Meet Jaylene Greeley!

Jaylene Greeley is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe.

She grew up inSouth Sioux City and is currently attending Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago getting her
AA in Liberal Arts.

Her favorite food is Chinese. Something on Jaylene’s bucket list is finishing school with her Masters degree and traveling the world.

If she had a TV show, she would call it “Be the Best Version of Yourself,” and it would be about becoming successful and reaching your goals no matter what is thrown at you.

Her favorite quote is, “Be the best version of you.”

Jaylene wants to learn more about the business industry, and she believes that being an intern at Ho–Chunk, Inc. is a step in the door for just that.

Meet Sharon Bassette!

Sharon Bassette (Mąąnąąpe Xunu Wįga) is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

She is attending the University of Oklahoma College of Law and is planning ongetting her Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law.

Her favorite food is toast.

Something on Sharon’s bucket list is to go to the Turks and Caicos.

A quote Sharon favors says, “Every day might not be good but there is good in every day.”

During her internship, Sharon would like to learn more about Ho-Chunk, Inc.’s legal department and the structure/business model of SweetWater Cafe and the Pony Express stores.

WIN editor describes Ho–Chunk, Inc. internships as ‘building blocks’ to communicate in business.

Using her writing, photography and design skills, Jordana Bass is working hard to publish a newspaper that tells the stories of the people and important issues that impact the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

“I’ve always felt I have been a writer,” Jordana said.

Therefore, heading up the Winnebago Indian News is not only a good artistic outlet but also a great position from which, “to tell stories that drive awareness of the issues that our community faces,” she added.

It is the same newspaper that by age 12 Jordana recalled reading and also sketching on at home, in her early version of delving into graphic design.

Now two decades later, Jordana, since April 2022, has been editor of Winnebago Indian News, or WIN, which is the official newspaper for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

The WIN was established in 1972 and publishes bi–weekly editions with the goal of informing Tribal members of crucial issues impacting them. Working out of the WIN office in Winnebago, Jordana works with Office Circulation Manager Tyler Snake to produce the newspapers.

Jordana likes the fare of broad newspaper topics that have been addressed in the Winnebago Indian News. That includes coverage of Winnebago High School and how a buffalo herd was established in Winnebago. In the future, Jordana said she aims to delve into the sometimes-thorny topics of the Indian Child Welfare Act and also blood quantum.

Blood quantum is the controversial measurement through a construct of race on the amount Native blood a person has, which can impact several things, including whether a person or their children can become citizens of their tribes.

Some tribes are debating whether to throw out blood quantum minimum percentages and use lineal descent to address enrollment requirements, and Jordana said she wants to give awareness on all those options via WIN.

Tribal members get a free subscription, and she is working to increase advertising.

Jordana worked in other fields and had a few internships with Ho–Chunk, Inc. in the 2010’s that helped her feel her way into the right career path. She has an Associate’s Degree from Salish Kootenai College in Montana in 2015, where her field of study was graphic design, plus a later Bachelor’s Degree in Cinematic Arts & Technology from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Meet Jalen Merrick!

Jalen Ryan Merrick is from Walthill, Nebraska and is an enrolled member of the Omaha Tribe of
Nebraska.

He is pursuing a degree in Indigenous American Indian Studies at Haskell Indian Nations University and will also be obtaining his AA in Recreation Fitness Management.

His favorite food is his mom’s chicken fried rice or spam. Something on his bucket list is to spend a week in a foreign country and to buy his parents a
house.

If he had his own television show, it would be called “The Life of Jay Ry,” and it would be a reality TV show about what his life is like
His favorite quote is “If you’re going to start something, no matter what it is, don’t quit.”

During his internship, Jalen hopes to gain knowledge and experience on what it feels like working in a business environment and to hopefully expand his horizon toward his degree.

Ho–Chunk Capital CEO honored for advancing economic development in Native communities

Ho–Chunk Capital CEO Dennis Johnson was recently honored for his ongoing efforts to grow economic development in Native communities.

Johnson, an enrolled citizen of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, was named Economic Development Professional of the Year at the Travois Superhero Awards ceremony during the 23rd Annual Travois Indian Country Affordable Housing and Economic Development Conference in Washington, D.C. The award is given to a professional who has sparked positive economic change through infrastructure, health care, education, business or
other community projects.

“I am honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” Johnson said. “Ho–Chunk Capital has been at the cutting–edge of real estate development since its inception, and I’m thankful for the support of our entire team and trusted partners. I feel blessed to be able to be a part of adding
quality jobs, impactful community improvements and quality housing in our Native communities.”

Ho–Chunk Capital began as the investment and real estate development division of Ho–Chunk, Inc., which was formed by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska to create jobs and diversify its economy. Under Johnson’s leadership, Ho–Chunk Capital has expanded to offer other Tribal organizations the expertise needed to create successful developments in their own communities.

“Dennis doesn’t just work tirelessly to see his own Tribe succeed,” Travois President Phil Glynn said. “He shares his knowledge and experience because he wants to see all Tribes to succeed in creating jobs, homes and opportunities for people.”

Additionally, Johnson is an entrepreneur in his own right. In January, he opened a Pizza Ranch restaurant in Bemidji, Minnesota, creating quality and accessible jobs in an economically distressed, non–metropolitan community. Travois helped finance the project using the New Markets Tax Credit program.

“This honoring raises the bar for all of us,” Glynn said. “Dennis brings vision, tenacity, and high expectations to everything that he does.”

Travois, a Certified B Corporation focused exclusively on promoting housing and economic development with American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, presents Superhero Awards in seven categories: Housing Professional of the Year, Economic Development Professional of the Year, Pillar of the Year, Haven of the Year, Project Team of the Year, Groundbreaking Team of the Year and Transformative Initiative of the Year.

“It’s a pleasure to recognize the hard work of our colleagues each year. Each award highlights the incredible persistence and creativity needed to make a difference in a community,” Travois

CEO Elizabeth Glynn said. “I’m so happy to share their stories and hope it inspires others in Indian Country to pursue their big plans, too.”