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Waunakee to cover $9,000 shortfall for Ho‑Chunk Nation traveling exhibit after federal grant suspension
Summary
With a federal suspension of Humanities grant funding, the village authorized up to $9,000 from fund balance to complete a Ho‑Chunk Nation traveling museum exhibit that staff said is roughly 95% complete; if Wisconsin Humanities restores the award the village will accept and use funds to reimburse itself.
The Village Board authorized village staff to expend up to $9,000 from undesignated fund balance to finish a traveling exhibit created with the Ho‑Chunk Nation after the Wisconsin Humanities grant that was to match the village’s contribution was suspended by the federal funding pause.
Village Administrator Todd (village administrator) told trustees the project — an exhibit to be hosted initially at the Waunakee Library, shared with other Dane County libraries and ultimately gifted to the Ho‑Chunk Nation for broader use — is effectively complete and in final production. Staff described the project as roughly 95% complete, with printing for the first banners under way.
Why it matters: Board members said the exhibit is an educational and relationship‑building project that documents local Native history and strengthens ties between Waunakee and Ho‑Chunk Nation representatives. Trustees emphasized that the village’s commitment to the partnership does not hinge on the grant funding.
Staff and trustees explained the funding situation. Todd and staff said Wisconsin Humanities had awarded a $9,000 matching grant but that the federal suspension affecting the Humanities Council put that award in jeopardy; staff estimated that approximately $6,400–$6,700 of the $9,000 award remained unaccounted for in the village’s budget at the time of discussion. The motion approved by the board authorized staff to expend up to $9,000 to cover items originally intended to be paid by the grant, without the expectation that those dollars will be reimbursed if the grant remains suspended.
Trustee Chris Zellner, who led much of the village’s work on the Ho‑Chunk project, moved the authorization; trustees including Erin and Sam spoke in support. Several trustees noted the project’s educational value, with Trustee Sam Kaufman referencing state school requirements (Act 31) as a reason community education about Native tribes matters.
The board approved the expenditure by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Village staff said if Wisconsin Humanities later restores the award and the village receives the grant funds, the village will accept the grant and reimburse its fund balance for the expenditures made.
