Margaret Scott
Wažąnįwįną, hižąkišąną hįnįkaragiwiną. My name is Margaret Scott, but everybody calls me Emmy. I am from the Whitebeaver family. The Whitebeaver song is my jam! It was created in honor of my great-grandmother Agnes Hinman Whitebeaver. I carry her Hoocák name, Nąąjupįį, and I dance for her. My mother is Kim (Scott) Merrick. My grandmother was Bette (Scott) Whitebeaver.
What do I bring to the table?
I am law trained. I received my J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law in 2019 with a certificate in Indigenous Law and Policy. I know how to read and interpret a tribal constitution, and to follow the letter of the law. I would be an asset in updating our tribal codes.
What is my number one priority?
Our Hoocák language. I applaud the efforts and success of the Duel Language Classrooms, but we need to be doing more and truly investing in our Hoocák language. We are in a state of emergency with the loss of many fluent speakers. I, myself, have been taking virtual classes from the Hoocák Academy out of Wisconsin for the past 2 years.
Want to know more?
Check my Facebook for my full statement and I invite you and your family to the Pixar film “Hoppers” at the Big Screen on June 9, 2026 at 5:00pm, where I will be feeding hot dogs. Come talk with me and share your ideas! I hope to earn your vote for Winnebago Tribal Council.
Angie Walker
Hello Tribal Members,
For those who do not know me, My name is Angie Marie Walker, the Wiha to Sheila K. Snow and the late Michael Thomas "Mickey" Walker, I belong to the Eagle Clan, a mother of three adult children, Cassondra Marie Walker; Anthony Cole Walker & Isaiah Miguel Walker, grandmother to six grandchildren, Yasenia Marie Walker, Carmelita Marie Walker, Kimimila Kay Walker, Jai Travis Walker, Sofia Grace Walker, Matias Alexander Walker, and wife to Shannon Tyrone Walker- Poafpybitty. My Paternal grandparents are Neola Earth Walker/ Thomas T. Walker Jr. Maternal grandparents: Mary Ann BigBear-Venezia/Chris Snow JR. I represent my family, ancestors and looking forward to our future generations to come.
In the upcoming special election on June 10, 2026, please get out and vote. Our Tribe has two open seats available, and your vote matters. I am one of the candidates who submitted their letter of intent. I am here to be of service to our Winnebago People, as I continue to do so since March 9, 2009, of working for our community in various tribal programs and committees I served on, currently the President of our LaMere-Greencrow-Rice Legion Post # 363 Women's Auxiliary.
Mauna Bless us all
Pinagigi
Angie M. Walker
Terry St. Cyr
Member of the Bear Clan: Clan name = Sneaks Up On The Enemy
Paternal Grandparents: Ann Sun and Mitchell St. Cyr: descendant of Alexander Payer and Mitchell St. Cyr (interpreters for current Winnebago Tribe Treaties with USA) descendant of Chief Little Priest.
Maternal Grandparents: Alvina Rave and Edward Blackfish: descendants of John Rave and Chief Blackfish.
If given the opportunity to serve I know that we can develop some great programs to better serve our tribal members. I humbly ask for your vote on June 10, pina-gigi.
Please read the following as it gives a clear picture of what has been accomplished and what I know can be accomplished.
Priorities Upon Election
– Increase financial benefits for our elders and build a new senior facility that reflects our customs and traditions
– Build a Long-Term Care facility (nursing home)
– Increase health care programs to meet our actual tribal membership needs, in particular dental, diabetes and cancer care
– Negotiate Agreement with Mayo Clinic for a Cadre of Doctors to continually rotate through 12 Clans to provide state of the art care for our Diabetes and Cancer patients
– Develop Tribal Self-Insurance to allow all tribal members with medical problems to get the best care possible for a better quality of life
– Increase Education funding for all tribal members regardless of where they live
Previous Accomplishments while on the Tribal Council
– Committee Chair to negotiate Tribal/State Gaming Compact with the State of Iowa
– Committee Chair to negotiate Casino Management Team
– Committee Chair to Establish casino Profit Distribution
– Executed Per Cap Distribution Plan for all tribal members
– Started Winnebago Gaming Development, Iron Horse
– Committee to Plan and Develop Boys and Girls Club
– Committee Chair to develop Renaissance language program
– Committee Chair to start HHCCDC, which led to the development north of town
– Committee Chair to Build the HoChunk Center
– Committee Chair to enclose the public swimming pool
– Planned and developed day care center for our casino employees
Thelma Whitewater
Thelma “Chickie” Whitewater, Candidate for Tribal Council
Tribe: Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
HoChunk name: Ma\s`u\pi]\wiga, meaning “Good Feather”
Clan: Eagle
Born and raised in the country of Winnebago, she learned from her parents, elders, and community. Most people know her as “Chickie,”. She is a Hochunk hinu\k who carries herself with integrity, honesty, and the values she was raised with. She lives a clean and sober lifestyle and has remained alcohol‑ and drug‑free for the past 13 years.
Throughout her life experiences she has carried the voices of those who’ve been silenced, she supports others to rise, speak truth, and stand for what is right and she stands with them. Everything about her reflects cultural values, responsibility to the people, and a deep love for this community.
Cultural & Family Background
Chickie is the daughter of the belated Stanford “Caxsep” Whitewater Sr. and Marie White Wolf Whitewater, both fluent Hochunk speakers who believed and lived a Hochunk way of life. Her dad opened his home to anyone who wanted to learn, teaching Hochunk for free and helping keep our language alive for future generations.
Her bloodline goes back to Wabokieshiek (White Cloud), the Winnebago Prophet, a lineage rooted in truth, responsibility, and guiding the people through change.
These teachings helped shape her understanding of leadership: sobriety, integrity, humility, honesty, and care for those who struggle.
Education & Training
- Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts
- Legal Advocate Certificate, University of Wisconsin Law School
Her education strengthened her ability to support victims, understand legal processes, and stand with those who need help navigating difficult situations.
Life Experience & Service to the People
Chickie’s life has always revolved around helping and supporting our people, especially in their hardest moments. She has served the community in many roles, including:
- CHR/EMT, responding to emergencies and caring for people in crisis
- Wildland firefighting, protecting land and community
- Victim advocacy, standing beside those who have been hurt or silenced
- Supporting those who fell, being a voice for those who have none
These experiences helped shape her into a strong, independent Hochunk woman who stands firm but also knows how to work as a team player for the betterment of the community.
Cultural Participation
Chickie actively participates in cultural activities including cross-country powwows, staying connected to the people, and the teachings that keep our identity strong.
Work With Elders & Community
Chickie has spent her life working closely with elders by checking on them, listening to their stories, and making sure their voices are respected. She was raised to honor and protect their wellbeing, and she continues to live by that.
She also started Family Tree Night at the Senior Citizen Center and has held it in various locations around Winnebago. She created it to help families learn about their lineage, reconnect with their roots, and strengthen who they are. That’s her heart: bringing people together, helping them understand where they come from, and keeping our culture strong.
Values & Guiding Principles
Chickie’s values come directly from her upbringing and the teachings she was raised with:
- Integrity and honesty
- Respect for elders and ancestral knowledge
- Hochunk beliefs and humility
- Supporting those who struggle or go unheard
- Strengthening families and community wellbeing
- Protecting culture, language, and identity
Why She Is Seeking to Serve on Tribal Council
Chickie is stepping forward for Tribal Council to continue serving her people. She believes in standing with those who struggle, supporting families, and helping build a community where every person has the opportunity to grow and succeed. She also recognizes the rising cost of living and is committed to bringing forward community concerns about per capita and advocating for those who are most affected.
Vote for Chickie, she will be your voice.
Stand with Chickie Whitewater
#ChickieWhitewater #WinnebagoTribe #HochunkStrong #TribalCouncil
Tiffany Warner
Hanac Hinikaragi (I greet you all)
My Hocak name is Mak sga iga which means white breasted woman. My English name is Tiffani Warner. I am a proud member of the Bear Clan, and an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. My parents were the late Harold Cleveland Sr. wanagira and Gloria Phillips Webster wanagira. My paternal grandparents were the late Moses Cleveland wanagira and Leatha Lydia Hittle wanagira. My maternal grandparents were the late George Webster wanagira and Maggie Phillips wanagira. In my personal life, I have been blessed with a strong family foundation. I have been married to my husband, Roland, for 35 years, and together we have raised four children: Esther, Agnes, Moses and Martha.
I am seeking a seat on the Tribal Council to serve as a dedicated, steadfast voice for our people. My commitment is to represent our community with integrity, honor our heritage, and advocate for the future of our tribe. I will focus on the prioritization of the Hocak language and culture as I believe it is an important part of who we are. I am running for tribal council to work together with this community to strengthen our community. I have been dancing in the arena for many years, and I continue to dance today. It is a way of life that I want other youth and community members to embrace and enjoy. For me, dancing allows me to connect with our Hocakra way of life and embrace other culture as well. I am proud to dance each year at our annual Homcoming Celebration each year. It is important to me that I share my dancing knowledge with youth and others who wish to learn. I have learned cross stitch and sew my own waje and this is something I want to incorporate at the educational organizations in our community.
Currently, I work at the Winnebago Public School and enjoy seeing the youth greeting, encouraging and talking with them each day. I hold an Associates of Arts degree from Little Priest Tribal College. I also attended Wayne State College for two semesters.
Keely Purscell
Damon Payer
Hello, Tribal Members.
For those who do not know me, my name is Damon Payer. I am a member of the Bear Clan and come from the Payer/Ricehill families. My father was Henry payer, and my mother was Rita Payer. My grandparents were Ed and Esther Payer and Henry and Martha Ricehill. My wife, Benita, and I have been together for 34 years. I am blessed with five children and six wonderful grandchildren.
I am a combat veteran who proudly served in the U.S Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg. Today I am honored to announce my candidacy for Tribal Council.
I have chosen to run for Council because I care deeply about our people, our traditions, and our future. Our tribe has a strong history and culture, and I believe we have an opportunity to build on that foundation for generations to come. I believe strong leadership comes from collaboration, respect, honesty and accountability.
Thank you for your consideration and support. I hope you will get out and vote
Pinagigi,
Damon Payer
Candidate for Tribal Council