GALLERY: Meet our 2026 Scholarship recipients!
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients! đź“š
Each academic year the Ho-Chunk, Inc. Scholarship funds full-time undergraduate and graduate college students that are degree-seeking, while the Leisa Guerrero Memorial Scholarship supports trade and vocational students who are building their skills and careers. Eligibility for these scholarships is limited to enrolled members and direct descendants of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
Tyler Free-LaMere
Tyler Free-LaMere, Hucpi (Good Bear), was awarded $3,000 for this academic year. An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and a descendent of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, they are currently pursuing a degree in Native American studies with a minor in social media marketing. Tyler is passionate about culture preservation, language revitalization and strengthening Indigenous representation in media, arts and entertainment. The scholarship came at a pivotal time in Tyler’s educational journey. As a student raised by a single mother while balancing responsibilities to their family and elders, they were facing the possibility of taking out loans to complete their final year of college. The award not only eased that burden but also helped them stay on track toward their goal of graduating debt-free and pursuing a master’s degree. Through their studies and experiences, Tyler has become increasingly focused on how Indigenous nations can establish and strengthen sovereignty within creative and media industries. They hope to help develop frameworks and policies that support Indigenous communities in telling their own stories and shaping how Native peoples are represented. Fluent in six languages at varying levels, including three Indigenous languages, Tyler is dedicated to ensuring Indigenous voices, cultures and perspectives continue to thrive for future generations.
Melaki George
Melaki George was awarded $3,000 for this academic year to support his studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he is a junior pursuing a degree in finance and agribusiness. An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Melaki is committed to using his education to create opportunities for himself, his family and his community. For Melaki, receiving this scholarship means more than financial assistance. The support helps cover educational expenses such as books and supplies while also easing the financial burden of everyday necessities, allowing him to focus on his academic goals and future success. Melaki plans to graduate with his degrees, continue his education by pursuing a master’s degree, support his family and break generational cycles. He hopes to use his education and experiences to create positive change and opportunities within his community, carrying forward the work of those who have helped pave the way before him and contributing to a stronger future for the next generation.
Sae Doxey
Sae Doxey, Ha Me Ha Mani Winga (Walks Against the Wind), was awarded $3,000 for the academic year to support her studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she’s in her fourth year pursuing a degree in graphic design. An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and a descendant of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, Sae is passionate about using design to elevate Native voices and strengthen Indigenous communities. For Sae, receiving this scholarship has lifted a financial burden, allowing her to focus more fully on her education and growth as a young creative professional. Her long-term goal is to become an Indigenous designer who creates meaningful impact through design, mentorship, project management and community development. Sae hopes to one day teach and inspire the next generation of Native designers while offering creative services to Native entrepreneurs and businesses. She is especially passionate about supporting Indigenous artists and designers and believes that Native communities already have an abundance of creative talent capable of telling their own stories and building strong, visually connected communities.
Vinetta Snow
Vinetta Snow was awarded $1,500 through the Leisa Guerrero Memorial Scholarship to support her education journey at Little Priest Tribal College, where she is in her third year pursuing a degree in teacher education. An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Vinetta is committed to becoming an educator who creates a positive impact on future generations. For Vinetta, receiving this scholarship is both a blessing and an encouragement as she works toward earning her degree. The support serves as a reminder that others believe in her potential and motivates her to continue working hard to achieve her goals. After completing her teacher certification, she plans to pursue a master’s degree to further expand her impact in the classroom and beyond. Vinetta is already giving back to her community through her work at St. Augustine’s Indian Mission, where she serves as the HōCąk Language & Culture Teacher. She hopes to continue teaching, mentoring youth and inspiring students to pursue their education and reach their full potential. Passionate about language revitalization, she recently guided a group of fourth through eighth grade students in performing “Silent Night” in HōCąk during a Christmas program, helping share and preserve the language with the next generation.
Isaiah St Cyr
Isaiah St Cyr was awarded $1,500 through the Leisa Guerrero Memorial Scholarship to support his final year at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), where he is pursuing a degree in museum studies. An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Isaiah is committed to using storytelling, education and the arts to create opportunities for Native communities. As both a student and a parent, Isaiah shared that this scholarship helps ease financial pressures, allowing him to focus on completing his degree and building toward his future goals. After graduation, he plans to continue pursuing acting and filmmaking opportunities while growing NOTA, LLC, the Native production company he co-founded. Through NOTA, Isaiah hopes to bring programs focused on acting, filmmaking, leadership and career development back to the Winnebago community, helping Native youth build confidence, develop new skills and explore creative career paths. His long-term goal is to tell Native stories, increase Native representation in the entertainment industry and create opportunities for future generations. Outside of school and work, Isaiah enjoys early mornings at the gym with his daughter, a routine that has become one of their favorite ways to spend time together.
Tyresha Romero
Tyresha Romero was awarded $3,500 through the Ho-Chunk, Inc. Scholarship Program for this academic year. She’s currently pursuing a master’s in business administration leadership at Wayne State College. An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and a first-generation college student, Tyresha is committed to enhancing her leadership skills and creating meaningful impact within her community. Receiving this scholarship has provided both encouragement and financial support, motivating her to continue working toward her education goals. Tyresha hopes to continue serving the Winnebago Tribe and is passionate about seeing more Tribal members in leadership positions. Her long-term goal is to use her voice to advocate for Native communities at the tribal, state and federal levels.
Qiara Bass
Qiara Bass, Mą̄xį Eja Here Wįga, was awarded $3,000 for this academic year to support her educational journey at Nebraska Indian Community College, where she is a senior pursuing a degree in business administration and tribal nation building. An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Qiara will use her education to inspire Native communities through service, leadership and tribal nation-building. As a full-time employee, full-time student and mother of five, Qiara shared that this scholarship provides “a little more room to breathe” as she works toward completing her degree. The support and encouragement it offers help her stay focused on reaching graduation and achieving the goals she has set for herself and her family. Qiara hopes to use her lived experiences and education to serve Native families, strengthen tribal programs and support tribal sovereignty through organizations such as Ho-Chunk, Inc. or the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Her goal is to help create opportunities that lead to a strong, self-sustaining future for the Winnebago people and future generations. She recently celebrated five years of sobriety and enjoys spending her free time creating memories and finding new adventures with her family.
