FORT MCCOY, Wis. — The Ho-Chunk Nation is calling on it’s 7,800 members to help Afghan refugees headed to Fort McCoy with clothing donations in preparation for Wisconsin’s harsh winters.
Fort McCoy sits on traditionally Ho-Chunk territory and it’s this connection along with the group’s U.S. military veterans that got them involved.
“We were forcibly removed from our traditional territory back in the days of the treaties so we know what that feels like,” said Ho-Chunk Nation’s Public Relations Officer Ryan Greendeer.”
Veterans in the group were concerned that Afghan people who assisted U.S. forces would be displaced so they wanted to make sure they felt welcome.
The plan is to collect fall and winter clothing, personal hygiene products, blankets and school supplies to be redistributed among the thousands of incoming refugees.
“Hospitality we like to say started with us,” said Greendeer. “As long as there are Afghan refugees as long as there are people in our communities that are in need we intend to make sure they’re kept warm.”
The Ho-Chunk Nation is also partnering with The Kindle Project seeking donations for the group’s Afghanistan Fund which will provide support to at-risk artists and women.
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