%-CAPTION
TEST.
%-CAPTION
TEST
FOR STATE OF
THE
%-TRIBES,
THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY
22,
%-2024.
%-GOOD
MORNING
AND
WELCOME TO
THE%-STATE OF
THE
TRIBES
ADDRESS
FOR
%-THURSDAY, FEBRUARY
22,
2024.
%-THIS ADDRESS
HAS
NOW
BEEN
GOING
%-ON
FOR
NEARLY
20
YEARS AND I
%-WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU,
OR
%-MIGWETCH,
%-úSTATE OF
THE
TRIBES
ADDRESS
FOR
%-úFEBRUARY
22,
2024.
%
-THIS IS
A
TEST OF THE
CAPTIONING
%-SYSTEM FOR
THE STATE OF
THE
%-TRIBES
ADDRESS
FOR
FEBRUARY
%-2022,
2024.
%-(Gavel Strikes).
%- >> WILL THE MEMBERS
AND
VISITORS
%-PLEASE
TAKE
YOUR
SEATS.
%-WILL THE
MEMBERS
AND
VISITORS%-PLEASE
TAKE
YOUR
SEATS.
%-WILL THE
MEMBERS
AND
VISITORS
%-PLEASE
RISE.
%-THE PRAYER
TODAY WILL
BE
OFFERED%-BY
THE
EUGENE
SHAUN,
SR.,
TRIBAL
%-ELDER OF
THE
FOREST
COUNTY
%-POTTAWATOMIE.
%- >> GOOD MORNING,
EVERYONE.%- >> GOOD
MORNING.
%- >> MY NAME
IS
EUGENE
SHAUN,
SR.%-AND I'M
A
MEMBER OF
THE
FOREST
%-COUNTY
POTTAWATOMIE
TRIBE
%-LOCATED IN
CRANDON,
WISCONSIN.
%-AND
MY
EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL
ASKED
%-ME TO COME
SAY
THE
PRAYER
TODAY,%-WHICH
IS
A
HUGE
TASK
FOR
ME
IN
%-MY
LIFETIME,
BUT
I
GOT
MY
%-TOBACCO.%-THIS IS WHERE
I
GET
MY
STRENGTH.
%-I
ALWAYS
USE
THIS WHEN I
TALK
TO
%-MY
CREATOR.
%-AND
TODAY, I'M
SURE GOING
TO
%-NEED
IT AND I
WANT
TO LET
YOU
%-KNOW THAT
IF I
HAVE
HEARD
%-ANYONE'S
FEELINGS, IT'S
NOT
%-INTENTIONAL, SO FORGIVE
ME
FOR
%-THAT AND I'LL
APOLOGIZE
FOR THAT
%-NOW.
%-BUT I WANT TO
SAY
A
PRAYER
IN
MY
%-NATIVE
TONGUE
BECAUSE I
FEEL
%-PERSONALLY THAT
HE'S
HERE
%-LISTENING TO
ME
WHEN I
DO
SAY
%-THE
PRAYER.
%-(PRAYER
IN
POTTAWATOMIE)
%- >> I JUST
WANT TO
EXPLAIN
MY
%-PRAYER TO
YOU TODAY
AND
THAT%-WHEN I
CLASP
MY
HAND TO
THE
%-LEFT, THAT
WAS
FROM
WAY
BEFORE
%-MY
TIME,
THE
STRUGGLES
THAT
OUR
%-NATIVES
HAVE
COME
THROUGH.
%-WITHOUT HOLDING EACH
OTHER'S
%-HAND
TIGHTLY,
WHERE
NOBODY
COULD
%-BREAK IT
UP,
AND
THEN
WE
CHOSE
%-OUR
LEADERS
TO
TALK FOR
US AND
%-SO
WE
SUCCEEDED
UNTIL
WE
GOT
%-HERE TODAY
AND
NOW
WE'LL
KNOW
%-WHAT
MEND
IN
TIME
MEANS.%-IT MEANS
THAT
WE'LL
GO
WHATEVER
%-SPEED
WE NEED
TO TO
GET
TO
OUR
%-GOALS
AND
WE DO
IT
TOGETHER.%-NO ONE
GETS
LEFT
BEHIND.
%-IN
THE
FUTURE,
WE'VE
STILL
GOT
%-TO
CLASP
OUR
HANDS,
HOLDING
IT
%-TOGETHER
AND CONTINUE
TO
%-SUCCESS.
%-CREATOR, WATCH
WHAT
WE'RE
DOING
%-HERE TODAY
AND
EACH
TRIBAL
%-LEADERS
HERE
CAN TAKE THIS
HOME,%-AND I HOPE IT DOES
HAVE
SOME
%-VALUE TO
YOU,
TOO.
%-MY
COUNCIL,
ESPECIALLY,
I'M
VERY%-PROUD
OF
THEM.
%-THERE'S
THREE
YOUNG
LEADERS
ON
%-THAT
COUNCIL
AND
THREE
YOUNG
%-MEN,
SO WE
HAVE
THE
MOTHERS ON
%-THE
COUNCIL,
TOO.%-WE
HAVE
THAT
BONDING
WITH
THEIR
%-CHILDREN, WHICH
IS
THE
TRIBAL
%-MEMBERSHIP.
%-AND OUR
MOTHERS, WE HAVE
TO
TAKE%-CARE
OF.
%-SHE'S
GETTING
WEAK
BUT
SHE
NEVER
%-GIVES
UP.
%-SHE
KEEPS
ON
FEEDING
US,
THE
%-ANIMALS,
EVERYTHING.
%-WE
OWE
SO
MUCH
TO
HER.
%-CREATOR, I
ASK
THAT
HE
HELP
HER
%-ALONG
TO
ACCOMPLISH
THIS,
%-BECAUSE ARE
ABUSING
HER
AND
%-CREATING THESE
ILLNESSES
THAT
%-WE'RE
GETTING, THROUGH
COVID,
%-CANCER,
TUBERCULOSIS,
AND
WE
%-KNOW IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE
%-FINDING NEW
DISEASES BECAUSE
%-WE'RE
NOT
HELPING
OUR
MOM
STAY
%-CLEAN
TO
KEEP
PROVIDING FOR
US.
%-AS ALL
OF
YOU
MOTHERS
KNOW, YOU
%-WILL NEVER
GIVE
UP
ON
YOUR
%-CHILDREN AND SO
SHE'LL
NEVER
%-GIVE
UP,
EITHER,
NO
MATTER HOW
%-MUCH
WE
ABUSE
HER.
%-SO I
JUST
WANT
TO
LET
THE
PUBLIC
%-KNOW THAT
WE'RE
ALL
MOTHER
%-EARTH'S
CHILDREN AND SO
WE'VE
%-ALL GOT
TO PAY
ATTENTION.
%-(CONTINUES IN
NATIVE
TONGUE)
%-THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
%- >> PLEASE STAY
STANDING FOR THE
%-PRESENTATION OF THE
COLORS.
%-♪
%- >> POTTAWATOMIE YOUTH
ROYALTY,
%-SENIOR
PRINCESS,
LAM
DANIELS.
%-JUNIOR
PRINCESS,
LATIAH
LA
%-BARGE,
BRAVE
SHEPHERD,
SENIOR
%-PRINCESS
LOVIE VAN
ZILE.
%-JUNIOR
PRINCESS,
JAELA
FRANK.
%-AND
BRAVE
BRODY
WHITE.
%-(RECITING OF THE
PLEDGE
OF
%-ALLEGIANCE)
%-%- >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
%- >> WHILE THEY ARE FILING
OUT,
%-THE FIRST
ORDER OF
BUSINESS IS
A%-CALL THE
ROLL.%-THE CLERK WILL OPEN
THE
ROLL.
%-(BELL
CHIMES)
%-
>> HAVE ALL MEMBERS
RECORDED
%-THEIR
PRESENCE?
%-IF
SO, THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE
%-ROLL.%-THERE ARE
97
MEMBERS
PRESENT.%-A QUORUM IS
PRESENT.
%-GENTLEMEN FROM
THE
67th.
%- >> MR. SPEAKER, I
ASK UNANIMOUS
%-CONSENT FOR A
LEAVE OF
ABSENCE%-FOR THE
DAY FOR
THE
GENTLE
LADY%-FROM THE
73rd
AND
TEMPORARY
%-LEAVE FOR THE JAFROM
THE
88th
%-AND
96th.
%- >> ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT
THAT
A
%-TEMPORARY LEAVE BE
GRANTED FOR
%-THE GENTLEMAN
FROM
THE
36th
%-AND
LEAVE FOR
THE BALANCE
%-GRANTED TO THE
LADY FROM THE
%-73rd.%-IS THERE
OBJECTION?%-HEARING NONE, IT
IS
SO
ORDERED.
%-WELL, TODAY IS NOT
A
JOINT
%-CONVENTION.%-WE ARE JOINED BY
MEMBERS OF
THE
%-STATE
SENATE,
THE
EXECUTIVE
%-BRANCH AND THE STATE SUPREME
%-COURT.
%-LET'S GIVE
THEM
ALL
A
WARM
%-WELCOME ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> IN
KEEPING WITH
THE
LONG
%-TRADITION OF THE
LEGISLATURE, WE
%-HAVE INVITED
JAMES
CRAWFORD,
THE
%-CHAIRMAN OF
THE
FOREST COUNTY
%-POTTAWATOMIE, WHO
WILL
GIVE
%-TODAY'S TRIBAL
ADDRESS.%-WE
WOULD INVITE
HIM TO THE
%-PODIUM.%-[APPLAUSE]
%->> THANK
YOU.%-THANK YOU.
%-(SPEAKS
IN
NATIVE
TONGUE)
%-
>> HELLO,
ALL
MY
RELATIVES.
%-MY
NAME
IS
THUNDERBIRD THAT
%-WATCHES OVER
AND
PROTECTS
US.%-I
AM
EAGLE
CLAN.%-I
AM
A
POTTAWATOMIE
INDIAN.%-I WANTED
TO
SPEAK TO YOU A%-LITTLE BIT
IN
MY
LANGUAGE
TODAY,
%-BUT
NOW I
WILL SPEAK TO
YOU
IN
%-ENGLISH.%-FIRST OF
ALL, I
WANT TO SAY%-THANK YOU
TO
MY
WIFE,
JENNIFER,
%-MY
DAUGHTERS
PEYTON,
MARYJANE,
%-CIERRA, AND MY
SON,
DYLAN THAT
%-ARE
HERE
TODAY WITH
ME.
%-THANK YOU VERY MUCH.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> GOOD MORNING.%-MY NAME
IS
JAMES CRAWFORD AND I
%-AM
THE
CHAIRMAN OF
THE
FOREST
%-COUNTY
POTTAWATOMIE
COMMUNITY.%-IT'S AN
HONOR AND
A
PRIVILEGE TO%-BE SPEAKING
BEFORE
YOU
TODAY,%-AND I
STAND
HERE WITH
THE
UTMOST
%-RESPECT AND
GRATITUDE
FOR
YOUR
%-INVITATION.%-THANK
YOU, GOVERNOR
EVERS,
%-LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR
RODRIGUEZ,
%-MAJORITY SPEAKER
VOS,
MAJORITY
%-LEADER
LEMAHIEU,
SENATE
MINORITY
%-LEADER,
HESSLBINE,
ASSEMBLY
%-LEADER
NEWBAUER.
%-MEMBERS OF THE
STATE
SENATE,
%-MEMBERS OF
THE
STATE
ASSEMBLY,
%-CONSTITUTIONAL
OFFICERS,
CABINET
%-SECRETARIES,
JUSTICES OF
THE%-SUPREME
COURT,
ESTEEMED
ELDERS,
%-VETERANS,
FELLOW
TRIBAL
LEADERS,%-AND
OTHER
HONORED
GUESTS
FOR
%-BEING HERE
TODAY.%-WE
ARE
EXTREMELY
FORTUNATE TO%-HAVE THIS FORUM EVERY
YEAR
TO
%-BRING
ATTENTION
TO
WISCONSIN
%-INDIAN
COUNTY
AND
GIVE
YOU
%-INSUITS
ON
ISSUES CURRENTLY
%-IMPACTING THE
PEOPLE OF
THE
11
%-TRIBAL
NATIONS IN
THIS
GREAT
%-STATE.%-IT IS
MY
HOPE
THAT
TODAY'S
%-ADDRESS WILL
BRING
A
DESIRE
TO
%-FURTHER IS
CELEBRATE AND
%-STRENGTHEN A
COOPERATIVE
%-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE STATE
%-OF
WISCONSIN AND
THE
TRIBAL
%-NATIONS.
%-THIS
ADDRESS HAS BEEN
GOING ON
%-NOW
FOR
20
YEARS AND I
WANT TO
%-SAY THANK
YOU,
OR
MIGWETCH
IN
%-OUR
LANGUAGE,
TO ALL
OF
OUR
%-WISCONSIN STATE
LEADERS
FOR
YOUR
%-CONTINUED
SUPPORT.
%-OPPORTUNITIES LIKE
THIS
TO GIVE
%-YOU A
BETTER
UNDERSTANDING
OF
%-TRIBAL
PEOPLE
AND
CULTURES IS
%-APPRECIATED BY ALL
OF
US,
SO
%-MIGWETCH.%-I'M
ALSO
VERY
HUMBLED TO
BE
%-ASKED BY
MY
FELLOW TRIBAL
%-LEADERS TO STAND
HERE
AND
%-REPRESENT
WISCONSIN'S
TRIBAL
%-NATIONS AT THIS
YEAR'S STATE OF
%-THE
TRIBE
ADDRESS.%-I'D LIKE
TO
RECOGNIZE
MY
FELLOW
%-TRIBAL
LEADERS THAT
ARE
HERE
%-TODAY.%-PLEASE STAND
WHEN
YOUR
NAME
IS
%-MENTIONED.
%-AMONG
US WE
HAVE
CHAIRMAN
ROBERT
%-BLANCHARD FROM THE
BAND
%-REPETITIVE BAND OF
THE
LAKE
%-SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA
INDIANS.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> PRESIDENT JOHN
JOHNSON,
SR.,%-LAC DU
FLAMBEAU, BAND
OF
LAKE
%-SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA
INDIAN.
%-CHAIRMAN
TEHASSI
HILL,
ONEIDA
%-NATION.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> PRESIDENT JON
GREENDEER,
%-HO-CHUNK
NATION.
%-CHAIRWOMAN NICOLE
BOYD,
RED
%-CLIFF
BAND
OF
LAKE
SUPERIOR
%-CHIPPEWA
INDIANS.
%-PRESIDENT SHANNON
HOLSEY,
%-STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE
COMMUNITY.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> VICE
CHAIRWOMAN
GINA
KAKKAK,
%-MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF
%-WISCONSIN.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> CHAIRMAN
THOMAS
FOWLER, SAINT
%-CROIX CHIPPEWA
INDIANS OF
%-WISCONSIN.%-[APPLAUSE]
%-COUNCILMAN
LELAND VAN
ZILE,
%-SOKOAGON CHIPPEWA
COMMUNITY.
%-ALSO WITH
US
TODAY
IS
CHAIRMAN
%-JIM
WILLIAMS, LAC
VIEUX
DESERT
%-BAND
OF
LAKE
SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA
%-INDIANS.%-CHI MIGWETCH
TO EACH
OF
YOU FOR
%-THE TRUST
AND
CONFIDENCE THAT%-YOU HAVE
PLACED
IN
ME AS
I
%-DELIVER THESE
REMARKS
TODAY.%-I WANT TO USE
MY
TIME WITH
YOU
%-TODAY
TO
EMPHASIZE SOME OF THE
%-IDEAS
THAT
TRIBAL
NATIONS HOLD
%-CLOSELY, PROVIDE
YOU
WITH A
%-LITTLE
HISTORY AND
CELEBRATE AND
%-REMIND
YOU OF
THE
%-ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU'VE ACHIEVED%-WITH
WISCONSIN'S
TRIBES.
%-HOPEFULLY, THIS
WILL HELP
SET
%-THE STAGE
FOR
NEW
AND
BETTER
%-WAYS WE
CAN CONTINUE
TO
%-COLLABORATE, TO
ACHIEVE
OUR
%-COMMON
GOALS.
%-THE
RECOGNITION
OF
TRIBAL
%-SOVEREIGNTY IS ONE OF
THE
MOST
%-IMPORTANT
TENETS
OF
NATIVE
%-PEOPLES.
%- RIBES HAVE BEEN
GOVERNING
HO
%-THEIR OWN
PEOPLE
LIVE,
ACT,
AND
%-RULE FOR
COUNTLESS
GENERATIONS
%-AND
EACH
TRIBE
IN WISCONSIN
IS
%-ITS
OWN
SOVEREIGN NATION AND
HAS
%-ITS
OWN
DISTINCT
CHALLENGES AND
%-OPPORTUNITIES.%-TRIBAL
SOVEREIGNTY IS
NOT
%-SOMETHING WE HAVE
BEEN
GRANTED,
%-BUT IS
SOMETHING WE
HAVE
ALWAYS
%-INHERENTLY
HELD.
%-THIS INHERENT
SOVEREIGNTY
IS
%-WHAT
TRIBES
CONTINUOUSLY WORK
TO
%-PRESERVE,
PROTECT,
AND
ENHANCE
%úFOR
OUR
FUTURE
GENERATIONS.%-EACH
TRIBE IN
WISCONSIN
ALSO
HAS
%-ITS
OWN ANICHE
HISTORY.%-WE
ALL
HAVE
OUR
OWN
STORIES
AND
%-TRADITIONS THAT HAVE HELPED
%-SHAPE
OUR
CULTURES
AND
GUIDE
WHO%-WE ARE
TODAY.%-FOR THE
POTTAWATOMIE, THE
%-REMEMBRANCES OF
OUR
ANCESTORS%-AND THE TIES TO
OUR
TREATY
LANDS
%-IS
ESPECIALLY
IMPORTANT.
%-WHILE
THE
FOREST
COUNTY
%-POTTAWATOMIE TODAY
HAVE
%-RESERVATION LANDS IN
THE NORTH
%-WOODS
OF
WISCONSIN, THAT IS
NOT
%-OUR
TREATY
LAND.%-LIKE
THE
OTHER
TRIBES IN
%-WISCONSIN, THE
POTTAWATOMIE WERE
%-FORCED
OFF
THEIR
LANDS.
%-THE
POTTAWATOMIE'S
HOME
IN
%-WISCONSIN STRETCHED
SOUTH
FROM
%-POTTAWATOMIE
LIGHTHOUSE AND
THE
%-POTTAWATOMIE STATE
PARK
IN DOOR
%-COUNTY
ALONG
LAKE
MICHIGAN
%-THROUGH MILWAUKEE
AND
JUST
WEST
%-TO
WALWORTH COUNTY
NEAR
BIG
FOOT
%-BEACH STATE
PARK, WHICH IS
NAMED
%-AFTER
POTTAWATOMIE CHIEF
%-BIGFOOT.
%-AND
OUR
DEEP
TIES
TO
THOSE
AREAS%-CAN BE
STILL SEEN
TODAY.
%-CITIES
LIKE
KENOSHA,
WAUKESHA,
%-SHEGOYGAN
AND
MANITOWOC
ARE
ALL
%-DERIVED FROM THE
POTTAWATOMIE
%-LANGUAGE.%-SO WHEN THE
POTTAWATOMIE TALK
%-ABOUT
OUR
HOME, THAT
IS
WHAT
WE
%-MEAN.
%-EVEN THOUGH
EACH
TRIBE IN
%-WISCONSIN IS UNIQUE
WITH
THEIR
%-OWN
HISTORIES,
CULTURES
AND
%-DISTINCT CHALLENGES AND
%-OPPORTUNITIES,
THE
TRIBES
STILL
%-SHARE
MEN
COMMONALITIES,%-ESPECIALLY THE DESIRE AND
%-WILLINGNESS TO COME TOGETHER AND
%-WORK FOR
THE
GREATER
GOOD.
%-AND THAT'S WHAT I
WANT
TO
STRESS
%-WITH ALL
OF
YOU
TODAY.
%-DESPITE OUR
DIFFERENCES,
%-WISCONSIN'S TRIBES AND
OUR
STATE
%-LEADERS CAN
AND
MUST CONTINUE TO
%-COLLABORATE AND WORK
TOGETHER%-FOR
THE
GREATER
GOOD.%-I HAVE
BEEN
FORTUNATE TO
SERVE
%-AS
THE
ELECTED
LEADER OF
THE
%-POTTAWATOMIE FOR
THE
LAST
YEAR.
%-BEFORE
SERVING AS
CHAIRMAN,
I
%-SPENT MORE THAN
10 YEARS
IN
%-VARIOUS ROLES
AS
AN
ELECTED%-TRIBAL
LEADER
ON
OUR
EXECUTIVE
%-COUNCIL.
%-AND
BEFORE
THAT,
I
SERVED
MY
%-TRIBE
IN
VARIOUS
CAPACITIES,
%-INCLUDING
SERVING
AS BOARD
%-CHAIRMAN OF THE
POTTAWATOMIE
%-BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
%-CORPORATION.%-I'VE SPENT MY
ADULT
LIFE
SERVING
%-MY TRIBE
BECAUSE I WANT TO
HELP
%-MY PEOPLE
AND
MY
TRIBE
NEEDS
%-PEOPLE WHO
WANT
TO
HELP.
%-BUT
MY WORK
SERVING
MY
TRIBE
IS
%-ONLY
ONE PART
OF
WHO I
AM.
%-I'M ALSO A
HUSBAND,
A
FATHER,%-AND
A
GRANDFATHER.
%-MY
WIFE
JENNIFER AND I HAVE BEEN
%-MARRIED FOR
29
YEARS.%-WE HAVE
SEVEN
BEAUTIFUL
CHILDREN%-AND WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED
WITH
%-THREE
GRANDCHILDREN, WITH
ONE
%-MORE ON
THE
WAY.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> I TELL YOU
THIS
ABOUT
ME
TO
%-REMIND YOU
THAT EACH
OF
US
HAS
%-HAD
A
DIFFERENT
LIFE.
%-DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT
%-SHAPE AND
GUIDE
WHO WE
ARE,
AND%-BECAUSE OF
THAT,
WE
ALL
BRING
A
%-UNIQUE
PERSPECTIVE TO THE
%-SITUATIONS
AROUND
US.
%-IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE
GAIN
%-PERSPECTIVE FROM
THOSE
AROUND
%-US.%-THAT IS WHY IT
IS
SO
IMPORTANT
%-THAT ALL OF
YOU IN
THIS
ROOM
%-REACH OUT
TO
THOSE
AROUND
YOU,
%-INCLUDING
WISCONSIN'S
TRIBES
TO
%-GAIN
NEW
PERSPECTIVES ON
THE
%-ISSUES YOU ARE CHARGED
WITH
%-TACKLING.
%-THE
PERSPECTIVES
BROUGHT
BY
%-WISCONSIN
TRIBES
IN
%-COLLABORATION WITH THE
STATE
%-HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED POSITIVE
%-THINGS FOR ALL
OF
US.%-FOR
EXAMPLE,
HEALTHCARE.%-HEALTHCARE
IS ONE OF
THE
MOST
%-IMPORTANT
AND
COSTLY
SERVICES
%-THAT
TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE
%-TO
BOTH
THEIR
PEOPLE AND
THE
%-GREATER
COMMUNITY.
%-AND BECAUSE OF
TRIBAL
HEALTH
%-CENTERS -- AND
BECAUSE
TRIBAL
%-HEALTH
CENTERS
SERVE
LARGE
%-POPULATIONS THAT ARE
MEDICAID
%-ELIGIBLE,
THEIR
CONTINUED
%-OPERATION IS
ESSENTIAL.
%-UNFORTUNATELY, DELAYS IN
%-REIMBURSEMENTS BY
THE FEDERAL
%-GOVERNMENT AND THE
COMPLEXITIES%-IN
REPORTING
HAVE
LEFT
TRIBAL
%-HEALTH FACILITIES
WITH
%-UNNECESSARY
FINANCIAL
STRAINS.
%-IN SOME
CASES,
TRIBAL
HEALTH
%-CENTERS
WERE WAITING
YEARS TO
BE
%-REIMBURSED
FOR
SERVICES.
%-BUT
LUCKILY, THERE
WAS
A
PATH
TO
%-ADDRESS
THESE
ISSUES.
%-WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL
FEDERALLY
%-QUALIFIED
HEALTH
CENTERS
WERE
%-ELIGIBLE
TO
ADOPT AN
%-ALL-INCLUSIVE
RATE
FOR
THEIR
%-PAYMENT
METHOD.
%-THIS RATE
TYPICALLY
RESULTS
IN
%-GREATER
OVERALL
FEDERAL
%-REIMBURSEMENT,
MORE
TIMELY
%-PAYMENT FOR
CLAIMS
AND
%-SIMPLIFIED
REPORTING, ALL OF
%-WHICH
WILL
HELP
ALLEVIATE
%-CURRENT
FISCAL
CHALLENGES
AND
%-ALLOW
TRIBAL
HEALTH
FACILITIES
%-TO PROVIDE
THE
BEST CARE
%-POSSIBLE TO
THEIR
COMMUNITIES.%-CHI
MIGWETCH, GOVERNOR
EVERS,
%-FOR YOUR
HELP
IN
IDENTIFYING
%-THIS
CRITICAL ISSUE AND
FIND A
%-WAY TO
BRING MUCH
NEEDED
%-ADDITIONAL
HEALTHCARE
FUNDING
TO
%-WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL
NATIONS.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> AND CHI MIGWETCH
TO
CO-CHAIRS
%-SENATOR
HOWARD
MARKLEIN
AND
%-REPRESENTATIVE MARK
BORN AND THE
%-MEMBERS OF THE
JOINT
COMMITTEE
%-ON
FINANCE
FOR
THEIR
RECOGNITION%-OF THIS ISSUE
AND
THEIR
APPROVAL%-OF
THE
EXTREMELY
BENEFICIAL
%-CHANGE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> EACH
TRIBE
IN
WISCONSIN
WILL
%-SEE
POSITIVE
BENEFIT FROM
THIS
%-CHANGE.
%-AND BECAUSE OF THIS
CHANGE,
%-WISCONSIN'S TRIBES WILL
SEE
A%-MORE
THAN
$60
MILLION
INCREASE
%-IN
THEIR
FEDERAL
MEDICAID
%-REIMBURSEMENTS.%-THAT IS LIKELY
THE
MOST
%-SIGNIFICANT --%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> THAT IS LIKELY
THE
MOST
%-SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL
GAIN
FOR
%-WISCONSIN TRIBES SINCE
THE
%-ADVENT
OF
TRIBAL
GAMING IN
THIS
%-STATE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> ENSURING THAT
PEOPLE
HAVE
%-ACCESS
TO
HEALTHY FOOD
OPTIONS
%-IS
IMPORTANT FOR
EVERYONE.
%-GETTING
A WELL
BALANCED
DIET
OF
%-FRUITS,
VEGETABLES, AND A
%-VARIETY
OF
PROTEINS
IS
ESSENTIAL
%-FOR GOOD
HEALTH
AND
NUTRITION.
%-HOWEVER,
GETTING
ACCESS
TO
THAT
%-FOOD CAN BE
DIFFICULT
FOR
SOME
%-COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE
%-RURAL AREAS
OF
OUR
STATE.
%-AND FOR
NATIVES,
ENSURING THAT%-WE HAVE
ACCESS
TO
TRADITIONAL,%-INDIGENOUS FOODS
IS
CRITICAL.%-THAT
IS --%-[APPLAUSE]
%->> THAT IS
WHY
THE
TRIBAL
ELDER
%-FOOD
BOX
PROGRAM HAS
BEEN
SO
%-IMPORTANT.%-THIS
PROGRAM
ENSURES
THAT
TRIBAL
%-ELDERS CAN
HAVE
REGULAR
ACCESS
%-TO
TRADITIONAL,
INDIGENOUS
FOODS%-THAT ARE
SOURCED
FROM
NATIVE
AND
%-LOCAL
PRODUCERS.%-ON A
REGULAR
BASIS,
TRIBAL
%-ELDERS RECEIVE
FOODS
LIKE
BISON,
%-FISH,
CORN,
SQUASH,
WILD
RICE,
%-WHITE CORN
FLOUR
AND
MANY
OTHER
%-ITEMS THAT
ARE
ESSENTIAL
TO
%-INDIGENOUS DIETS AND
IT'S
BEEN
A
%-TREMENDOUS
SUCCESS.
%-ELDERS IN
ALL
11
TRIBES
ARE
NOW
%-ABLE
TO
RECEIVE
THESE
IMPORTANT
%-FOOD
ITEMS BECAUSE OF
THIS
%-PROGRAM.
%-AND
THAT'S, IN
PART, BECAUSE
OF
%-YOU.
%-THANK
YOU, GOVERNOR
EVERS,
%-REPRESENTATIVE TONY KURTZ
AND
%-MEMBERS OF
THE
LEGISLATURE
FOR
%-PROVIDING
$3
MILLION
FROM
GAMING
%-FUNDS IN
THE
STATE
BUDGET
TO
%-ENSURE THIS
PROGRAM
CAN
%-CONTINUE.
%-THE FUNDING YOU
PROVIDED IN
THE
%-STATE BUDGET
MEANT
THAT
TRIBAL
%-ELDERS
CONTINUED TO
HAVE
ACCESS
%-TO
WELL-BALANCED,
HEALTHY,
%-INDIGENOUS FOODS.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> AND IT
ENSURED
THAT
LOCAL
%-PRODUCERS, BOTH
TRIBAL
AND
%-NON-TRIBAL, WERE
ABLE
TO%-CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE
AND
SELL
THE%-THOUSANDS
OF POUNDS OF
GOODS
%-NEEDED
FOR THESE
BOXES
EVERY
%-MONTH.%-THAT IS A
WIN
FOR
BOTH
THE
%-HEALTH
AND
ECONOMIC
VITALITY
OF
%-WISCONSIN'S
TRIBAL
PEOPLE AND
%-OUR
AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCERS%-AROUND THE
STATE
AND
WE
LOOK
%-FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH
YOU
%-AGAIN IN THE
NEXT STATE'S
BUDGET
%-TO ENSURE THAT
THIS
CAN
%-CONTINUE.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> IT'S
NO
SECRET THAT IT
IS
%-DIFFICULT TO
FIND
EMPLOYEES%-RIGHT
NOW.
%-EMPLOYERS AROUND THE
STATE
ARE
%-STRUGGLING
TO
FILL VACANT
%-POSITIONS AND
THAT'S
ESPECIALLY
%-TRUE FOR
COMMUNITIES IN THE
%-RURAL PARTS
OF
OUR
STATE,
AND%-THAT
IS
EXACTLY WHAT IS
%-HAPPENING
IN
TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES.%-FINDING EMPLOYEES
FOR
TRIBAL
%-GOVERNMENT BUSINESS AND%-OPERATIONS
REMAINS
A
STRUGGLE.
%-AND
BECAUSE
TRIBES ARE
THE
%-LARGEST EMPLOYERS
IN MANY OF THE
%-COUNTIES WHERE WE
ARE
LOCATED,
%-THIS
CAN
CREATE
NUMEROUS
%-PROBLEMS
FOR
OUR
COMMUNITIES.
%-THERE'S A
MYRIAD
OF
REASONS
WHY
%-IT'S
DIFFICULT TO
FIND
EMPLOYEES%-RIGHT
NOW,
BUT
ONE
CLEAR
REASON%-IS
A
LACK
OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
%-IT'S DIFFICULT
TO
HIRE A
NEW
%-EMPLOYEE
IF THERE IS
NOWHERE
FOR
%-THEM
OR THEIR
FAMILY
TO
LIVE IN
%-YOUR
COMMUNITY.%-I WANT TO
COMMEND
THE
%-LEGISLATURE
AND GOVERNOR
EVERS
%-FOR TAKING
STEPS
THIS
%-LEGISLATIVE
SESSION
TO
ADDRESS
%-THIS
PROBLEM
BY
ENACTING A
%-PACKAGE
OF
BIPARTISAN
BILLS
TO
%-HELP
EXPAND
ACCESS
TO
SAFE,%-AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
FOR
WORKING
%-FAMILIES.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> THIS
IS
NOT
AN EASY
PROBLEM
%-TO
FIX, BUT
THE
PACKAGE
OF
%-BIPARTISAN
BILLS
YOU
PASSED
AND
%-SIGNED INTO
LAW
WILL
MAKE
%-POSITIVE STEPS TO
CREATE
A
MORE%-AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS
IN
%-OUR
COMMUNITIES.%-AND I ALSO
WANT
TO THANK
YOU
FOR
%-INCLUDING TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS IN
%-YOUR DISCUSSIONS ON THIS
ISSUE.%-EARLY
ON,
YOU
RECOGNIZED THAT%-THE LACK
OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
%-WAS
ALSO IMPORTANT
TO
TRIBAL
%-COMMUNITIES.%-THANK
YOU, SPEAKER VOS
AND
%-MAJORITY
LEADER
LEMAHIEU FOR
%-MAKING
SURE
THAT
TRIBAL
%-GOVERNMENTS ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR
THE
%-RESIDENTIAL
HOUSING
%-INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN
FUND
AND
%-PROGRAM.
%-PROVIDING
TOOLS --%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> PROVIDING
TOOLS
AND
%-INCENTIVES LIKE THIS
TO
TRIBES%-CAN
GO A
LONG WAY
TO
ADDRESSING
%-THIS
ISSUE.
%-BUT A
LACK
OF
HOUSING
ISN'T
THE
%-ONLY
OBSTACLE THAT WE FACE
IN
%-OUR
COMMUNITIES.
%-IT'S
ALSO
INCREASINGLY MORE
%-DIFFICULT
TO
RECRUIT
SKILLED
%-LABOR.
%-TRIBES
ALSO
NEED
DOCTORS AND
%-NURSES AND
PHARMACISTS
TO
%-PROVIDE IMPORTANT SERVICES TO
%-OUR
PEOPLE AND THE
COMMUNITY
AT
%-LARGE,
CREATING
MORE
INCENTIVES
%-IS ONE
WAY
TO
ENCOURAG
PEOPLE%-TO
WORK
IN
OUR
RURAL
%-COMMUNITIES, SO I
WANT TO
SAY
%-MIGWETCH TO
STATE
REPRESENTATIVE
%-ALEX
DALLMAN
AND
STATE
SENATOR
%-ROB
STAFSHOLT
FOR
THEIR
%-LEGISLATION TO CREATE
A
PILOT
%-PROGRAM
TO
PROVIDE
TUITION,
%-REIMBURSEMENT
FOR
PHARMACY
%-SCHOOL
GRADUATES WHO
WORK
AT
%-INDEPENDENT
PHARMACIES
IN
RURAL
%-COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING
%-PHARMACIES BY
WISCONSIN'S
!
!!!!
RUN
BY
WISCONSIN
%-TRIBES.
%-[APPLAUSE]%- >> THANK YOU
BOTH
FOR
%-RECOGNIZING
THIS
PROBLEM
AND
%-REALIZING THAT TRIBES CAN
HELP
%-BE A
PART OF
THE
SOLUTION.
%-WE LOOK
FORWARD
TO
CONTINUING
%-OUR
WORK WITH
YOU
ON
THESE
%-ISSUES.
%-THESE
ARE JUST
A
FEW OF
THE
WAYS%-THAT WE HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO
WORK
%-TOGETHER TO FIND
SOLUTIONS
TO%-SOME OF THE
SUBSTANTIAL
ISSUES
%-FACING TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES
IN
%-WISCONSIN.
%-BUT
EVERYTHING
WE
DO
TOGETHER
%-WON'T
ALWAYS
BE
FLASHY
OR
%-EXCITING.
%-SOMETIMES
IT'S
SIMPLE.
%-AND
THAT'S
ALSO
WHAT
YOU
DID
%-THIS LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
%-YOU
HELPED
FIX A
LITTLE
PROBLEM
%-THAT
ALSO
ALLOWED
AN
IMPORTANT
%-RECOGNITION OF
PARITY
FOR
TRIBAL
%-GOVERNMENTS.
%-THE
POTTAWATOMIE
WANTED
TO
ERECT
%-A
MUNICIPAL
WELCOME
SIGN AT
THE
%-BORDERS
OF
OUR
RESERVATION.
%-WHEN DRIVING
THROUGH OUR
STATE,
%-IT'S
COMMON TO
SEE
THESE
LARGER,
%-MORE
ELABORATE
SIGNS
WELCOMING
%-VISITORS TO
DIFFERENT
AREAS
OF
%-WISCONSIN.
%-THESE SIGNS
PROUDLY
WELCOME
YOU
%-TO PLACES
LIKE
THE
MUSKY
CAPITAL%-OF THE
WORLD
IN
BOULDER JUNCTION
%-OR
THE
CHEESE
CURD
CAPITAL
IN
%-ELLSWORTH OR
WISCONSIN'S CZECH
%-CAPITAL
IN
HILLSBOROUGH.
%-THESE
WELCOME
SIGNS
PROVIDE
%-VISITORS WITH A
GLIMPSE INTO THE
%-COMMUNITY AND
HIGHLIGHT
THE
%-PRIDE ITS
RESIDENTS
HAVE
TO
%-THEIR
HOMETOWNS.
%-WHILE OTHER
FORMS
OF
GOVERNMENT
%-WERE
ALLOWED
TO
ERECT
THESE
%-SIGNS
AT THEIR
BOUNDARIES,
%-TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS
WERE
NOT.
%-SO
THANKS
TO
AUTHORS
STATE
%-RELATIONSHIP
MURSAU
AND
STATE
%-SENATOR MARY
FELZKOWSKI.
%-YOU PASSED AND
ENACTED
A
WARP
%-BILL
THAT
NOT
ONLY
ALLOWS
TRIBES
%-TO INSTALL
THESE
WELCOME
SIGNS,%-BUT ALSO
RECOGNIZES OUR
PARITY
%-WITH
OTHER
TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
OR
%-WITH
OTHER
FORMS
OF
GOVERNMENTS.%-WHILE GRANTING
TRIBES THE
%-ABILITY
TO
INSTALL
MUNICIPAL
%-WELCOME SIGNS
DOESN'T
SOLVE
OUR
%-HOUSING
OR
EMPLOYEE
SHORTAGE.%-IT
DOES
PROVIDE
TRIBES WITH AN
%-IMPORTANT REINFORCEMENT
OF
OUR
%-SOVEREIGNTY
AND
ALLOWS
US TO
BE
%-TREATED JUST
LIKE
OTHER
%-GOVERNMENTS.%-AND
THAT'S A
BIG
DEAL.
%-[APPLAUSE]%- >> I HAVE
PROVIDED JUST A
%-GLIMPSE OF
THE
POSITIVE
WAYS%-THAT YOU HAVE
WORKED
WITH
%-WISCONSIN'S
TRIBES.
%-AND
WHILE WE HAVE
BEEN
ABLE TO
%-DO
SOME
POSITIVE
THINGS
%-TOGETHER, THERE
IS
STILL MUCH
%-MORE THAT
NEEDS TO
BE
DONE.%-THERE ARE
STILL
ISSUES
LINGERING%-THAT ARE TOO
BE IMPORTANT
TO
%-IGNORE, SO
WE NEED
TO
CONTINUE%-TO
HAVE
A
DIALOGUE TO
FIND
%-SOLUTIONS.
%-AND
WHILE
THESE
PROBLEMS ARE
%-DIFFICULT,
WE
APPRECIATE
THE
%-EFFORTS YOU HAVE
ALREADY%-UNDERTAKEN TO ADDRESS SOME
OF
%-THESE
IMPORTANT
ISSUES.
%-LIKE FOSTER
CARE
AND
ADOPTION.%-FOR
THE
LAST
SEVERAL
YEARS,
THE
%-LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN
WORKING
TO
%-ADDRESS THE
CHALLENGES
AND
%-ISSUES
FACING
CHILDREN
AND
%-FAMILIES IN
ADOPTION AND THE
%-FOSTER
CARE
SYSTEM.
%-THESE
ARE ISSUES THAT
ARE
NOT
%-ONLY IMPORTANT
FOR
OUR
TRIBAL
%-COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO
FOR
ME
%-PERSONALLY.
%-MY
WIFE
JENNIFER AND I HAVE BEEN
%-BLESSED TO
BE
FOSTER
PARENTS
TO
%-FIVE CHILDREN FOR
THE
LAST
12
%-YEARS, AND
I --%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> AND I
APPLAUD
THIS BODY
FOR
%-THE COURAGE
IN
TAKING
ON SOME OF
%-THE
COMPLEX
ISSUES
SURROUNDING
%-THESE
TOPICS.%-THANK
YOU,
STATE
SENATOR
JOAN
%-BALLWEG,
STATE
REPRESENTATIVE
%-PAT IS
!
SCHNEIDER AND
THIS
ENTIRE
%-BODY
FOR
YOUR RECENT
SUPPORT
AND
%-PASSAGE
OF
SB520/AB557,
WHICH
%-PROVIDES CRUCIAL SUPPORT FOR
%-WISCONSIN'S
KINSHIP
CAREGIVERS.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> BECAUSE OF THIS
LEGISLATION,
%-CHILDREN WILL BE
ABLE TO
BE
%-PLACED
MORE
EASILY
WITH
THOSE
%-WHO ALREADY
KNOW
AND
LOVE
THEM
%-AND
WHO
THEY
KNOW
AND
LOVE
IN
%-RETURN
AND
THOSE
CAREGIVERS
WILL
%-RECEIVE
NEEDED FINANCIAL
%-SUPPORT.
%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> I
KNOW
MANY
DIFFICULT
ISSUES
%-REMAIN
OUTSTANDING,
BUT
I
URGE
%-YOU TO
CONTINUE
YOUR
WORK
ON
%-THESE
IMPORTANT
TOPICS.
%-AND
LASTLY, I WANT
TO
REMIND
YOU%-OF
THE
ONGOING
PROBLEM OF
THE
%-TRAFFICKING OF
NATIVE
WOMEN
AND
%-GIRLS.
%-IN
TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES
ALL ACROSS
%-THE
COUNTRY, INCLUDING
RIGHT%-HERE
IN
WISCONSIN,
NATIVE
WOMEN
%-AND
GIRLS
ARE
BEING
EXPLOITED,
%-TRAFFICKED, AND
SUBJECTED
TO
%-VIOLENCE
AT
DISPROPORTIONATELY%-HIGH
RATES.%-I
APPRECIATE
THE
EFFORTS
OF%-ATTORNEY
GENERAL JOSH
KAUL,
THE
%-MEMBERS --
%-[APPLAUSE]%- >> THANK YOU.
%-THE
MEMBERS OF THE
WISCONSIN%-DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TASK
FORCE
%-ON
MISSING
AND
MURDERED
%-INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND
OUR
STATE'S%-LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
TO
%-TACKLE
THIS
PROBLEM.%-[APPLAUSE]
%- >> THESE
GROUPS HAVE
BEEN
%-WORKING
DILIGENTLY
TO
ADDRESS
%-THIS
ONGOING
PROBLEM
BUT THEY
%-WILL
NEED
MORE
HELP, SO
I ASK
%-YOU TO
WORK
WITH
THEM
TO
PROVIDE
%-THE
RESOURCES AND
SUPPORT
THAT
%-THEY NEED TO
ADDRESS
THIS
ISSUE.
%-AS I
PONDERED
THE
IDEA
OF
GIVING
%-THIS STATE OF
THE
TRIBES
%-ADDRESS,
I
ASKED
MYSELF
HOW DO
%-YOU
GIVE A STATE OF
THE
TRIBES
%-ADDRESS
WHEN WE
ARE
ALL
EACH
OUR
%-OWN SOVEREIGN
NATION.
%-ALTHOUGH
WE
SHARE
MANY
%-COMMONALITIES, WE ARE
SO
VERY
%-DIFFERENT.%-WE HAVE
OUR
OWN
LANGUAGES,
OUR
%-OWN
GOVERNMENTS, OUR
OWN
WANTS
%-AND
NEEDS.
%-IN MANY
WAYS,
WE
FIND
COMMON
%-GROUND AND
CAN
WORK
TOGETHER FOR
%-A
COMMON
GOAL.
%-IN OTHER
INSTANCES, WE
HAVE
AN
%-INDIVIDUAL PURPOSE THAT
IS
ONLY
%-RELEVANT
TO
OUR
NATION.
%-AND THERE
ARE
TIMES
WHEN
GOALS
%-AND
CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSE
US TO
BE
%-AT
ODDS
WITH
ONE
ANOTHER.
%-YET,
THROUGH
OUR
DIFFERENCES, WE
%-SHARE
WITH
ONE
ANOTHER
IN
OUR%-POW WOWS AND
IN
OUR
TRADITIONS,
%-WHERE
WE
FEAST
TOGETHER, WE
%-BRING OUR
DRUMS
AND
SING
AND
%-DANCE
TOGETHER.
%-REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS.
%-I
ASK THAT
YOU DON'T FORGET TO
%-FIND THE
TIME
TO
SET
ASIDE
YOUR
%-DIFFERENCES AND TO NOT
BE
AFRAID
%-TO REACH
ACROSS
THE
AISLE
AND
%-TAKE
PURPOSEFUL
TIME
TO
FEAST
%-TOGETHER,
TO
DANCE
TOGETHER,
AND
%-TO
SING
TOGETHER.
%-MIGWETCH.%-[APPLAUSE]
%-♪