"The Ponca Tribe isn’t the only tribe fighting for its people’s economic welfare. Tribes across the country have begun establishing economic development organizations designed to start businesses that can help sustain tribal members. In Nebraska, the Winnebago Tribe has become a model for other tribes seeking to diversify their economic interests beyond casinos.

While the Winnebagos’ casino, WinnaVegas, provided the catalyst money needed to start its economic development corporation, Ho-Chunk Inc., the corporation has become self-sustaining. It even has begun funding improvements on the tribe’s northeast Nebraska reservation, said Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc.

With more than 20 subsidiaries, Ho-Chunk Inc. earns nearly $100 million a year in government contracting and even has elicited outrage among larger government contractors that fear the company’s growing portfolio, Morgan said. He said the corporation offers a way for the tribe’s members to get off federal food stamp and welfare programs.

“If you don’t like Indian government contracting, you just don’t like Indians,” he said. “We bring a huge amount of economic activity to rural Nebraska.”"

Get the Story:
Kevin Abourezk: For tribes, business an emerging battleground (The Lincoln Journal Star 7/30)