From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ho-Chunk
Ho-Chunk
Ho-Chunk
Etymology
The term "Winnebago" originally came from an exonym,
that is, a name given to the people by the neighboring
Algonquian-speaking tribes[citation needed], such as the Fox,
Sauk, and Ojibway (Ojibwe/Chippewa). Various spellings
exist, reflecting the French and English colonists’ at-
tempts to record transliterations of the Algonquian
words. These include: "Winnebago, Wiinibiigoo,
Wuinebagoes, Ouinepegi, Ouinipegouek, and Winipeg".
This name has been variously translated as, "people of
the stinking water," "people of the filthy water,"[1] "peo-
ple of the stagnant water’" and "people of the smelly wa-
ters."
The Algonquian words do not have the negative over-
tones attached to the French word puant and the English
word "stinky." The French translated and shortened the
name to simply les puants (or les puans), which was trans-
lated into English as "the Stinkards." Many researchers
believe that the waters referred to were either stagnant
waters of Green Bay or the aromatic, algae-filled waters
of the rivers or lakes where the Winnebago were living in
the mid-17th century. The earliest reports indicate that
Young Hochunk girl from Wisconsin, 2007 both the French explorers and the First Nations people
understood the name to refer to their place of origin,
not where they were living at the time of European en-
Total population counter. They had migrated from earlier territories.
While the names Lac des Puans (for Lake Michigan on a
7000 (1990)[1]
map from 1650[citation needed]) and Le Baye des Puans (on lat-
Regions with significant populations er maps) led some historians to conclude these referred
United States (Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin) to the condition of the waters, early records of both bod-
ies reported them as clear and fresh. The waters were
Languages named after the American Indian people then living on
English, Hocąk their shores.
Historians[2] say the Algonquian terms referred to
Religion
salt-water seas, which do have a distinctive aroma com-
Medicine Lodge, Native American Church & Christianity pared with fresh-water lakes. An early Jesuit record says
that the name refers to Le Puans origin near the salt water
Related ethnic groups
seas to the north[3]. Algonquians also called them "the
Ioway, Omaha, and other Siouan peoples people of the sea." (A Native people who lived on the
shores of Hudson Bay were called by the same name.)
Ho-Chunk, Winnebago,
The Ho-Chunk also known as Winnebago are a tribe of When Jean Nicolet and Samuel de Champlain learned of
Native Americans, native to what is now Wisconsin and the "sea" connection to the tribe’s name, they were opti-
Illinois. There are two federally recognized Ho-Chunk mistic that it meant Le puans were from or had lived near
tribes, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and Winneba- the Pacific Ocean, and that there was a nearby possible
Nebraska.
go Tribe of Nebraska connection to China.
In recent studies, ethnologists say that the Winneba-
go, like the other Siouan-speaking peoples, originated or
coalesced on the east coast of North America.[4] The early
20th-century researcher H.R. Holand said they originat-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ho-Chunk
ed in Mexico, where they had contact with the Spanish no other homeland other than what is now large portions
and gained a knowledge of horses. He cites the records of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. These traditions sug-
of Jonathan Carver, who lived with the Winnebago in gest that they were a very populous people and the dom-
1766-1768.[5] But, contact with the Spanish could have inant group in Wisconsin in the century before Nicolet’s
occurred along the Gulf of Mexico or the south Atlantic visit. While their language was Siouan, their culture was
coast. Others suggested that the Winnebago originated in similar to the Algonquian peoples. Current elders suggest
salt water areas, to explain how mid-western tribes had a that their pre-history is connected to the mound builders
knowledge of the Pacific Ocean, where the earth ends and of the region.[6] The oral history also indicates that in
the sun "sets into the sea." The Ho-Chunk say that their the mid-16th century, the influx of Ojibwa peoples in the
people have always lived in what is now the north cen- northern portion of their range caused some movement
tral United States[6]. Linguistic and ethnographic studies to the south. They had some friction with the Illiniwek, as
have generated other deep histories of the various Amer- well as a division of the people: the Chiwere group (Iowa,
ican Indian peoples. Missouri, Ponca, and Oto tribes) moved west because the
Ho-Chunk is the tribe’s name for itself, or autonym. reduced range made it difficult for such a large popula-
It also has had numerous spelling variations, Hocak, tion to be sustained.[8]
Hotanke, Houchugarra, Hotcangara, Ochungaraw, Ochun- Nicolet reported a gathering of approximately 5,000
garah, Hochungra[1] Hochungara, and Ochangara. Transla- warriors as the Ho-Chunk entertained him. Historians
tions include: "the fish eaters," "the trout people," "the estimate that the population in 1634 may have ranged
big fish people"[7], "the big speech people," "the people from 8,000 to more than 20,000. Between that time and
of the big voice," "the people of the parent speech"[1], the first return of French trappers and traders in the
and "the people of the original language." Current elders late 1650s, the population was reduced drastically, with
say it means, "the people of the big voice" or "the people some[citation needed] reporting it dropped below a total of
of the sacred language."[6] only 500 people. The result was the Ho-Chunk’s loss of
dominance in the region. Numerous Algonquian tribes
History migrated west to escape the problems caused by the pow-
erful Iroquois tribes’ aggressiveness in the Beaver Wars.
The reasons given by historians for the reduction in
population vary, but they agree on three major causes:
the loss of several hundred warriors in a storm on a lake
in the course of a military effort. One account says this
took place on Lake Michigan after the warriors had re-
pulsed the first attack by Potawatomi from what is now
Door County, Wisconsin.[9] Another says the number was
600.[10] Another says it was 500 lost in a storm on Lake
Winnebago during a failed campaign against the Fox,[11]
while still another says it was in a battle against the
Sauk.[12] Even with such a serious loss of warriors, the
historian R. David Edmunds notes that it was not enough
to cause the near decimation of the whole people; he sug-
gests two additional causes.[13] The Winnebago appar-
Winnebago family (1852).
ently suffered from a widespread disease, perhaps an epi-
demic of one of the European infectious diseases, such
The written history of the Ho-Chunk begins with the
as smallpox. (Ho-Chunk accounts said the victims turned
records made from the reports of Jean Nicolet, who in
yellow, which is not a trait of smallpox).[8] Historians
1634 was the first European to establish contact with
have rated disease as the major reason for the losses
this people. At that time the Winnebago/Ho-Chunk occu-
in American Indian populations. Historic accounts say
pied the area around Green Bay in Wisconsin, reaching
that many of the Ho-Chunk’s traditional enemies, the Illi-
beyond Lake Winnebago to the Wisconsin River and to
nois, came to help the tribe at their time of suffering
the Rock River in Illinois. The tribe traditionally prac-
and famine, aggravated by the loss of so many hunters.
ticed corn agriculture in addition to hunting. They were
The Winnebago reportedly attacked the Illinois and ate
not advanced in agriculture. Living on Green Bay, they
the dead. Enraged, Illinois warriors retaliated and killed
fished, collected wild rice, gathered sugar from maple
nearly all the Winnebago.[citation needed]
trees, and hunted game.
After peace was established between the French and
Although their Siouan language indicates either con-
Iroquois in 1701, many of the Algonquian peoples re-
tact or common origin with the other peoples of this lan-
turned to their homelands. The Ho-Chunk were relieved
guage group, the oral traditions of the Ho-Chunk speak of
of the pressure on their territory. After 1741, while some
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ho-Chunk
remained in the Green Bay area, most returned inland.[8] Marathon, Sauk, Shawano, and Wood Counties in Wis-
From a low of perhaps less than 500, the population of the consin.
people gradually recovered, aided by intermarriage with The tribe operates six casinos in Wisconsin: Ho-
neighboring tribes and with some of the French traders Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells in Baraboo, Ho-Chunk
and trappers. A count from 1736 gives a population of Gaming Black River Falls in Black River Falls,[16] Ho-
700.[citation needed] In 1806, they numbered 2,900 or more. Chunk Gaming Nekoosa in Nekoosa,[17] Ho-Chunk Gam-
A census in 1846 reported 4,400, but in 1848 the number ing Wittenberg in Wittenberg,[18] Ho-Chunk Gaming
given is only 2,500. Like other American Indian tribes, the Tomah in Tomah, and Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison in
Ho-Chunk suffered great losses during the smallpox epi- Madison.[19]
demics of 1757-58 and 1836; in the 19th-century epidem-
ic, they lost nearly one-quarter of their population.[8] To- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
day the total population of the Ho-Chunk people is about Further information: Native American tribes in Nebraska
12,000.
Through a series of forced moves imposed by the U.S.
government in the 19th century, the tribe was relocated
to reservations increasingly further west: in Wisconsin,
Minnesota, South Dakota and finally Nebraska. Through
the period of forced relocations, many tribe members re-
turned to previous homes, especially in Wisconsin, de-
spite the US Army’s repeated roundups and removals.
The U.S. government finally allowed the Wisconsin Win-
nebago to homestead land in the state. The Ho-Chunk in
Nebraska have gained federal recognition as an indepen-
dent tribe.
Waukon, Iowa and Decorah, Iowa, both county seats,
of Allamakee and Winneshiek County, Iowa, respectively,
were named after the 19th-century Ho-Chunk chief
Waukon Decorah.
Gender Roles
The Ho-Chunk men were hunters, catching fish and small
game. A few of the men were also trained to create jew-
lery and other body decorations out of silver and copper
for both men and women. Women were gatherers, col-
lecting corn, squash, roots, berries, and sap from maple
trees, which they used to create syrup and candy. Women
also tanned hides, created mats, and made clothing. [14] Martha Gradolf, contemporary weaver, is enrolled in the Win-
nebago Tribe of Nebraska
Ho-Chunk tribes today The tribe has a reservation in northeastern Nebraska[20]
and western Iowa. The Winnebago Indian Reservation
Ho-Chunk Nation lies primarily in the northern part of Thurston County,
This tribe is headquartered in Black River Falls, Wiscon- but small parts extend into southeastern Dixon County
sin.[15] Formerly known as the Wisconsin Winnebago and Woodbury County, Iowa. There is a small plot of off-
Tribe, they changed their name to the Ho-Chunk Nation. reservation land of 116.75 acres (0.4725 km2) in south-
There were 7,192 tribe members as of May 23, 2011; 5,042 ern Craig Township in Burt County, Nebraska. The total
lived in Wisconsin, and 2,150 lived somewhere else. 3,158 land area is 457.857 km² (176.78 sq mi). The 2000 census
are males, 3,674 are females, 1,972 are minors, 4,619 are reported a population of 2,588 persons living on these
adults, and 601 are elders.[citation needed] The tribe owns lands. The largest community is the village of Winneba-
4,602 acres (18.625 km²) scattered across parts of 12 go, with other communities in Emerson and Thurston,
counties in Wisconsin and one county in Minnesota. The Nebraska.
largest concentrations are in Jackson County, Clark The Omaha also have a reservation in Thurston Coun-
County, and Monroe County in Wisconsin. Smaller areas ty. Together, both tribes cover the whole land area of
lie in Adams, Crawford, Dane, Juneau, La Crosse, Thurston County. The Winnebago tribe operates the
WinnaVegas Casino in the Iowa portion of the reserva-
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ho-Chunk
tion. This land was west of the Missouri River, but the
United States Army Corps of Engineers changed the
course of the Missouri River, and the reservation land
was divided into Iowa and Nebraska. So, although Iowa is
east of the Missouri River, the tribe successfully argued
that this land belonged to them under the terms of a pre-
dated deed. This land has a postal address of Sloan, Iowa,
since rural addresses are normally covered by the near-
est post office.
The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is governed by an
elected nine-person council. The administration is as fol-
lows:
• John Blackhawk, Chairman
• Darwin Snyder, Vice-Chairman
• Travis Mallory, Treasurer
• Louis C. Houghton Jr., Secretary
• Thomas Snowball Sr., member
• Romona Wolfe, member
• Morgan Earth, member
• Larry Payer, member
• Charles Aldrich, member[21]
Notable Ho-Chunk people Photograph of Cpl. Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr., Korean War Medal
of Honor winner
• Angel De Cora, artist and educator
• Chief Waukon Decorah, warrior and orator
• Glory of the Morning, 18th-century chief
• Henry Roe Cloud, born 1884, Yale graduate, educator
• Truman Lowe, artist
• Hononegah, co-founder of Rockton, Illinois
• Mountain Wolf Woman
• Red Bird, chief and leader during the 1827
Winnebago War
• Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr., Korean War Medal of Honor
recipient
• Chief Yellow Thunder (also known as Waun-kaun-
tshaw-zee-kau)
• James Young Deer (also known as J. Younger
Johnston), film actor, director, writer, and producer
• Red Wing (also known as Lillian St. Cyr), film actress
See also
• Ho-Chunk mythology
• Winnebago language
• Badger Army Ammunition Plant
• Doty Island
• Native American tribes in Nebraska
Notes
Chief Waukon Decorah in 1825.
[1] ^ Pritzker, 475
• Joba Chamberlain, Major League Baseball pitcher [2] Among them Nicholas Perrot, et al; The Indian Tribes
of the Upper Mississippi Valley and Region of the Great
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ho-Chunk
Lakes; Emma Helen Blair, Ed.; Arthur H. Clark • Catholic Encyclopedia entry
Company; Cleveland; 1911; Vol. 1, p. 288, note 199 • WinnaVegas Casino
[3] UW - Green Bay - Wisconsin’s French Connections • Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Origins of the French and English Names for the • Paul Radin’s Winnebago Notebooks at the American
Bay of Green Bay Philosophical Library
[4] Winnebago Indian Tribe • [2], official website
[5] Holand, Hjalmar R., History of Door County: The
County Beautiful, Volume 1, S.J. Clarke Publishing
Co, Chicago, 1917; reprinted 1993 by Wm Caxton
Ltd, Ellison Bay, WI, page 38
[6] ^ About Us from Ho-ChunkNation.com
[7] Radin, p.5
[8] ^ Winnebago from dickshovel.com
[9] Edmunds, R. David, The Potawatomis: Keepers of the
Fire, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1978,
p. 5
[10] Mason, Carol I., Introduction to Wisconsin Indians,
Sheffield Publishing Co., Salem, WI, p. 66
[11] Potawatomi
[12] Clifton, James A., The Prairie People: Continuity and
Change in Potawatomi Indian Culture 1665-1965,
Lawrence, Kansas: The Regents Press of Kansas,
1977, p. 37
[13] Edmunds, R.D., p. 5
[14] http://www.ho-chunknation.com/AboutUs.aspx
[15] "Tribal Governments by Area." National Congress of
American Indians. . Retrieved 21 June 2010.
[16] Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls
[17] Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa
[18] Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg
[19] "Wisconsin Indian Casinos." 500 Nations . Retrieved
21 June 2010.
[20] "About Us." Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. . Retrieved
21 December 2009.
[21] [1] Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Retrieved 2
November 2011.
References
• Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia:
History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0195138771.
• Paul Radin. The Winnebago Tribe. Lincoln: University
of Nebraska Press, 1990. ISBN 0-8032-5710-4.
• Ho-Chunk Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust
Land, Wisconsin/Minnesota United States Census
Bureau
• Winnebago Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust
Land, Nebraska/Iowa United States Census Bureau
External links
• Ho-Chunk Nation, official website
• The Encyclopedia of Hočąk (Winnebago) Mythology
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ho-Chunk&oldid=463039612"
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ho-Chunk
Categories:
• Native American tribes in Minnesota
• Native American tribes in Nebraska
• Native American tribes in Wisconsin
• Native American tribes in Illinois
• Native American tribes in Iowa
• Adams County, Wisconsin
• Clark County, Wisconsin
• Monroe County, Wisconsin
• Jackson County, Wisconsin
• Crawford County, Wisconsin
• Dane County, Wisconsin
• Juneau County, Wisconsin
• La Crosse County, Wisconsin
• Marathon County, Wisconsin
• Sauk County, Wisconsin
• Shawano County, Wisconsin
• Wood County, Wisconsin
• Woodbury County, Iowa
• Thurston County, Nebraska
• Dixon County, Nebraska
• Burt County, Nebraska
• Houston County, Minnesota
• Lynwood, Illinois
• Ho-Chunk
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