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WINNEBAGO TRIBAL GOVERNMENT:

The United States Government as defined by the United States Constitution has governmental relationships with International, Tribal, and State entities. The Tribal nations have a government-to-government relationship with the United States. The Winnebago Tribe signed treaties with the United States which are the legal documents that established the reservations boundaries and recognized the rights of a sovereign government.

The Winnebago Tribe lived near the Missouri River in present day Nebraska in the days prior to diplomatic relations with the United States government. The Winnebago Tribe was originally designated reservation lands along the Missouri River recognized in treaties with the United States signed on March 8, 1865 and June 22, 1874. This includes all rights-of-way, waterways, watercourses and streams running through any part of the reservation and to such others lands as may hereafter be added to the reservation under the law of the United States.

The Winnebago Tribe operates under a constitution consistent with the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934. The Tribal Council governs the Winnebago Tribe. The Tribal Council consists of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and nine additional Councilmen all of whom are elected by the tribal membership.

The Tribal Council Chairman serves as the administrative head of the Tribe. The Tribal Chairman and Officers are elected from within the Council and serve a one year term as officers. The elected leadership on the Council serve a term of three years at-large without regard to residence in a particular district of the reservation.

LAND:

The Winnebago Tribal homelands are located in the northeast corner of Nebraska, overlapping into a small portion of western Iowa. The area is comprised of the Winnebago Tribal Reservation in Thurston County, Nebraska and portions of surrounding counties. Winnebago, Nebraska is the location of the headquarters for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

The Winnebago Reservation is located in the northeastern corner of Nebraska, 26 miles southeast of Sioux City, Iowa and seventy miles north of Omaha, Nebraska on state highways 75 and 77. The Missouri River is the eastern boundary of the reservation. The Omaha Reservation borders the southern side of the reservation. Over ninety per cent of the lands within the reservation boundaries are owned by the Tribe and Tribal members.

The Winnebago Tribe maintains the right and responsibility to provide environmental authority in compliance with Tribal and Federal law for protection of the land and resources within the exterior boundaries of the reservation through code development and regulatory procedures. The maintenance and protection of the land is very important to the Winnebago people and the future generations.

The terrain consists of low rolling hills marked by creeks and undergrowth, leveling off into agricultural land. There are some wooded areas consisting of cottonwood, various brushes, and shrubs along the Missouri River which borders the eastern side of the reservation.

CULTURE:

Social activities such as powwow, rodeos, and races are celebrated in the summer months. Special powwows held for an individual accomplishment, reaching a certain stage in their lives such as graduation or acceptance into the armed forces with traditional honoring ceremonies, give-aways, and feasts to celebrate their accomplishments. The oral tradition is still passed down from the elders to the youth.

The future of the Winnebago Tribe is directly related to the protection of our homelands and how well we enable our children to continue our cultural traditions and manage our resources in rebuilding our economy. We believe the children of the Winnebago have the desire and the ability to survive, grow, and rebuild our Nation in the 21st century.

CLIMATE:

The seasonal weather variations are rather unpredictable and are some what extreme in varying climatic conditions with an average temperature of 49 degrees. Summer thunderstorms are often severe, spawning tornados and hail. Winter storm fronts often create blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall with blowing and drifting snow. The winters are cold with temperatures ranging from 10 to -25 F. The summers are hot and humid, while the evenings are cool. The average annual precipitation rate is 26 inches of rain per year with 75 percent falling between the months of April and September. The spring and fall times are very pleasant.

TRANSPORTATION:

The highway system serving the area consists of three highways providing north and south access to the reservation. Highway 77 near the center of the reservation with Highway 75 and Interstate 29 along the eastern boundary of the reservation. County roads and a system of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) roads serve the rural areas. These highways are in good condition, but often become treacherous during the winter months. During the winter months Interstate 29 is a high priority for snow removal and sanding. This Interstate highway is usually well maintained and passable throughout the year. The smaller State highways are less of a maintenance priority during the winter season; however, most are passable. The rural road system is low priority for winter maintenance and sometimes travel is limited due to snow accumulations or blizzard conditions. The area is susceptible to heavy fog causing dangerous driving visibility.

No major passenger service is available on the reservation. People must travel to Sioux City, 30 miles to the north, or Omaha, 70 miles to the south, where major airlines and bus services are available.

TRIBAL ECONOMY:

The Winnebago Tribe’s major economic occupations are Tribal and Federal government administration, farming including both Tribal and Non-Tribal operators, or staff positions relative to the Tribal Casino operation. The majority of employment is provided by the Winnebago Tribe, the Casino, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Indian Health Service.

Commercial business by private operators includes a gas station, two grocery stores, baitshop, arts and handcrafts. The major commercial center for service area residents is Sioux City, IA, 26 miles north.

RECREATION:

The Winnebago Tribe has some of finest hunting and fishing around with local guides and baitshops available. Water sports are enjoyed by many also. The Tribe operates the Casino and Resort.. Tribal organizations sponsor high stakes bingo games several nights of the week.

The Winnebago Tribe sponsors an annual pow wow every summer. This event also includes arts and handcrafts sales and a softball tournament. The reservation has several beach areas and boat ramps for fishing and water sports. During the year other sports activities such as softball, volleyball, and basketball tournaments are also held during the year.

PUBLIC UTILITIES:

Electric Cooperative, Inc. supplies electricity and Internet access service to the reservation. The Telephone Company provides telephone service to the reservation.

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

The Winnebago Tribal population is served by an Indian Health Service (IHS) Hospital located in the community of Winnebago, NE. The Winnebago Tribe provides an Elderly Nutrition Program and Youth Recreational Activities.. Additional health care is provided by the Tribal Health Department through the Community Health Representative and Substance Abuse Prevention Program. The Health Department also provides examinations and eyeglasses to all residents at reduced rates.

IHS provides ambulance and transport service for Nursing Home residents and outpatient referrals at health care facilities. Transportation for the elderly on the reservation is provided by the Inter-Tribal Elderly Program. Transportation service is available for families for the purpose of shopping for necessities provided by Macy Industries, Inc. of Macy, NE.

There are postal services available, 3 churches, and a community center which is used to hold social events such as funerals, dances, and Indian ceremonials. The Winnebago Tribe provides police coverage and a jail in the community, and the fire department is on a volunteer basis. A group home provides a safe environment for troubled and endangered youth.

HOUSING:

The Winnebago Housing Authority manages a number of housing units in the community of Winnebago and on rural scattered sites through HUD Low Rent and Mutual Help home ownership housing programs. Other housing is available through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service in Winnebago for their employees. Private housing stock is limited.

FUTURE:

The Winnebago Tribe desires to continue progress in providing for our people and the development of increased self-sufficiency. The Tribe continues to explore means to expand business opportunities for the Tribe and Tribal members. The Bureau of Indian Affairs provides an educational scholarships for the Tribal membership. Planning and development are underway in Cultural Resources to preserve the cultural resources and educate the Tribal members and non-members on the history of the Winnebago people. The plans include the development of tourism to strengthen the economy on the reservation. The Winnebago Tribe will continue to search for ways to maintain our culture and develop new economic opportunities for our future generations.

In 1996, the Tribal staff identified insufficient monetary and personnel resources to perform baseline data gathering functions to enable them to quantify their environmental resources and identify their major environmental problems as the major reservation environmental problem which may be hazardous to the health of reservation residents.