Winnebago, Nebraska (ICC)

The 140th annual Homecoming Celebration of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska will be held July 27th through July 30th. This summer’s pow wow commemorates Chief Little Priest and Company “A” Fort Omaha Scouts of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Chief Little Priest was the last true war-chief of the Winnebago people. Little Priest was born in Wisconsin on the tribe’s ancestral lands but became a war chief in 1844 in northeast Iowa where the tribe had been forced to move to what was then described as “neutral ground” by the U. S. Government. The tribe was moved several more times in the coming years.

In 1863, the Winnebago were forced to move again to South Dakota to face virtual starvation at the hands of the U. S. Government. Seeing this, Little Priest and some of his followers escaped down the Missouri to the Omaha Reservation in northeast Nebraska.

In the summer of 1863, Chief Little Priest and 46 other warriors enlisted in a Nebraska cavalry regiment and fought with General Alfred Sully. In late 1864, Chief Little Priest’s company of Winnebago scouts was assigned to a cavalry regiment out of Fort Omaha Nebraska. In 1865, the band enlisted in Company “A” of the Fort Omaha Scouts at Decatur, Nebraska.

Throughout these years, Little Priest and his band fought alongside the cavalry in various battles against the Lakota and other tribes. Little Priest remarked that it hurt him deep in his heart to fight his own brothers, but he wanted to bring peace to his people, because he did not want to move again.

On September 12, 1866, Chief Little Priest died of wounds received in a battle with the Lakota. He is buried near Winnebago. Ceremonies were held to honor his death and the veterans of Company A, Omaha Scouts, Nebraska Volunteers.

This year’s Homecoming Celebration continues that tradition of honoring Chief Little Priest, the Company A Scouts and all veterans who have served our country.

The Winnebago Tribe is developing the Ho-Chunk Village, a multi-use new community being built on a 40-acre tract of land in Winnebago, which features a blend of residential, commercial, industrial and cultural assets that are providing a brand new community for the tribe. The Honoring-The-Clans Sculpture Garden featuring a unique outdoor plaza showcases the 12 Clans of the Winnebago Tribe.

The Winnebago Tribe is involved in restoring bison to their native grasslands on the reservation. The tribe maintains a herd just across the highway from Ho-Chunk Village and visitors can stop and observe the bison and their calves up close and personal during their visit.

The Winnebago Tribe maintains a new cultural museum in the community honoring past tribal elders, the culture, traditions and the history of the tribe’s struggle during the past century. The Winnebago people have been noted for their basket weaving skills. Throughout the summer, the museum will feature an exhibit of baskets made by the Winnebago. The Cultural Center and Museum will be open to the public throughout the Homecoming Celebration.

FMI: Jerome LaPointe, Sr., 402.878.3222 Mon.-Fri. 8am-4:30pm or visit www.winnebagotribe.com