Wisconsin's tribal nations state their priorities for 2025
This report is in collaboration with ICT's partners at PBS Wisconsin.
Erica AyisiPBS Wisconsin + ICT
MADISON, Wisconsin — Tribal sovereignty, education, environmental threats and public health were just some of the issues raised in the annual State of the Tribes address on March 18 at the Wisconsin State Capitol.The speech to the full Wisconsin Legislature was given on behalf of the state's 11 federally recognized tribes by Chairman Thomas Fowler of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin.
'My grandparents, great-grandparents and ancestors knew that a positive relationship between tribes and the state and federal governments could only strengthen our communities,' Fowler told lawmakers.The address brought into sharp focus the concerns of life and land, health, and the future for tribes across Wisconsin, reminding the audience that fully realizing tribal sovereignty and self-governance is possible by working with governments and administrations.
Tribal nations seek common-sense policy reforms that strengthen our ability to govern, and protect our own people, and preserve our own cultures, and control our own lands and resources within our own boundaries,' he said, 'because tribes are not children of the government.'Here are some highlights of the speech.
EducationAmong the federal government's treaty and trust responsibilities to tribes are education services.He said Native students on tribal lands have unique challenges, and asked for more support for the state's two reservation-based colleges, the College of Menominee Nation and the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University.The schools offer options for students, such as those from his tribe, for higher education, he said.'St. Croix is in an educational desert, and our kids won't all find success moving so far from home, away from their support systems and culture,' Fowler said.
Fowler also urged passage of bills in the Assembly and state Senate that would permit Native students to wear traditional regalia with feathers and beads during public school ceremonies.'We ask that this body supports legislation that serves our students like AB 98/SB 85, so that school boards and charter schools don't prohibit American Indian students from wearing traditional regalia at a graduation ceremony,' Fowler said.Apache Danforth, a member of the Oneida Nation who attended the State of the Tribes address, applauded the legislation, saying it's time for Wisconsin to follow the lead of other states.'Many are the first ones graduating from high school in their family, so wearing the traditional regalia really honors that tradition of accomplishment,' she said.
Environmental issuesOn the environment, Fowler called for a unified voice between the state and the tribes over the transport of oil and gas through their lands.'Tribes have never been silent on their concern of the environmental hazards that come with pipelines,' he said. 'Our lands and waterways are at risk, putting our food, water, medicine, cultural practices, at risk.'Fowler also spoke to environmental protection, including the need to address climate change.Jonas Hill, Oneida, who also watched the speech from the chambers, said the message was impactful.'Climate change is real. We're seeing the effects,' Hill said. 'Maple season is in full effect right now, and the sap is running slow … because we haven't had a real hard winter hit us for some time. The wildlife and trees all depend on the environment.'
Mental health servicesFowler's address also touched on many difficult issues, including opioid addiction in Wisconsin's Native communities. As one prescription, he called for the legalization of medical marijuana.'We need medical marijuana for chronic pain management, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress and addiction,' said Fowler. 'Addiction has left no family untouched in Indian Country.'For her part, Danforth said such legislation should proceed with caution.'I really encourage them to think about our kids when they're looking at legislation and legalizing cannabis in our state, and how they're protecting our children from abusing and using and having access to cannabis,' she said.
Missing and murdered peopleFowler called Missing and Murdered Indigenous People a public health crisis.'This is too common for our people and it must stop,' he said.Danielle DeLong, vice president of the Ho-Chunk Nation, echoed the call and beseeched the state task force on the missing and murdered to focus its attention.'There are so many disproportionate numbers to our missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, and that task force needs to be prioritized with funding,' DeLong said.
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