SENATE. FOR "HERE AND NOW" I'M STEVEN
POTTER. >> ALSO THIS WEEK AT THE
CAPITOL, THE STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS WAS DELIVERED BEFORE THE
FULL LEGISLATURE. FOREST COUNTY POTTAWATOMIE JAMES
CRAWFORD DESCRIBED ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, GOOD JOBS AND HEALTHCARE.
>> THE RECOGNITION OF TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT TENETS OF NATIVE PEOPLES.
TRIBES HAVE BEEN GOVERNING HOW 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. 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.
THE PERSPECTIVES BROUGHT BY WISCONSIN TRIBES AND
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 POPULATIONS THAT ARE MEDICAID