About the Department of Labor
The Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Labor is committed to supporting a sustainable workforce through employment, training, workforce development, safety, and career advancement opportunities for Ho-Chunk tribal members, employees, and communities.
Mission Statement
“The Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Labor will provide job skills training opportunities for Ho-Chunk members and employees to promote a sustainable workforce.”
P. L. 102-477 Federal Program (477)
Federally-funded program that provides employment and training services designed to reduce unemployment, increase career opportunities, and support participants in overcoming barriers to long-term employment and advancement.
Tribal Workforce Development (TWD)
Division that assists tribal members with obtaining, maintaining, and advancing in employment by identifying barriers and providing training opportunities, career services, supportive services, continuing education units, and referrals.
Elder Workforce Division (EWD)
Supports Ho-Chunk elders aged 62+ through meaningful work opportunities in safe and respectful environments that prioritize health, well-being, and community involvement.
Native American Preference in Contracting (NAP)
Supports employment and economic opportunities for Native American-owned businesses and Native workers by promoting compliance with Native preference policies in contracting and workforce participation.
Residential Construction Inspection (RCI)
Provides free inspection services for one- and two-family dwellings built on Ho-Chunk Nation lands and establishes construction and inspection standards to protect the safety of tribal members.
Occupational Safety & Health (OSH)
Promotes safe and healthy workplaces through inspections, training, compliance assistance, and enforcement of applicable tribal and federal safety standards.
Emergency Management (EM)
Coordinates emergency preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery efforts while fostering partnerships with tribal, county, state, and federal agencies.
P. L. 102-477 Federal Program (477)
Eligibility
To be eligible for services through the P.L. 102-477 Federal Program, applicants must:
- Live within the program’s 39-county Wisconsin service area
- Be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or a direct descendant able to provide required documentation
Applicants must also meet at least one of the following:
- Be unemployed
- Need assistance advancing in employment
- Need retraining due to layoff or limited employment opportunities
- Have identifiable barriers affecting long-term employment success
- Be a youth participant working toward a High School Diploma, GED, or HSED
Service Area
Our program has a 39-county service area in Wisconsin.
- Adams
- Buffalo
- Chippewa
- Clark
- Crawford
- Columbia
- Dane
- Dodge
- Dunn
- Eau Claire
- Fond du Lac
- Grant
- Green
- Green Lake
- Iowa
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Juneau
- La Crosse
- Lafayette
- Lincoln
- Marathon
- Marinette
- Marquette
- Monroe
- Pierce
- Pepin
- Price
- Richland
- Rock
- Sauk
- Shawano
- Croix
- Taylor
- Trempealeau
- Vernon
- Walworth
- Waushara
- Wood
Are you located outside of our service area?
Even if you currently live outside of our 39-county service area, we may still be able to help connect you with resources or programs in your area. If you are planning to relocate into our service area, you may also qualify for assistance.
Are You Ready to Apply?
- Individuals interested in services through the P.L. 102-477 Federal Program may stop by the office
- Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM–4:30 PM to speak with staff and begin the intake process.
- For individuals unable to travel to the office, staff may also be able to schedule:
- Prescheduled outreach appointments in your area
- Virtual intake appointments through WebEx
Appointments are encouraged to help ensure staff availability.
What to Bring to Your Intake
- Tribal ID or CDIB
- If first descendant, please bring:
- Birth Certificate and Tribal ID or CDIB of enrolled parent
- If first descendant, please bring:
- 2nd Form of ID
- Driver's license, state ID, Social Security Card, etc.
- Proof of Address
- Only needed if your address is different than what is listed on your ID
- DD-214 (if applicable)
- High School Diploma, GED, or HSED documentation
- If you do not have it yet, we can help you attain it!
- Resume (if available)
- Don’t have a resume yet? Staff can help you create one!
Programs Available within 477
Supportive Services (SS)
Employment-related assistance intended to help remove barriers to work, training, and career advancement.
Entrepreneurial Endeavors (EE)
Support for aspiring entrepreneurs through assistance with approved business-related costs such as licenses, permits, insurance, fees, and professional development.
Adult Vocational Exploration (AVE)
Hands-on work experience and career exploration opportunities for adults seeking training, skills development, or workforce experience.
Youth Vocation Exploration (YVE)
Provides youth ages 14–21 who have not yet graduated high school with work experience, career readiness, and workforce training opportunities.
Apprenticeship / Internship (A/I)
Structured workforce training opportunities intended to support career development, certification pathways, and programs, especially those with required training hours.
Classroom Training (CRT)
Approved classroom training, certificates, workshops, and educational opportunities aligned with career goals.
Contact the 477 Federal Program
Office Information
Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Labor
P.L. 102-477 Federal Program
P.O. Box 667
W9814 Airport Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: (715) 284-5877
Email: 477@ho-chunk.com
Facebook: facebook.com/HCN477
Cora Redbird
Federal Programs Director
📞 715-284-9343 ext. 11139
✉️ Cora.Redbird@ho-chunk.com
Trisha Carriaga
Case Manager
📞 715-284-9343 ext. 11274
✉️ Trisha.Carriaga@ho-chunk.com
Skylar Whitegull
Case Manager
📞 715-284-9343 ext. 11149
✉️ Skylar.Whitegull@ho-chunk.com
Tyson Bird
Case Manager
📞 715-284-9343 ext. 11154
✉️ Tyson.Bird@ho-chunk.com
Tribal Workforce Development (TWD)
Tribal Workforce Development’s mission is to assist the Nation in recruitment and retention, success planning, training and development programs for tribal members.
Eligibility
- Must be enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe: TWD will adhere to the Ho-Chunk & Native American Preference referenced in the ERA.
- Must be at least 14 years of age or older.
- Must register with the Ho-Chunk Nation 477 program if unemployed.
- Must register with the Ho-Chunk Nation TWD program.
- Must provide any documentation that may be requested by TWD to determine eligibility for the program or services.
- Must exhaust all other avenues of services prior to coming to TWD and bring copies of all denial letters.
Service Area
We work with tribal members throughout Wisconsin and outside of Wisconsin.
What you need to bring to your intake
- Tribal ID or CDIB
- Driver’s License or State ID
- Letter of Hire (if recently hired)
- Two week work schedule
- Letter of Attire
- Any certifications/diplomas/degrees you have obtained
Supportive Services
We offer supportive services to clients who have recently accepted an offer of employment and will be starting work shortly or had just started work. These services cannot be provided once a client has received their first full paycheck or have taken another placement with no gap in paychecks.
Note: Supportive Services will only be taken care of on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. No exceptions.
Training Assistance
Assistance to obtain training or classes that are necessary to improve the employability or to help maintain employment or advancement may be available through TWD. Note, any travel requests must be made at least 10 days in advance of the training being requested, this follows Advance Travel requirements. Any trainings that are requested in less than 10 days will not be approved.
Educational Requests
TWD can assist clients in attaining a Technical Diploma – this is a one year program, any programs that are 2 years or more must go through the Ho-Chunk Nation Higher Education Division.
Clients must provide the required documentation:
- Submit a copy of the Program Specific Acceptance Letter
- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Submit a billing statement from the school
- Submit a class schedule from the school
- Must have the School Name, Student’s Name, # of credits and academic term on the schedule
- Must submit an unofficial transcript at the end of each semester and it must be stamped by the Registrar to be accepted.
Continuing Education Units – CEU’s
Assistance for CEU’s may be provided if it pertains to the client’s employment where it is needed to either (1) maintain employment or (2) provide an opportunity for advancement in current employment.
- A letter will be required from the employer stating that these CEU’s are required to either maintain current employment or that it will provide the opportunity for advancement to another higher paying position.
The following requests for assistance will not be considered
- Car Insurance
- Lunch Assistance
- Relocation Assistance
- Housing Assistance
- Car repairs
Staff
Leland Bird
Tribal Workforce Development Manager
Leland.Bird@ho-chunk.com
Stormy Perry
Tribal Workforce Development Case Manager
Stormy.Perry@ho-chunk.com
Daniel Youngthunder
Tribal Workforce Development Case Manager
✉️ Daniel.Youngthunder@ho-chunk.com
All emails can be directed to:
✉️ twd@ho-chunk.com
Phone calls can be directed to the Department of Labor office:
📞 (715) 284-5877
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TribalWorkforceTrainingDevelopment/
Safety Divison
The purpose and mission of the Division of Safety has four distinct objectives:
- To save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of every man and woman employed by the Ho-Chunk Nation.
- To maintain a healthy and safe workplace through compliance with current tribal, state and federal standards, regulations, and codes.
- The department exercises its compliance efforts through:
- Safety inspections and audits of all Nation facilities and workplaces.
- Oversight and training in areas of workplace safety and public safety.
- Investigation of employee and tribal member complaints and issues as they relate to occupational safety and health.
- Conduct compliance training as requested.
- Reduce accidents rates and workers’ compensation costs within the Ho-Chunk Nation.
- Reduce and control general liability costs and litigation for patron/public injuries sustained on Nation Properties.
Occupational Safety and Health
The goal of the Occupational Safety and Health Section is to maintain a healthy and safe work environment through compliance with current tribal, state and federal standards, regulations, and codes. It exercises compliance efforts through:
- Safety inspections and audits of all Nation facilities and workplaces.
- Investigation of employee complaints and issues.
- Conducts training as requested for compliance with all state and federal mandated safety training.
- Reduce and control general liability costs and litigation for patron/public injuries sustained on Nation Properties.
Small Business Assistance and Training
Division of Safety offers training and compliance information on Federal OSHA and State of Wisconsin Safety requirements free of cost to members of the Ho-Chunk Nation for start-up or established small business ventures.
Emergency Management
The goal of the Office of Emergency Management is to ensure the Ho-Chunk Nation prepares for and responds appropriately to events of natural or manmade disaster, and to facilitate and foster a working relationship and partnership between the Ho-Chunk Nation and the multitude of county and state agencies that provide services to the Nation’s Tribal members and properties. The Emergency Management Coordinator also provides staff administration for the All-Hazards Mitigation Plan, Emergency Response Plan and associated Emergency Support Functions.
Staff
Emergency Management Coordinator
Kevin B. Scholze
Occupational Safety and Health Officer
Jeff Skinner
Occupational Safety and Health Officer
Greg Bird
Elder Community Work Program
The Elder Community Work Program shall safeguard the interest of the Nation’s most valuable resource: Ho-Chunk elders. The elder participants will be treated with utmost respect in reasonable positions they desire at safe work environments, keeping in mind Ho-Chunk elders’ health and well-being.
Participant Eligibility Requirements
- Enrolled Hocak tribal member
- 62 years or older
- Unemployed
- Able to work up to 20 hours/week
- Able to commit to the job up to 12 months
Participants are placed in jobs according to their individual interests. Elders can be placed into one of the four available areas:
- Hocak Language, Culture and Traditions
- Teaching arts and crafts
- Personal Care Providers for Elite Elders and Disabled Veterans
- Elders Connecting with Youth
Additional training will be provided as needed and available.
For more information, contact the Department of Labor at (715) 284-5877