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European Contact
French explorer Jean Nicolet first made contact with the Ho-Chunk in 1634 in present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin. -
Treaty with the Winnebago, 1816
A treaty of peace and friendship," the Treaty of 1816 was signed between the United States and the Ho-Chunk following the War of 1812, in which the two were on opposing sides. -
1825 Prairie du Chien Treaty
The Ho-Chunk, along with the Fox, Illinois, Ojibwe, Sauk and Sioux tribes agreed upon territorial boundaries. As a result of this treaty, the Ho-Chunk maintained a large portion land in southwest Wisconsin. -
Treaty with the Winnebago, 1829
The first of three major treaties of cession. The ho-Chunk reluctantly sold their land south of the Wisconsin River and east of Sugar Creek. -
Black Hawk War
Part of the American Indian Wars, the Black Hawk War took place from April 6, 1832 to August 27, 1832. The Black Hawk War was fought between the United States and a band of Native American allies, led by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. -
Treaty with the Winnebago, 1832
The second of three major treaties of cession. Following the Black Hawk War, the United States forced the Ho-Chunk to give up their land south of the Wisconsin River and East of the Fox River. The United States hoped to pressure the remaining Ho-Chunk to relocate to Neutral Ground in Iowa using incentives of food. -
Treaty with the Winnebago, 1837
The third of three major treaties of cession. The United States forced the Ho-Chunk to cede all of their land east of the Mississippi River. This treaty was enacted after many Ho-Chunk refused to relocate to the Neutral Ground in Iowa. -
Indian Reorganization Act of 1934
The Ho-Chunk are federally recognized by the United States as a sovereign tribe in this "Indian New Deal." The act offered tribal aid to foster economic development and strengthen relationships with tribes such as the Ho-Chunk. -
First Constitution
The Wisconsin Winnebago Acting Business Committee, a Ho-Chunk claims committee, approved a constitution in 1963 outlining the framework the Ho-Chunk Nation government. -
Revised Constitution
The tribe changed its name from the Winnebago to the Ho-Chunk in a 1994 constitution meant to redress tribal conflcits.