Ho-Chunk, Inc. is proud to announce that the 2026 recipient of the Ho-Chunk Way Employee Donations Program is the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Wake and Burial Program.
The Wake and Burial Program provides essential support to families during one of life’s most difficult moments. The tribally funded program assists with funeral arrangements and burial preparations in partnership with Munderloh Funeral Home while also overseeing the Ho-Chunk Community Center, where wakes, funerals and other cultural gatherings are held.
Support from Ho-Chunk Way will help strengthen the program’s ability to continue serving the community and maintaining the facilities that play an important role in honoring loved ones and preserving cultural traditions.
The Wake and Burial Program reflects the values of compassion, respect and community. By helping families navigate the practical and cultural responsibilities that follow the loss of a loved one, the program allows them to focus on honoring their family members and supporting one another.
SweetGrass Trading Company is part of Ho-Chunk Trading Group, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. In 2017, Ho-Chunk, Inc. established the Ho-Chunk Way Employee Donations Program as part of its mission to improve the quality of life for the Winnebago community. Through employee donations and company support, the program has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations and initiatives that advance tribal priorities.
Past Ho-Chunk Way recipients include the Winnebago Veterans Service Office, Winnebago Senior Center, Winnebago Tribal Farm, Whirling Thunder Wellness Center and Winnebago Wildlife and Parks, and more. Each organization plays an important role in strengthening the Winnebago community, and the addition of the Wake and Burial Program continues that tradition.
The selection of the Wake and Burial Program as the 2026 recipient reflects Ho-Chunk Way’s continued commitment to supporting programs that strengthen the Winnebago community and preserve important cultural traditions for future generations.
For more information about the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Wake and Burial Program, visit the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska website.