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,
STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS FOR
FEBRUARY 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
�FOR 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]
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