The Department of Justice is responsible for providing legal services to the Nation and coordinating the activities of the other Divisions within the Department. The Department of Justice consists of six (6) divisions: the legal services, Contracts, Law Enforcement, Surveillance, Compliance, and Election Board.
MISSION
The mission is set forth by the Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature in the Department of Justice Establishment and Organization Act of 2001:
The Department of Justice (“Department”), as part of the Executive Branch, is committed to defending the sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk Nation (“Nation”) and representing the Nation on those matters that concern the Nation’s interests and welfare. The Department will serve the Nation in Tribal, State and Federal forums.
Department of Justice Legal Representation
The Department of Justice serves as legal counsel to the Ho-Chunk Nation. The collective rights of tribal members are served by this Department through defending the sovereignty of the Nation, protecting the laws of the Nation, prosecuting violations to these laws, providing legal aid to all branches of the Nation, and defending the Nation in Tribal, State and Federal courts on those matters that concern the Nation’s interests and welfare.
The Attorney General and all Department of Justice staff are unable to provide individual legal advice to private tribal members. If a private Ho-Chunk Nation tribal member is in need of legal assistance, you may contact Judicare at (800) 472-1638 or the Wisconsin State Bar Legal Aid Program at (800) 543-2625 or a private attorney.
Staff
During this COVID pandemic, the Department of Justice consists of the Attorney General, seven (7) in-house Attorneys, one (1) Paralegal, one (1) Contract Administrator, and one (1) Executive Admin.
STAFF
Attorney General:
Scott P. Seifert
Senior Tribal Counsel:
Wendi A. Huling
Amanda L. WhiteEagle
Tribal Counsel:
Erik S. Shircel
Angelia Naquayouma
Tribal Attorneys:
Michelle M. Greendeer-Rave
Nicholas Layland
Elysia Rodriguez
Paralegal:
Sue Thompson
Contract Administrators:
Patricia Hagen
Executive Administrator:
Marissa Dickey
Contact
Ho-Chunk Nation
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 667
W9814 Airport Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: 715-284-3170
Fax: 715-284-7851
Email: DOJhotline@ho-chunk.com
ATTORNEY GENERAL CORNER
The Ho-Chunk Nation has named Scott Seifert as the Attorney General and is currently within the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Justice.
Scott Seifert was born and raised in central Florida and is a member of the Comanche Nation. He played basketball and graduated from Saint Leo University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. Scott then graduated from Michigan State College of Law in 2013 with a Juris Doctorate and a specialization certificate in Indigenous Law.
After graduation, he was employed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney and Chief Tribal Prosecutor of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe. As a prosecutor, Scott was successful in the courtroom, winning two jury trial victories for the murder of Native Americans. He was also a member of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women task force for the state of Montana where they attempted to address the problem of girls being trafficked from reservations.
He is currently working towards a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Montana and has one son named Scott Seifert, III, age 2. He enjoys basketball, weightlifting, and training his German Shorthaired Pointer named Pantheon.
Compliance Division
The Compliance Division is responsible for the administration of the Nation’s Drug, Alcohol and Controlled Substance Policy, investigating whistleblowers and personnel-related matters, conducting employee and vendor background investigations related to gaming licensing, and many other duties.
Compliance Director: Joe Buse
Email: Joe.Buse@ho-chunk.com
Contact Information
Ho-Chunk Nation
Compliance Division
P.O. Box 667
W9814 Airport Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: 715-284-3170
Contract Division
The Contract Division maintains the contract database and reviews all potential contracts to protect the Nation and its assets when entering into new legal agreements.
Contract Administrator: Patricia Hagen
Email: Patricia.Hagen@ho-chunk.com
Contact Information
Ho-Chunk Nation
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 667
W9814 Airport Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: 715-284-3170
Fax: 715-284-7851
Election Board
The Ho-Chunk Nation is mandated by the Constitution of the Ho-Chunk Nation to hold General, Special and Constitutional Elections. The Election Board is comprised of twelve (12) Delegates and twelve (12) Alternates and each representing their respective District. The Election Board meets on an as need basis such as: when the Constitution requires them to conduct an election, they are named as defendants or plaintiffs in a lawsuit, discuss revisions to the applicable laws governing elections, certify elections and to discuss personnel matters that affect the Election Board and its office staff. The Election Board is vital to the Ho-Chunk Nation’s membership.
Due to the pandemic continuing, the Election Board and the Office Administrator continues to manage the office with limited access to the public and by appointment only. The Election Board remains open to conducting services through telephone and email communications.
Election Board Chairperson: Myrna Littlewolf
Election Board Administrator: Melissa Olvera
Contact Information
Ho-Chunk Nation Election Board
W8801 Mission Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: 715-284-8900
Fax: 715-284-8600
Cell: 715-299-6104
Email: election.board@ho-chunk.com
Surveillance Division
The Surveillance Division’s mission is to protect the assets of the Ho-Chunk Nation. This mission is accomplished through diligent observation of the activities at the Ho-Chunk Nation gaming facilities through observing, recording, reporting and conducting investigations as directed.
Contact Information
Ho-Chunk Gaming – Black River Falls and Tomah Facilities
W9010 Highway 54
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Director: Stuart Rave
Phone: 715-284-9098
Email: Stuart.Rave@ho-chunk.com
Ho-Chunk Gaming – Wisconsin Dells Facility
S3214 County Hwy BD
Baraboo, WI 53913
Director: Todd Burbey
Phone: 608-356-6210
Email: Todd.Burbey@ho-chunk.com
Ho-Chunk Gaming – Nekoosa Facility
949 County Road G
Nekoosa, WI 54457
Director: Sharon Whitehead
Phone: 715-886-4560
Email: Sharon.Whitehead@ho-chunk.com
Ho-Chunk Gaming – Wittenberg Facility
N7198 US Highway 45
Wittenberg, WI 54499
Director: Ian Littlejohn
Phone: 715-253-4400
Email: Ian.Littlejohn@ho-chunk.com
Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison Facility
4002 Evan Acres Road
Madison, WI 53718
Director: Robert Heimlich (Interim)
Phone: 608-223-9576
Email: Robert.Heimlich@ho-chunk.com
Ho-Chunk Nation Police Department
The Ho-Chunk Nation Police Department’s mission is to protect the assets and people of the Ho-Chunk Nation and its surrounding communities. This mission is accomplished through diligent observation of activities within the communities of the Ho-Chunk Nation, at the Ho-Chunk Nation gaming facilities and property/lands within the jurisdiction of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Police Chief: Earl Lemieux
Police Administrator: CaraLee Murphy
Contact Information
Ho-Chunk Nation
Police Department
W9598 Hwy. 54
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: 715-284-2658
Fax: 715-284-3056
Email: Earl.Lemieux@ho-chunk.com
If there is an EMERGENCY, please call 911
RESOURCES
- Ho-Chunk Nation Executive Branch
- https://ho-chunknation.com/government/executive-branch/
- Ho-Chunk Nation Judiciary Branch
- https://ho-chunknation.com/government/judicial-branch/
- Ho-Chunk Nation Laws
- https://ho-chunknation.com/government/legislative-branch/ho-chunk-nation-laws/
- Ho-Chunk Nation Legislative Branch
- https://ho-chunknation.com/government/legislative-branch/
- Ho-Chunk Nation
- Request Form
- Wisconsin Judicare Inc.
- http://www.judicare.org/
- Wisconsin Power of Attorney Website
- https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/advdirectives/adformspoa.htm
- Wisconsin Bar Association Lawyer Referral Program
- https://www.wisbar.org/forpublic/ineedalawyer/pages/lris.aspx
- Wisconsin Court System
- https://www.wicourts.gov/