near effigy mounds and 

other sacred sites. For example, 

working with Ho-Chunk 

Nation archeologist, Jay Toth, 

Mark stated that the DNR has 

removed a number of trees at 

the Kingsley Bend Mound 

site near Wisconsin Dells. To 

replace some of the trees removed, 

the DNR planted 

basswood trees and next 

spring hopes to plant tamarack 

trees at the site. Those 

trees were selected, Mark 

said, knowing that their wood 

is used to make Indian baskets. 

“We’re trying to use 

Go 

GREEN! 

SEEKING NATIVE AMERICANS 

to participate in the first 

“Native American Energy Auditor Level II 

Training Course” 

January 4 – May 21, 2009 

United Tribes Technical College 

Bismarck, North Dakota 

One of the most important “Green Collar Jobs” is that of an 

Energy Auditor. An Energy Auditor is a professional, trained in 

many areas of construction and mechanicals. Expert instructors 

affiliated with the United Association of Journeymen and 

Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA) will 

provide instruction for the class. 

NO TUITION FEES!!! 

WE WILL PAY: 

• Lodging 

• Transportation to and from hotel 

• Bi-weekly stipends will be provided to participants 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 4, 2009 

Further information can be found on the United Tribes website at 

www.uttc.edu or to obtain an application, please contact Debbie 

Painte or Barbara Schmitt at 701-255-3285 ext. 1232 or 1436 or 

through email at dpainte@uttc.edu or bschmitt@uttc.edu. 

The program is supported through a partnership with The Office of Indian Energy & 

Economic Development (IEED), United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices 

of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA), and 

United Tribes Technical College (UTTC). 

modern forestry practices and 

at the same time preserve the 

Nation’s traditions,” he said. 

Mark continued that within 

the next few weeks, adult 

tribal members should be receiving 

a questionnaire from 

the DNR, asking for their 

input on how they would like 

to see the Nation’s trust lands 

managed. Along with reviewing 

the responses, Mark plans 

on visiting with members 

throughout Ho-Chunk communities. 

Because “we want 

to know what you want,” he 

added that he would like to 

establish a citizen’s advisory 

board that would meet at 

semi-annually to discuss the 

Nation’s forest management 

program. 

Because throughout Ho- 

Chunk Country, trees are becoming 

a hazard to homes and 

businesses, Mark stated that 

the DNR is currently identifying 

what trees pose the greatest 

danger to homes and 

preparing the most cost effective 

way to remove them. 

Though grant money would 

provide some financial relief 

Award winning forester, Mark Gawron. 

and some of the work could 

be done by DNR staff members, 

some work would have 

to be contracted to outside 

tree cutting firms. “We hope 

to deal with private homes 

first,” he said. “Our goal is 

to have a complete inventory 

of all hazardous trees by next 

October.” 

The DNR will soon be 

preparing a site to house a 

planned day care center in 

Black River Falls. To be built 

near the clinic, Mark said that 

work will be done to make the 

site aesthetically pleasing. 

HHCDA receives 

Neighborhood 

Stabilization 

Program funding 

The Ho-Chunk Nation Housing & Community Development Agency (HHCDA) 

has received funds through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to purchase 

foreclosed properties, rehab the properties and later re-sell the properties at 

an affordable price. 

HHCDA is partnering with First Nations Community Financial to provide financing 

for qualified applicants. If you are interested in this once in a lifetime opportunity 

come and talk to our Loan Officer and find out if you qualify. 

Financing Highlights include: 

• No down payment required. 

• No cash reserves or savings required. 

• Fixed interest rate, 30-year term 

• No limitation of sources for closing costs 

Eligible Criteria: 

• Credit score of 640 or 

higher 

• Must meet income guidelines 

• Applicant’s need a steady 

and dependable income. 

• Applicant’s debt do not exceed 

ratios (hosing ratio 

29%, total debt ratio 41%) 

• Must not own current adequate 

housing 

• Credit history demonstrates 

an ability to make payments on time and meet credit obligations. 

• Must be a U.S. citizen. 

Property Criteria: 

• Property must be located in Wisconsin in the counties of Monroe, Juneau and 

Adams. 

• Property must be Foreclosed Property. 

• Property cannot be a manufactured home. 

• Property must meet health and safety standards as defined by HUD 

NSP Requirements: 

• Property should not be sold before the affordability time-frame expires. If the 

property is sold before this time, it will result in recapture. 

For more information contact Justine Rufus, First Nations Community Financial 

Director at (608)374-2104.


November Area 

Meeting Dates 

November 9 Chicago, Baraboo, Wittenberg 

& La Crosse 

November 10 Tomah & Green Bay 

November 11 Veteranʼs Day 

November 12 Milwaukee, Indian Heights 

& St. Paul 

November 18 Madison, BRF & WI Rapids 

NOTICES PAGE 15 

Monthly Board Meeting For 

Ho-Chunk Housing 

and Community 

Development Agency (HUD) 

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 

6:00 PM 

HC Housing & Community 

Development Agency 

1116 Monowau Street, Tomah WI 

Agenda items by noon, 


Contact Board Secretary at Ext. 222 

HHCDA (608) 374-1245 Ext. 222 

Fax: (608) 374-1251 

IMPORTANT: 

THE SNOW WILL 

BE FLYING SOON 

• ELDERS; THE DEPARTMENT WILL 

NOT BE ABLE TO PLOW THE SNOW 

OFF YOUR DRIVEWAY IF SNOW 

REMOVAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY 

FORM IS NOT COMPLETED AND 

RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT 

OF HOUSING. 

• NON – ELDERS WILL ONLY BE 

PLOWED OUT THIS YEAR IF WE 

HAVE RECEIVED A DOCTORʼS 

EXCUSE 

• THESE FORMS CAN 

ALSO BE ACCESSED 

THROUGH OUR WEB 

SITE. 

Bison Round-UP for 2009 

has been cancelled due to many unexpected 

costly repairs this year, along with a very low 

calf crop. The staff has 

cancelled this yearʼs 

round-up. A round-up plan 

is scheduled for 2010, 

around the first week in 

December as usual. 

NOTICE 

HC Department of Heritage Preservation 

Board of Directors Meeting 

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 • 10:00 a.m. 

Housing and Public Works 

500 Veterans Street, Tomah, WI 54660 

Off: 608-374-1225 • Fax: 608-374-1233

PAGE 16 GOOD NEWS Ca Hikiruxe wira 6, 2009 

Young Ho-Chunk speaks at 

National Conference 

Tracy Pecore 


On October 23, Dashell 

Thunder, a youth who is fluent 

in the Ho-Chunk language had 

the honor to give the invocation 

for the Youth Day Luncheon 

held at the 2009 National 

Indian Education Association 

Conference in Milwaukee. 

Approximately 20-25 Ho- 

Chunk youth participated in 

the Junior High/High School 

student track workshops, along 

with many other youth from 

the United States. The Ho- 

Chunk Nation was a $10,000 

sponsor of Youth Day and was 

proud and committed to support 

education for not only our 

Ho-chunk students but for all 

200 students from all over Indian 

country who attended the 

conference in Milwaukee. 

The money came from the 

Community Relations Committee. 

Currently, Dashell is a senior 

at the Osseo-Fairchild High 

School. His parents are the 

Myrtle Long speaks to 

young females about 

roles and responsibilities 

as a young woman. 

late Darlene Thunder and 

Randy Sherman. Thunder was 

brought up by his grandparents 

and has had the opportunity to 

learn the language through 

them. To him, the language is 

an everyday object and he 

CPR training proves 

beneficial 


Staff Writer 

Quick thinking and a willingness 

to apply the knowledge 

that he learned enabled 

House of Wellness employee, 

Jorrell La Barge to possibly 

save the life of co-worker 

Robert Wynos during a luncheon 

the two were attending on 

October 16. 

Glancing over, Jorrell noticed 

that Robert was in some 

distress, apparently choking on 

something he swallowed. 

Rushing over, he grabbed 

Robert and immediately applied 

the Heimlich maneuver, 

successfully displacing a piece 

of chicken lodged in Robert’s 

throat. Soon afterward, Robert 

says, “Learn your language 

and go to school. Do something 

with yourself.” 

As a young speaker, Thunder 

has also had the opportunity 

to M.C. the Unity 

Conference Banquet in 2006, 

Unity Conference Social 

Dance in 2008, Indian Awareness 

week powwow in Black 

River Falls, and the Social 

Services Family Wellness Retreat 

for the last two years. 

Thunder plans to go to the 

University of North Dakota 

and study Pre-med. An offensive 

and defensive tackle on 

the school’s football team, for 

now he is concentrating on 

helping the “Chieftons” advance 

in the Wisconsin State 

Football playoffs. 

GOOD LUCK DASHELL!! 

On a side note, motivational 

speaker Wambli Williams delivered 

a powerful message 

that all students need to hear. 

He asked everyone “What 

does it mean to be native?” 

Some of the answers thrown 

out by the youth were Indigenous, 

to be alive, and a vision 

of future generations. 

Williams agreed but also discussed 

social issues, death, 

suicide, survival, responsibility, 

respect, and leadership. 

On an end note, he said, 

“We’re all leaders right now! 

Not Tomorrow!” 

Myrtle Long, Ho-Chunk 

elder who serves on the HCN 

Clan Mother program, was 

also present for the youth day 

workshops and discussed the 

roles and responsibilities for 

women in a separate workshop 

for females. Myrtle said, “The 

bottom line is love and respect! 

If you respect yourself, 

others will respect you too.” 

As a Clan Mother, Myrtle 

works with many troubled 

teens and notices that they 

have missed out on the teachings 

that she received as a 

youth, so she tries to instill 

those teachings with them 

when she can. 

was able to breathe and color 

returned to his face. 

For his effort, Jorrell was 

presented a Plaque of Appreciation 

by House of Wellness 

Maintenance Supervisor Paul 

Cloud during a brief ceremony 

held October 23. 

An employee of the Ho- 

Chunk Nation for about three 

months, Jorrell, a member of 

the Lac du Flambeau Band of 

Lake Superior Chippewa, had 

just recently completed CPR 

training offered by the Nation. 

Contacted after receiving his 

award, he stated that he was 

grateful to the Nation for providing 

the training that allowed 

him to help someone in 

need. 

(L-R) Woodrow White, Levi Thunder Sr., Dashell Thunder, Myrtle Long, 

and Nadine Long. 

Ho-Chunk youth who participated at the 2009 NIEA youth day, along with motivational 

speak Wambli Williams. 

Jorrell La Barge (left) receiving his Plaque of Appreciation from Paul Cloud.

Wisconsin Legislature passes ICWA Codification ... - Ho-Chunk Nation

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