today. Thank you. >> And thank you. Back in
Madison, tribal sovereignty, education, environmental threats
and public health were just some of the issues in the 21st annual
state of the tribes address at the state Capitol this week. It
was an address representing Wisconsin's 11 federally
recognized Native American tribes "Here& Now". And ICT
reporter Erica Ayisi was there. Taiwan Gaza, meanwhile, Huawei
and. Hello and welcome. >> Saint Croix Chippewa Indians
of Wisconsin Chairman Thomas Fowler addressed the full
legislature. >> 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 said the trust
responsibilities to the tribes require the government to uphold
its commitment to protect native land and native rights, and
asked for more support for the state's two reservation based
colleges. >> 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.
>> Among other provisions affecting K through 12 schools
currently before the legislature, Fowler urged
passage of a bill permitting native students to wear
traditional clothes during public school ceremonies.
>> We ask that this body supports legislation that serves
our students like a nine nine, eight SB eight five, so that
school boards and charter schools don't prohibit American
Indian students from wearing traditional regalia at a
graduation ceremony. >> Apache Danforth, member of
Oneida Nation, was in attendance. She also applauded
the legislation, saying it's time for Wisconsin to follow the
lead of other states. >> You know, many are the first
ones graduating from high school and their family, so wearing the
traditional regalia really honors that tradition of
accomplishment. >> On the environment. Fowler
called for a unified voice between the state and the tribes
over the transport through their lands of oil and gas.
>> Tribes have never been silent on their concern of the
environmental hazards that come with pipelines. Our lands and
waterways are at risk, putting our food, water, medicine,
cultural practices at risk. 2. >> As Fowler spoke to
environmental protection, including the need to address
climate change, Jonas Hill, member of the Oneida Nation,
called the message impactful. >> Climate change is real. We
are seeing the effects. Maple season is in full effect right
now and the SAP is running slow. Duey because we haven't we
haven't had a real hard winter hit us for some time. The
wildlife and trees all depend on the environment.
>> Fowler address touched on many difficult issues, including
opioid addiction in Wisconsin's native community and as one
prescription called for the legalization of medical
marijuana. >> We need medical marijuana for
chronic pain management, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress
and addiction. And 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 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.
>> On a most essential issue of life and death. Among the tribal
community. Fowler called missing and murdered indigenous women a
public health crisis. >> This is too common for our
people, and it must stop. >> Danielle Delong of Ho-Chunk
nation echoed the call and Beseeches 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.
>> Fowler has address itself 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 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. Because tribes are
not children of the government. >> From Madison, I'm Eric Ayisi
with "Here& Now" and ICT. with "Here& Now" and ICT.