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June 1, 2004 marked the 30th year that
Norman Snake Sr. has been employed by the Winnebago/Ho-Chunk Nation.
Currently a Tutor/Driver helping youth at the Mission Study Center in
Black River Falls, Norman has seen the Nation grow over the past 30 years,
yet ironically his current position takes him back to the building where
he started school over 50 years ago. Summarizing the last 30 years, he
said, “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” adding that the duties of his
various positions allowed to met hundreds of people and travel the United
States from ocean to ocean. For that, he said, “I’m grateful.”
Born in Black River Falls, Norman lived in the area prior to being placed
in a foster home when he was 10-years-old. Following his graduation from
Cashton High School in 1964 and a four-year stint in the Navy, he returned
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Wisconsin where he spent
six years working in the construction industry. Though he enjoyed the
variety of work that construction offered and had no real plans to leave
the job, something happened that changed his life.
Norman recalled the event like it was yesterday. Alone, working in a
warehouse, suddenly he said, “I heard a voice.” The words he clearly
heard, “go home,” were his calling to go back to Black River Falls. “I’d
been gone since I was 10,” he remembered, yet “I knew God was calling me.”
His first job with the tribe was working at Ho-Chunk Dining Hall doing
routine maintenance on the grounds and building. He remembers spending his
first paycheck to sponsor devotions at the Native American Church in Black
River Falls. “I wanted to thank God for bringing me home,” he said.
He later worked for about a year doing minor repairs on tribal members’
homes and tribal buildings, before serving as a Youth Worker in Black
River Falls. For a brief time he later served as Youth Coordinator for the
entire tribe, working out of Nekoosa, before shifting gears and resuming
his career in Black River Falls.
He spent the next 11 years with Health and Social Services working in the
Food Distribution Warehouse. Though he later advanced to the position of
Warehouse Manager, the “wear and tear” of lifting all the boxes resulted
in shoulder surgery and Norman spent the next ten years serving as “a jack
of all trades” for Health and Social Services, doing “whatever work had to
be done.” He next spent a few years working at Central Health, serving
among other things, as the “spiritual spokesperson” for The Journey of
Hope Against Diabetes. Seeking to try something different, he spent one
year working in shipping and distribution at the Ho-Chunk Health Clinic,
prior to starting his current position.
When asked what has been the most rewarding part of his years with the
tribe, Norman quickly said, “the chance to met my relatives and work with
them.” As an added bonus, two of his six grandchildren currently attend
the Study Center but he laughed and said, “everybody calls me Choka.” The
years have been rewarding and Norman added, “I learned a lot since I came
home. I’m still learning.”
The father of four grown children; Tricia, Norman Jr., Marlin and Karena,
Norman enjoys being active and away from the job the former flag football,
basketball and softball player can be seen regularly tossing the bowling
bowl in the Black River area.
Secure in his faith, Norman looks forward to serving the Nation. “When God
is on you’re side, what can go wrong?” he concluded. |
