Authority of the Traditional Court: The Ho-Chunk Nation CONSTITUTION establishes the Judicial Branch in Article VII and refers to four types of courts: the Supreme Court, the Trial Court, lower courts of limited jurisdiction created by the Legislature, and a forum for traditional dispute resolution created by the Legislature. The following content is inclusive of the duties assumed by the Traditional Court The reader must be cognizant of the fact that the duties of the Traditional Court are not limited to the contents of this report, which only have been written down to give the reader a general understanding of Traditional Court concept is called upon to sustain and promote the traditions and culture of the Winnebago ways in other facets of the Nation's governance, administration and business activities. Oftentimes, representatives from the Nation's agencies and enterprises have sought out the advice, recommendations, and support to incorporate the unspoken laws of the Winnebago people into administrative rules, ordinances, and law.

Request for Appearance: If you should need to appear before the Traditional Court an individual may request an appearance in writing before the Traditional Court for two purposes: advice and dispute resolution. If the request involves a disputed claim, written voluntary consent must be secured from all parties who wish to appear consenting to the Court's jurisdiction and acknowledging that the decision will not be appeal able. The choice to pursue a claim in the Traditional Court foregoes the use of the Trial Court.

In-Kind Services: It is at the discretion of the Traditional Court to make a determination when a request shall be considered services, in-kind.
Actions of the Traditional Court: The Traditional Court shall have jurisdiction over all cases and controversies arising under the customs, traditions, and laws of the Ho-Chunk Nation pursuant to the CONSTITUTION. The traditional Court may also address the concerns of those seeking advice in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Winnebago people pursuant to its inherent authority.
Decisions of the Traditional Court: All parties to a suit must consent to bring an action before an action before the Traditional Court for resolution. The decision of the Traditional Court is final and unappealable. The decision, however, is only binding on those who appear before the Traditional Court. Such decisions will not be given any more authority than that provided under the Ho-Chunk Nation CONSTITTUTION.

Oral Presentation: The parties should be prepared to speak in the traditional language. However, if a party is not fluent in the language, it is preferable to request an elder male to accompany the party for appearances before the Traditional Court.
Members: meet on Monday providing that it is not on a holiday.
The Traditional Court names of men and clan currently consist of:

Wallace Blackdeer (Deer)
Donald Blackhawk (Warrior)
Dennis Funmaker (Bear)
Orville Greendeer (Deer)
Douglas Greengrass (Thunder)
Owen Mike (Buffalo)
Gavin Pettibone (Pigeon)
Douglas RedEagle (Eagle)
Preston Thompson (Eagle)
Eugene Thundercloud (Thunder)
Clayton Winneshiek (Thunder)
Morgan WhiteEagle N.A.C.

Each elder was selected to represent a clan recognized by the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people. The members acknowledge that not all clans are represented on the Traditional Court. The Traditional Court members are individuals who practice the traditional religion as well as the ways of the Native American Church. This court is not limited to a specific number of eligible members. The intended goal of membership is to represent the traditional fireplace of clan representatives that meet to handle and resolve matter of dispute.

These wonderful men have such a good sense of humor, and as always there is a time, a place, and a moment for laughter. There personalities are so unique, one individual has a deep voice, and so he seem to magnify the issue when he would speak, another voice was analytical, whom spoke in a pathetical expression, and another voice had a real smooth happy calming effect, whereas another person would have a direct and to the point statement. Needless to say it was extremely fascinating event to see these loyal men at work, and how they displayed their mannerisms of conduct.

However most importantly it is how they balanced out each other opinions as they came to their conclusion of a judiciary matter. At the same time that these Loyal Men of Traditional Court where conducting their judiciary matter, an historical event was taking place at the HCN- Executive Offices; a new Veteran Service Office was implemented.

Please notice the acknowledgement letter that was sent to the Staff of Veterans Service office:

September 16, 2002

The Traditional Court is pleased that the Legislative body has decided to reestablish the Veterans service office. It always has been a tradition that warriors, He rus ka, are held in great esteem, not only for their deeds but also as a sign of passage into manhood.

The traditional Ho-Chunk people have considered the He rus ka, as people who have followed in the footsteps of our ancestors in the defense of our country. The term for this act is called, "si wo nazi".

It must be remembered and considered that the Ho-Chunk Nation was a nation old long before the US government was created and that we defended this country against everyone who invaded our territory. This included the US government, the British and time, the Civil War, World War One, World War Two, Korean conflict, Vietnam War, and Desert Storm.

Today, we are following the rules/laws as a colonialist subjugated nation and must follow the rules/laws of the oppressors. This subjugation or following the rules of the dominant government is considered a good deed. And that this newly formed government is within the guidelines of the dominant government.

We as the Traditional Court are disturbed by the actions of the Veterans Service Office. Although it is not their fault because they are following the rules set forth by the US Government. These rules conflict with the traditional mores and ways of the Ho-Chunk Nation. We feel that anyone who has followed the footsteps of our ancient warriors should be afforded the same respect and services of his fellow service man regardless of their imperfections of action during their time spent serving the US government. We as traditional Ho-Chunk people still see these people as Ha rus ka and deserve the respect because of their efforts and were following the Ho-Chunk traditions.