Politics of Food: Lance Morgan, Winnebago Tribe Member, Focuses on a "Third Way" Economic Model
Lance Morgan , the keynote speaker on October 7, 2010 during Feeding America's Central Region food bank conference in Omaha, outlined the economic development success on the Winnebago reservation. He stressed how Ho-Chunk Inc. and other businesses on the reservation transformed a community with 65% unemployment and widespread alcoholism into a "rural economic miracle." Morgan described how Ho-Chunk and other enterprises have not only contributed significantly to tribal programs, but offer a different approach to economic development, such as through it's low loan rates for rez cars and houses. The low rates have driven out predatory lenders for cars, a loan policy which has devastated many low income workers. This approach provided borrowers with the means to maintain jobs and "changed the landscape and what's possible in our world," Morgan stated. "It changed the whole dynamic within our community. Lance Morgan, speaking at Feedin...