Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Cooke met with Ho-Chunk Nation members and attended the Nation’s Labor Day Powwow during a campaign visit in September.

     Former Ho-Chunk Nation Legislator Rodney Rave joined her for a meet and greet at the District One Community Center, where he raised the need for federal housing assistance.

     “We take care of our people. We take care of our veterans, our elders, we provide a lot of services that try to keep our membership healthy,” Rave said. “But that money can only go so far. We need assistance from HUD to house our people also.”

     HUD is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its Indian Housing Block Grant program provides funding that tribes can use for affordable housing, including construction, repairs and housing services.

     Rave said cuts to HUD funding and services have affected the Nation’s ability to build homes. He called restoring that funding “one of the top things we need right now” and said he hopes Cooke will advocate for it if elected.

     Cooke has attended the Labor Day Powwow for several years now. During the visit, she said she wanted to learn more about the Nation’s housing needs and spoke about protecting tribal sovereignty and gaming rights.

     “I will protect Tribal sovereignty & gaming rights, ensure that federal dollars the Ho-Chunk Nation is promised are delivered and expand resources from HUD for housing,” Cooke said.

     Cooke is running against Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District seat in the Nov. 3 election.