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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 rival tribes, which meant something like "people of the stinking water", 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". They call themselves Hotcâgara.
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:
- The Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin (formerly the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe)
- The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (Thurston County, Nebraska, and Woodbury County, Iowa)
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 about 2000 acres (8 km²) across Wisconsin and Minnesota. The administratve center is in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. 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.Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
The tribe has a reservation in Thurston County, Nebraska. The Omaha tribe also has a reservation in Thurston County. Together, both tribes cover the whole land area of Thurston County. The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska also owns reservation land in Woodbury County, Iowa; the tribe operates a casino in Sloan, Iowa.Ho-Chunk 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.
Notable Ho-Chunk People
See also
External links
Native American tribes | Languages of the United States | Siouan languages | Native American tribes in Minnesota | Native American tribes in Wisconsin | Jackson County, Wisconsin | Woodbury County, Iowa | Thurston County, Nebraska | Indigenous languages of the North American eastern woodlands
"Ho-Chunk"