Published Bi-Weekly for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska • Volume 46, Number 25 • Saturday, January 26, 2019 Winnebago Tribe continues to see more return to homelands Bago Bits… It's been over a month now since the Government shut-down and left many employees without pay, including our Bureau of Indian Affairs workers. The WTWC gymnasium has been getting Wednesday, January 16, 2019 people have struggled to raise funds Winnebagos who have begun return- a little addition in the last couple weeks with an extra storage area. A & D Con- 'We can’t keep up with the growth' for economic development because ing home after earning their college tracting has been working hard for the Tribal corporation helps create they are unable to leverage their lands educations, Bledsoe Downes said. The Winnebago Tribe. opportunities for Winnebago people like off-reservation communities are return of tribal members has created By Kevin Abourezk able to do. a housing crisis in the community, LINCOLN, Nebraska -- When Ann As a result, the Winnebago people she said. Marie Bledsoe Downes earned her have had to become creative. A legal “We can’t keep up with the growth,” bachelor’s degree in education in settlement in 1994 allowed the tribe she said. “It’s a great problem to have.” 1991, she became one of just eight to invest funds into an economic de- Ho-Chunk Inc. has spent signifi - college graduates among the Win- velopment corporation, Ho-Chunk Inc., cant funds and resources developing nebago people. which it has used to create new busi- 40 acres of land on the northern bor- Since then, more than 90 Win- nesses, purchase existing businesses der of Winnebago, land that has pro- nebago tribal members have earned and win government contracts. vided space for businesses, including college degrees, and Bledsoe Downes Started with just one employee, a coffee shop, restaurant and retail now also has a law degree. longtime CEO Lance Morgan, Ho- store, as well as new homes and apart- And like more and more Winnebago Chunk Inc. today boasts more than ments for tribal members. college graduates are doing each year, 1,000 employees across the globe and But with few empty lots left on Aspen LaPointe, one of Winnebago's very Bledsoe Downes recently returned business interests in at least 20 states. that land, the tribe has begun looking own came to play the Little Priest War- home to put her education to work for Its subsidiaries include a homebuild- toward undeveloped areas where it riors last week. He is currently attending her people, taking the position of vice ing enterprise, construction company, can expand in the future. An 80-acre Iowa Central Community College. president for community impact and used car dealership, and a real estate area in the northeast corner of Win- engagement for her tribe’s economic and investment company. nebago should provide enough space development corporation. But unlike other corporations, Ho- for nearly 200 additional homes and On Tuesday, she talked about the Chunk Inc. doesn’t use its profi ts to businesses, Bledsoe Downes said. role Ho-Chunk Inc. has played in im- make itself or investors wealthy, Bled- The challenge will be reacquiring proving conditions on the Winnebago soe Downes said. parcels from tribal members who own Reservation in northeast Nebraska. “Most corporations are set up to portions of the fractionated area, she “The community I was born into drive profit,” she said. “That’s not said. was one where unemployment was Ho-Chunk Inc. Our goal is to create Speaking to state senators on very high,” she said, speaking to Ne- self-suffi ciency by getting jobs and op- Tuesday, Bledsoe Downes said the braska state senators gathered for portunity to our local tribal members.” Winnebago Tribe is on a path toward a luncheon near the State Capitol. Ho-Chunk Inc. uses much of its economic self-sufficiency, and she “Poverty rates were very high. You profi ts to help fund economic develop- urged the policymakers to avoid well- couldn’t get anyone to come in and ment and build community institu- intentioned legislation that might With Spring right around the corner, we tions in Winnebago, including housing, further impede the tribe’s progress. are looking forward to the new outdoor lend in these communities.” venue next to the Dollar General. Local “It was a very, very diffi cult time.” home-buying programs, agricultural “Trying to help oftentimes makes community sellers will soon have the op- Decades of failed federal policies, initiatives and renewable energy proj- thing muddier,” she said. tion to sell their products at this desig- including removal from their home- ects. However, she said, the tribe and nated location. Thank you HCI! lands and the forced allotment of More than two years ago, the tribe state of Nebraska might fi nd ways to their reservation, left the Winnebago made a commitment to build 100 support each other through partner- people with few resources for rebuild- homes in fi ve years. Less than three ships, Bledsoe Downes said. ing their community, Bledsoe Downes years later, the tribe already has con- “We may have common areas of said. Because most of the tribe’s lands structed 62 homes. interest where we can be advocates are in federal trust, the Winnebago Those homes provide much-needed together and that’s a much healthier housing for a growing wave of young approach for all of us,” she said. Indianz.com… Federal workers union sues over shutdown; 'pay stubs refl ect zero income' a choice between putting food on the At the Defense Department Thurs- table, paying for gas, to get to work or day the president blamed Democrats. The Winnebago Boys basketball team making a monthly payment. I can tell “The federal government remains has been showing true strength all you, real people are feeling real pain shut down because Congressional season. Here is the team after a win at Creighton University. Go Big Blue! right now.” Democrats refuse to approve border Hundreds of federal employees face security,” he said. “ We’re going to have the same situation. By law they cannot border security. It’s going to be tight. strike. It’s going to be strong. We’re going to “They hold jobs in federal agencies let people into our country gladly, but whose mission is to provide essential they’re going to come in legally. That services to Native people based on the includes for the farmers who need help U.S. government’s treaty obligations and for others. But we are going to have and trust responsibilities to Native powerful, strong border security.” Legal action comes as the shut- American communities. The jobs are The president also took a swipe at down continues in its fourth week the often the only decent paying jobs House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by denying with little prospect for resolution. around. The prolonged shutdown is an her a military trip to Afghanistan. On By Mark Trahant immediate threat to the basic needs of Wednesday the speaker suggested the Indian Country Today our members, many of whom cannot president write his State of the Union • COMPLAINT: Rowe v. United States pay rent, medical bills, or utilities” the rather than doing it person. Both said of America news release said. the reason was security-related during Winter will be gone before you know A group of federal employees who The Federation of Indian Service the shutdown. But it’s clear that both it. Here is a nice capture of the Omaha work in Indian Country have sued the Creek surrounded by a blanket of snow. Employees “intends to do everything sides are trying to use any tactic avail- federal government over its failure to it can to support members during this able to get other side to give in. pay them for their work. This action time by providing no-interest loans to Trump said: “While many Democrats comes as the shutdown continues in dues payer through a program with in the House and Senate would like to its fourth week with little prospect for the American Federation of Teachers make a deal, Speaker Pelosi will not resolution. union.” let them negotiate. The Party has been The Federation of Indian Service Meanwhile in Washington there has hijacked by the open borders fringe Employees, a union representing feder- been no movement bridging the gap within the Party. The radical left be- al workers across Indian country, fi led between the Congress and the presi- coming the radical Democrats.” the action in the U.S. Federal Court of dent. The president has demanded that The same “radical” Democrats that Claims in Washington, D.C., according Congress appropriate $5.7 billion for just won a national election by more to a news release from the union. a border wall or he will not support than 8.6 million votes over the Repub- “We have received pay stubs that funding for the remaining twenty-fi ve licans in the House. refl ect zero income,” said Tony Rowe, percent of federal agencies. The House Indian Country Today is compiling a corrections offi cer with the Bureau has passed several spending bills but #ShutdownStories from tribal commu- of Indian Affairs. “I’m starting to get the Senate will not consider them until nities and others affected by the longest collection notices. I’ve had to make The breakfast at Native Star is looking the president agrees. shutdown in U.S. history. pretty tasty. No one should be skipping breakfast with these options in town. Visit us at www.winnebagotribe.com Page 2— Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, January 26, 2019 BAGO NEWS Sugar Awareness Week January 20th-26th Winnebago Indian News, Saturday, January 26, 2019 — Page 3 WINNEBAGO NEWS squatted on by those who mocked him! JESUS OUR SAVIOR The young men and women who treated him with disdain need to be talked to LUTHERAN OUTREACH Pastor Ricky Jacob about respect! I am embarrassed for their "Looking for Jesus in all the wrong lottery or had the Publisher's Clearing parents and the schools that failed them!” places" House award of $5,000 a week for the “All Native people see each other as rel- rest of my life.