Winnebago Tribal Council
(SBA) - The Winnebago Tribal Council has formally declared its opposition to the development of hyperscale data centers on or near the Winnebago Indian Reservation and in other areas where such projects could affect the Tribe, its citizens or residents.
In a declaration released Aug. 20, the Tribal Council cited concerns about the substantial amounts of water and electricity required to operate hyperscale data centers. The council said those demands could threaten important natural resources, increase energy costs, affect the reliability of the regional electrical system and require additional power generation.
The declaration emphasizes the cultural and spiritual importance of water to the Winnebago people. The Tribe, known in the Ho-Chunk language as Hōcąk Nisoc Haci, or “Ho-Chunk who dwell by the river,” identifies the Missouri River as central to its culture, identity and way of life.
The Winnebago Reservation sits above the Dakota Sandstone Aquifer and the Missouri River Alluvial Aquifer, which the declaration describes as essential groundwater resources that sustain the community. The council also noted that the Wakcéxi, or Waterspirit Clan, serves as the guardian of lakes, rivers and waterways.
“Water is not a commodity, but our living relative,” the council stated, noting that water is used for spiritual cleansing, prayer and protection. The declaration also cites the Tribe’s treaty rights to hunt, fish and gather, as well as its sovereign right under the Winters Doctrine to access enough water to meet the Tribe’s needs.
In addition to water usage, the council raised concerns about the electrical demands of hyperscale data centers and the possibility that increased power production could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. According to the declaration, those effects could contribute to rising temperatures and worsen health conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Tribal Council said it has a sovereign responsibility to protect the health, welfare, natural resources, cultural integrity and future of the Winnebago people.
The declaration states that the Tribe strongly opposes hyperscale data centers on or near the reservation, within ceded lands or treaty-protected areas, and in any other location where development could negatively affect the reservation, Tribal citizens or area residents.
The Winnebago Tribal Council’s full declaration follows.
WINNEBAGO TRIBAL COUNCIL HEREBY STRONGLY
OPPOSES HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS
WHEREAS the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Indian Tribe organized
Pursuant to Section 16 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), (25 U.S.C. § 5123) as amended by the Act of June 15, 1935, (49 Stat. 378), and
WHEREAS pursuant to Article III of the Winnebago Tribal Constitution, the governing body of the Tribe shall be the Tribal Council; and
WHEREAS pursuant to Article IV Section 1(c) of the Winnebago Tribal Constitution, and its inherent powers of self-government, the Tribal Council is vested with the power, inter alia, “To safeguard and promote the peace, safety, morals, and general welfare of the Tribe’, and
WHEREAS Ho-Chunk people originated at the Red Banks of the Great Lakes region
WHEREAS the Winnebago Tribe is known as Hōcąk Nisoc Haci in our language which translates to “Ho-chunk who dwell by the river” referring to the Missouri
WHEREAS the Missouri River is central to our identity, culture, and way of life
WHEREAS the Winnebago Reservation sits above the Dakota Sandstone Aquifer and the Missouri River Alluvial Aquifer, two essential groundwater resources that sustain our community
WHEREAS the Winnebago people carry the responsibility to care for the lands, waters, and resources
WHEREAS our Wakcéxi (Waterspirit) Clan is the guardian of lakes, rivers, and all waterways
WHEREAS water is used in our cultural practices for spiritual cleansing, prayer, and protection
WHEREAS water is not a commodity, but our living relative
WHEREAS we exercise our treaty rights to hunt, fish, and gather to continue our traditions and maintain our spiritual connection to the land and water
WHEREAS under the Winter’s Doctrine, the Winnebago Tribe has a sovereign right to access enough water to meet the needs of the tribe
WHEREAS hyperscale data centers place substantial demands on water and energy
WHEREAS immense electrical demands of hyperscale data centers raise concerns regarding regional energy reliability, increased costs for consumers, and the expansion of energy generation necessary to meet new demand
WHEREAS increased power production may worsen greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution contributing to rising temperatures and aggravating public health conditions, including respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
WHEREAS the Winnebago Tribe has a sovereign obligation to protect the health, welfare, natural resources, cultural integrity, and future of the Winnebago people
NOW THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, that the Tribal Council of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska hereby strongly opposes the development of hyperscale data centers on and/or near the Winnebago Indian Reservation and opposes such development within ceded lands, Treaty-protected areas, or any other locations where such development may adversely affect the Winnebago Indian Reservation or its Tribal citizens and residents.
