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Ho-Chunk

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Ho-Chunk
File:Bandera Ho CHunk.png
Flag of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin
Regions with significant populations
United States (Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin)
Languages
English, Hochungra
Religion
Christianity, other
Related ethnic groups
Ioway, Omaha, and other Siouan peoples

Ho-Chunk or Winnebago (as they are commonly called) are a tribe of Native Americans, native to what are now Wisconsin and Illinois. The term "Winnebago" originally came from a name given to them by neighbouring algonquian tribes, which meant something like "people of the stagnant water" (c.f. Ojibwe: Wiinibiigoo), though the exact translation is disputed. The French called them the Puans, translated into English as "Stinkards", based on the information given by rival groups of natives. The more correct, but less common English name for the tribe is "Ho-Chunk". Originally they called themselves Hotcâŋgara, meaning "big fish people" (Radin 1990 p.5). The big fish in this case is probably Sturgeon, once abundant in Lake Winnebago. .

Historical location

The Winnebago/Ho-Chunk occupied the area around Green Bay in Wisconsin, reaching beyond Lake Winnebago to the Wisconsin River and to the Rock River in Illinois. The influx of Native Americans fleeing eastern intertribal wars reduced their lands and brought European diseases which severely reduced the tribal population. The tribe traditionally practiced corn agriculture in addition to hunting. They were not advanced in agriculture but living on Green Bay they would fish, collect wild rice, gather sugar from maple trees, and would hunt wild animals or hunt game.

Through a series of moves imposed by the U.S. government in the 19th century, the tribe was moved to reservations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and finally in Nebraska. Through these moves, many tribe members returned to previous homes, especially to Wisconsin despite repeated roundups and removals. The U.S. government finally allowed the Wisconsin Winnebago to homestead land there. The Nebraska tribe members are today the separate Winnebago tribe.

U.S. recognition

As of 2003 there are two Ho-Chunk/Winnebago tribes officially recognised by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs:

Ho-Chunk Sovereign Nation

The tribe located primarily in Wisconsin changed its official name in 1994 to the Ho-Chunk Sovereign Nation (meaning People of the Big Voice). There are 6,159 tribe members as of 2001. The tribe does not have a formal reservation; however, the tribe owns 4,602 acres (18.625 km²) scattered across parts of 12 counties in Wisconsin and one county in Minnesota. The largest concentrations are in Jackson County, Clark County, and Monroe County in Wisconsin. Smaller areas lie in Adams, Crawford, Dane, Juneau, La Crosse, Marathon, Sauk, Shawano, and Wood Counties in Wisconsin, as well as Houston County in Minnesota. The administrative center is in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, in Jackson County. The tribe also operates several casinos in Wisconsin: the Ho-Chunk Casino in Baraboo, Majestic Pines Casino in Black River Falls and the Rainbow Casino in Nekoosa. Additionally, the tribe owns and operates DeJope Bingo in Madison. The tribe also has been purchasing land in the Chicago suburb of Lynwood, Illinois to construct its largest casino and resort yet. The current status of this project is pending the department of the Interior to place the land into a federal trust.

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

The tribe has a reservation in northeastern Nebraska and western Iowa. The Winnebago Indian Reservation lies primarily in the northern part of Thurston County, but small parts extend into southeastern Dixon County and Woodbury County, Iowa. There is even a small plot of off-reservation land of 116.75 acres in southern Craig Township in Burt County, Nebraska. The total land area is 457.857 km² (176.78 sq mi). The 2000 census reported a population of 2,588 persons living on these lands. The largest community is the village of Winnebago.

The Omaha also has a reservation in Thurston County. Together, both tribes cover the whole land area of Thurston County. The Winnebago tribe operates the WinnaVegas Casino in the Iowa portion of the reservation. The Casino lies on what is now the State of Iowa. This land was west of the Missouri, but due to the meandering and changing course of the Missouri River, had switched sides. So, although the state of Iowa is east of the Missouri river, the tribe successfully argued that this land belonged to them under the terms of a predated deed. This land has a postal address of Sloan, Iowa, as rural addresses are normally covered by the nearest post office.

Communities

Ho-Chunk language

Main article: Winnebago language

The Ho-Chunk language is part of the Siouan language family, and is closely related to the languages of the Iowa, Missouri, and Oto. The tribe at one point asked to be moved near to the Oto tribe but were not accommodated. The Ho-Chunk were the first people to welcome French explorer Jean Nicolet when he arrived at what is now Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1634.

Famous Ho-Chunk People

See also

References

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