The man whose Ho-Chunk name is Hakikóx Walu Piga (“Makes his way”) is certainly making his way into the world in a highly accomplished way.

Alexander Mallory has been high achieving since his school days at the South Sioux City Community School District and hasn’t eased off since then. In fact, speaking in an interview from where he lives in Phoenix, Alexander shared that he is now working in his dream job.

“My dream was to clerk for a federal district court. I achieved what I thought was impossible…I still have to pinch myself,” he said.

Alexander has nearly completed his two-year post as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Diane J. Humetewa of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Landing that position came with long odds since each U.S. District Judge gets about 500 applicants for the two law clerks hired for each two-year cycle.

Humetewa was appointed to the federal bench in Arizona in 2014 by President Barack Obama, and she is the first Native American to be appointed as a federal judge. Therefore, Alexander said, “As someone who is Native to serve with someone who is Native herself, it is extraordinary” to be in this specific post.

Growing up in the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Alexander said he got inspiration from many people around him, citing uncles and his paternal grandfather.

“My Choka (Kenny Mallory) served on our Tribal Council for over two decades and taught me that true fulfillment comes from serving a cause greater than yourself,” Alexander said. “He showed me that government can be a force for good… The law allows me to serve others in a greater capacity than I could otherwise.”

He added that he enjoys seeing first-hand how the courts are doing good work to serve equitable justice.

The legal tasks done by the federal court in Phoenix are a big challenge, he said, since it is the fifth busiest docket in the U.S. The work of Alexander as one of the two Judicial Law Clerks is essentially to advise Judge Humetewa concerning all of her civil and criminal docket of cases.

“We are basically her adviser. We help her make her decision…You sit down and write orders,” he said, based on the merits of the case at hand.

Alexander received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska. The first summer in college, in 2012, Alexander had an internship through Ho-Chunk Inc., with then-named law firm Fredericks, Peebles & Morgan, currently Big Fire Law.

He said of that internship, “It solidified my desire, my career aspirations, to be an attorney. Being there helped me see how attorneys draft and write pleadings.”

Finishing his work at UNL included the 2016 honors thesis “The Plight of Punishment: Incarceration in Indian Country.” From there, Alexander attended the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, and in 2019 he earned a law degree with Highest Pro Bono Distinction for giving legal assistance at no cost.

That time at ASU included the fall 2018 semester attending the Bocconi University School of Law in Milan, Italy.

“It was here where I developed a deeper appreciation of the United States’ respect for and adherence to the rule of law. Each day, I strive to protect and preserve those foundations,” he said.

Just prior to his current position in Arizona, Alexander worked as an Attorney Advisor for the U.S. Department of Justice Honors Program in Fort Worth, Texas.

Many people who are Judicial Law Clerks for federal judges go on themselves to become federal judges or U.S. Supreme Court Justices. Alexander isn’t sure what comes next once the two-year term ends in September 2023.

One option is private practice, although he adds that he sure has enjoyed federal work. This is a young man who was voted “Most Likely To Be President” by his South Sioux City High School Class of 2011 classmates, so there are options galore in the path ahead for Hakikóx Walu Piga as he makes his way.

Congratulations to our second class of Apprenticeship students who gave their final presentations to their parents, site supervisors, and educators at the Winnebago Public School last week!

The Apprenticeship Program was designed to provide Winnebago students who are nearing high school graduation with meaningful real-world work opportunities as part of their regular class schedules so that they can build their capacity to enter the workforce career-ready, qualified, and confident.

We are grateful for a strong partnership between the Winnebago Tribe Education Department, Winnebago Public School, and Ho-Chunk, Inc., which allows for successful community programs.

Meet Una Darlington! She is a Human Resources Business Partner with All Native Group. In her role, she supports ANG employees on government contracts. She also helps new employees adjust into the ANG family and understand the company’s mission to the Winnebago Tribe.

Read on to learn more!

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

I enjoy working with employees and the site management teams to resolve issues and answer questions.

How have you been able to grow since you started with ANG?

I have worked with ANG for almost two years. I have grown in that time through my interactions with our customers. Every person has their unique perspective, and I have strengths that allow me to understand, adjust and grow from their views.

What has been one of your favorite projects so far?

I can’t say that I have had any favorite projects. Whatever project I am working on becomes my favorite project at that moment.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Art has always been my passion. I enjoy taking art classes, going to art museums, quilting, making orgonite pyramids, painting, drawing, collaging, and traveling to new places in the U.S. and internationally.

What is something about you that might surprise people?

In college, I took a history class and the professor mentioned that you can glean a lot about a community if you visit the local cemetery. You can see pattern of events that occurred and insight into how people lived. I started to visit cemeteries with my roommate in Massachusetts where we went to school and fell in love with the artwork on the tombstones and the sayings.  I started doing rubbings of the artwork with special paper and charcoal and on occasion would frame them. One tombstone said, “I told you I was sick.”

What has surprised you about working for ANG?

I was most surprised at the diversity of Ho-Chunk, Inc.’s business lines and how the funds from the different businesses benefit the Winnebago people. It is awesome, and one of the reasons I love working with ANG.

Do you have anything you’re looking forward to or have you done anything fun or interesting lately?

I am looking forward to taking a vacation to the island of Mauritius. The people are diverse and peaceful. During the pandemic, the country closed its borders, shut down businesses and initiated emergency planning where everyone was given food and water to shelter in place. The island is beautiful and has a rich history and incredible food.

Introducing Dynamic Systems, a newly formed government contracting company owned by Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Its leadership team has years of experience in successfully executing contracts for facilities management, HVAC/Mechanical, and building engineer services.

“We take pride in servicing properties both inside and out, supporting customer goals, and reducing costs,” said Rich Sahm, the company’s director of strategic growth.

The tribally-owned company participates in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program, and provides maintenance, grounds services and janitorial services to federal, state, local and tribal government organizations.

Dynamic Systems will work in conjunction with Ho-Chunk, Inc.’s existing government contracting companies, All Native Group and Flatwater Group, to provide wide ranging solutions to fit nearly all clients’ needs.

Offices are located in Winnebago; Bellevue, Neb.; Hopkinsville, Ky.; and Austin, Texas.

Learn more.

Winnebago is glowing bright with the sights of the season.

Enjoy some festive images from around the community!

Blade is an enrolled Winnebago Tribal member and has worked for Ho-Chunk, Inc. for two years. He is an IT Technician in Winnebago.

The Apprenticeship Program is a shining example of community partnerships benefitting the youth of the Winnebago.

Check out these snapshots of the Apprentices at their worksites throughout the semester!

With the program wrapping up soon for this semester, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who helps make this impactful program a reality.

The program is a partnership between the Winnebago Tribe Education Department, Winnebago Public School and Ho-Chunk, Inc. and aligns with the mission of providing educational and work opportunities to our youth.

Learn how Ho-Chunk Capital is moving forward on a plan to develop 36.5 acres in South Sioux City, Nebraska into a mix of residential and commercial properties.

The company’s real estate developments help generate sustainable, long-term revenue for Ho-Chunk, Inc.’s mission in Winnebago.

SOUTH SIOUX CITY — A familiar developer has plans to add more much-needed housing in South Sioux City.

Ho-Chunk Capital is seeking to develop 36.5 acres of ag land on the city’s south side into single-family housing, duplexes and apartments, plus commercial property. Rising mortgage interest rates are causing the developer to reconsider the construction schedule of the $57 million project, but some building could begin in the coming year, pending South Sioux City Council approval.

Click here to read the story from the Sioux City Journal.

Check out and share this fantastic opportunity!

Our summer internship program starts May 15 and ends July 28, 2023, and there are placements available in Winnebago, Sioux City, IA, and Fairfax, VA.

Deadline to apply is March 1

Check out Tribal Tea Co.’s herbal, loose leaf teas! They are hand-packed on the Winnebago Reservation and shipped to your doorstep.

The new brand is offered by SweetGrass Trading Company, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk, Inc.

There are a variety of flavors sure to satisfy the tastes of everyone on your holiday shopping list: alfalfa spearmint, apricot-cinnamon, cinnamon cardamom, hibiscus peppermint, juniper berry and peppermint chamomile.

Giving back: Ten percent of all proceeds from the tea sales will go to mental health-centered non-profits focused on Native American communities.

Find your flavor here >>