Frequently Asked Questions about SweetGrass Trading Company

What is SweetGrass Trading Company?

We are an online store that offers Native American food, gifts and health and beauty products. We are a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Trading Group, a division of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. We are solely owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Where are you located?

We are located on the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska.

What do you do?

We partner with Tribes and Tribal-affiliated companies all over the United States to make Native American products available to all. We begin by selecting the best products from Native American artisans and makers. We purchase products from the artisans in bulk, and then pass the love on to you by making the items available on our website. This helps makers tap into a wider audience and helps you easily find Native American products. This process not only supports artisans and consumers, but contributes to economic development and food sovereignty to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

We also fund the Native Scholarship program. As part of this program, each year $1,000 is awarded to a Native student attending, or planning to attend, a 2 or 4-year college, community college or technical college.

Can I sign up for a wholesale account?

Yes, and becoming part of our wholesale network is easy. Visit https://sweetgrasstrad.wpengine.com/wholesale-log-in-page/ and fill out the form on the right. We will contact you once you’re approved and help you get started.

Why do you sell sage?

We understand that sage is a medicine and is traditionally gifted. We know that many Native people do not condone the selling of sage, while others do not have an opinion on the matter. According to WeRNative.org, “Traditionally, healers were gifted or harvested these medicines so they did not have to buy them. In this society now, this is not practiced as much and for some people it’s not an option, especially if you live in a city.”

One of the goals of SweetGrass Trading Co., is making these products accessible to all. Not everyone has access to these products, including sage. Our sage is ethically grown, harvested and hand-tied in Southern California, and when you buy from us, you are supporting our Tribe and the Tribes we work with.

Are all of your products made by Natives?

In keeping with our mission of offering fine Native American food and gifts while supporting other Tribal businesses, most of our products are truly made by Native American entrepreneurs. Some of our other products are crafted by artisans we feel are in harmony with nature or Native American culture.

In order to assist you make the most informed decision, we have devised logos to help you quickly identify which products are Authentic Native American made and which are Authorized. 

 

 

 

 

 

Authentic- Any food or product that earns the Authentic seal must be made/produced/distributed by an officially recognized Native American business or individual Tribal member.

Authorized- To earn the SweetGrass Authorized seal, the food or product must deemed to be in harmony with the earth and sky, including at least one of the following:

  • Represents Native American culture in a positive manner
  • Is made with all-natural products
  • Is certified organic

If you have ideas or suggestions about new, authentic Native American products we should offer, please reach out to us. We’re always interested in hearing from you and sharing ideas.

How can I contact you?

You can contact us via phone Toll-Free at (877) 846-6805 or (402) 878-2300. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST. You can also email questions to SweetGrass@sweetgrasstradingco.com. Our address is 701 Buffalo Trail Winnebago, NE 68071.

You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

Are you looking for new products?

We are always looking to expand our product line to include more authentic Native American products. Reach out to us with any ideas or suggestions you may have. 

How can I stay in touch with you?

Sign up to receive monthly emails and promotions through our newsletter. Please fill out the form at the bottom of the webpage at https://sweetgrasstrad.wpengine.com/.