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Denise Sands Dodson, R.D., C.D.
Community Health Nutritionist
01/14/02

BISON RESTORATION:  RESTORING THE HEALTH OF THE HO-CHUNK NATION

Bison, commonly referred to as buffalo, once roamed freely throughout the continent of North America in herds too large to number.  Bison served as the Native peoples' primary source of food, clothing, and shelter.  However, the insurgence of explorers and settlers into the region in the 1800's signaled the near demise of the bison.

These vast herds were eventually hunted to near extinction by those whose interests were more monetary in nature.  As a result, the traditional ways of the Native people also went the way of the bison, much to the detriment of the peoples' health.

Almost two hundred years later, the Ho-Chunk Nation, formerly known as the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe, in an effort to combat the high rate of heart disease and diabetes among Tribal members, has dedicated itself to the restoration of the bison, and the restoration of the health of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Bison meat provides a highly nutritious, low-fat alternative to commercially processed, chemically altered meats.  The table below reflects how bison rates nutritionally when compared to other lean meats.

A low-fat diet promotes weight loss which has been associated with the prevention and/or postponement of heart disease, diabetes, and the complications associated with diabetes such as loss of vision, amputation, kidney & liver failure.  Bison serves as a low-fat meat alternative to beef, pork, and chicken, and in addition offers the consumer rich flavor, high iron content, and greater ease of digestibility.

Bison Prairie I, a working farm/ranch located in Muscoda, Wisconsin, is owned by the Ho-Chunk Nation and is home to the Bison Project.  One of the goals of the Bison Project is to provide nutritious bison meat, upon request, to Tribal members and programs as one way of promoting a more healthful and traditional diet amongst the Ho-Chunk Nation.  The following policy describes how the bison meat is distributed.

HO-CHUNK BISON MEAT DISTRIBUTION POLICY
(Based on available supply)

Priority One: Requests from individuals under doctors care in treating heart condition or diabetes

A: Five pounds per week (Qtr pound = one serving = 20 servings)
B:  Person accepting delivery must sign delivery receipt

Priority Two:  Requests from TAU (Tribal Aging Unit) for mealsites (Need 30-day notice to schedule slaughter)

Priority Three: Requests for Ho-Chunk Community or Program activities

Priority Four: Requests for Ho-Chunk family/cultural activities

All other requests will be considered when abundant supplies are available or as a special consideration.

Attached is a graph representing the distribution of bison meat from 1998-2001 to the four priority populations referred to in the above policy.  The numbers used to generate the graph are an approximation based on available data.

It is important to note that requests from Tribal members and programs are on the increase.  A recent survey of Elders, who have eaten bison served at mealsites, reflected a 90% approval rate.  Likewise, evaluations were completed by participants who attended various functions, such as the Fitness Initiative Bike Tour, Canoe Trip, and Wellness Dance, where bison was the main entrée, and they, too, gave bison high marks.

In closing, it is the hope of the Ho-Chunk Nation that this increasing acceptance of bison, once a traditional staple of the Native diet, will eventually translate into the improved health and well-being of its Tribal members.