>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC
FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE
NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE,
WITH LIBERTY AND
THE TRADITION OF HAVING THE
TRIBES GIVE A STATE OF THE
TRIBES ADDRESS GOES BACK A
NUMBER OF YEARS BUT IT IS DEAF
FINITELY ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR US
TO HEAR FROM WISCONSIN FIRST
NATIONS TODAY'S SPEAKER GARY
BESAW WAS VICE CHAIRMAN IN
2003, TRIBAL SECRETARY IN 2008
AFTER FIRST BEING ELECTED TO
THE TRIBAL LEGISLATURE IN 2000
26789 HE COMES WITH A WEALTH
AND KNOWLEDGE AND QUITE
CONFIDENT HE WILL HAVE AN
ADDRESS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US
TO HERE.
LET'S WELCOME GARY BESAW FROM
THE MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE WHO
WILL ADDRESS THE MEMBERS TODAY.
WELCOME.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
>> I WAS JUST TOLD THAT THIS
SPEECH IS OVER TWO HOURS LONG.
YOU BETTER GO GET YOUR WATER.
NO, NO.
[LAUGHTER]
[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
GARY BESAW IS THE NAME I USE
WHEN I PAY MY TAXES.
[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
I HAVE JUST SAID IN OUR
BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE PRESIDENT
CLEVELAND, YOUR CAR IS DOUBLE
PARKED AND IT IS GETTING TOWED
RIGHT NOW.
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
OH, NO, NO.
NO, HERE IS WHAT I REALLY SAID
IN OUR BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE.
MY RELATIVES, GREETINGS.
IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL HERE
TODAY.
OSKIPAEWIS IS MY NAME AND THAT
TRANSLATION IS AS A MESSENGER
OR TRANSLATOR.
IT WAS GIVEN TO ME A LONG TIME
AGO.
THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID THAT
MEANS.
IT IS AN ANCIENT TRANSLATION OF
OUR LANGUAGE.
IT GOES BACK A LONG TIME AND
THEY SAID IN THAT SENSE I HAVE
THAT.
AND I USE THAT WHEN I PRAY
EVERY MORNING AS I HOPE YOU ALL
DO.
AND I SAY GARY BESAW, AS THE
IRS KNOWS ME AND I ALSO SAID I
AM BEAR CLAN WHOSE DUTIES
INCLUDE TO SERVE AS A SPEAKER
AND KEEPER OF THE LAW, AND
THAT'S HOW YOU SEE ME HERE
TODAY IN FRONT OF YOU.
I ALSO SAID I AM BUT A COMMON
MENOMINEE MAN.
FINALLY, I SAID I THANK YOU ALL
FOR BEING HERE.
IT IS A GOOD THING THIS THAT IS
HAPPENING HERE TODAY.
AND NOW I WILL SPEAK A BIT.
MY GOAL FOR THIS SPEECH, LAST
WEEK I WAS REMINDED THE NUMBER
ONE FEAR LISTED IN SURVEYS OF
THE PUBLIC, IT ISN'T DEATH, BUT
SOMETHING MUCH, MUCH WAY WORSE.
IT IS THE FEAR OF PUBLIC
SPEAKING.
SO I TOLD THEM WELL, MINE
WASN'T EITHER ONE OF THOSE, BUT
MINE IS A COMBINATION OF THE
TWO.
OF DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF MY
SPEECH.
[LAUGHTER]
AND NOT SO MUCH MY JOKES.
MY KIDS TOLD ME THEY DIE ALL
THE TIME.
BUT SO MY GOAL IS IF I'M
STANDING HERE AT THE END WHEN
I'M ALL DONE, THAT'S A RELATIVE
SUCCESS FOR ME.
I HAVE LEARNED AS A LEGISLATOR
TO KEEP THE BAR LOW.
[LAUGHTER]
AS I WILL THANK SEVERAL OTHERS
LATER.
I WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO OUR
ALL NATIONS DRUMS WE HAD TODAY.
THEY WERE SINGERS FROM THE
VARIOUS TRIBES THAT BROUGHT IN
OUR COLORS TODAY AND BROUGHT US
INTO THIS FACILITY.
AND THEY SANG THREE DIFFERENT
SONGS.
THE FIRST SONG WAS THE BEAR
CLAN SONG.
THAT IS FOR STRENGTH.
THEY SANG THAT FOR US.
THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD DO THAT.
AND THE SECOND SONG, AS WE
ENTERED THE ROTUNDA WAS A
VICTORY SONG SAYING WE'RE STILL
HERE TODAY.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT HAVE
WORKED AGAINST NATIVE AMERICANS
BUT WE ARE STILL HERE TODAY AND
WE'RE STILL FIGHTING AND WE'RE
STILL STRONG SO THEY SANG US
THAT VICTORY SONG.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
AND THEIR FINAL SONG IS WHAT WE
CALL A TRAVELING SONG.
AND THAT SONG SERVED TWO
PURPOSES THAT EVERYONE HERE
TODAY THAT WHEN WE LEAVE, THAT
WE ALL CAN GO HOME AND FIND OUR
LOVED ONES ALL IN A GOOD, SAFE
WAY JUST THE WAY WE LEFT THEM.
IT WAS FOR THAT AND IT WAS ALSO
THAT AS THIS NEXT YEAR UNFOLDS
BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT STATE
OF THE TRIBES SPEECH, THAT
THINGS GO WELL.
THAT THINGS GO WELL IN THAT
INTERCOURSE, IN THAT DISCUSSION
WE HAVE.
SO THOSE ARE THOSE THREE SONGS,
SO I THANK THEM.
NOW, I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE AND SHOW RESPECT TO
ALL OF OUR WISCONSIN LEADERS
AND REPRESENTATIVES HERE TODAY
IN A VERY TRYING AND PAINFUL
DEMOCRATIC WAY MAKE MANY
IMPORTANT DECISIONS THAT IMPACT
OUR VERY LIVES AND THOSE OF OUR
PRECIOUS BABIES YET UNBORN.
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER VOS, ASSEMBLY
MAJORITY LEADER STEINKE,
ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER HINTZ,
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
FITZGERALD.
SENATE MINORITY LEADER
SCHILLING AND MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATOR.
ESPECIALLY THE TWO NEW MEMBERS
SWORN IN TODAY.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES,
ABRAHAMSON, REBECCA BRADLEY,
WALSHE BRADLEY AND JUSTICE
KELLY, WE THANK YOU.
ATTORNEY GENERAL SCHIMEL,
CABINET MEMBERS, DPI STATE
SUPERINTENDENT EVERS AND ALL
OTHER DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS
SERVING IN MANY VARIOUS
CAPACITIES AS SERVANTS OF OUR
GREAT WISCONSIN PUBLIC.
WE THANK YOU AND I GIVE YOU OUR
WARMEST WELCOMES.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO --
[APPLAUSE]
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WELCOME
AND INTRODUCE THE LEADERS OF
OUR 11 TRIBAL NATIONS LOCATED
IN WHAT IS NOW CALLED WISCONSIN.
I SAY MAY -- AS I CALL YOUR
NAME PLEASE RISE.
THESE ESTEEMED LEADERS INCLUDE
PRESIDENT WILFRID CLEVELAND,
HOCHUNK NATION.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
CHAIRMAN DOUGLAS COX, MENOMINEE
INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
PRESIDENT SHANNON HOLSEY,
STROCK BRIDGE MUNSEE
COMMUNITIES.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
CHAIRMAN TEHASSI HILL, ONEIDA
NATION.
CHAIRMAN CHRIS MCGESHICK,
SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
CHAIRMAN RICHARD PETERSON, RED
CLIFF BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
AND THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN FOR ST.
CROIX COULD NOT MAKE IT SO HE
SENT TRIBAL ADMINISTRATOR LOUIS
TAYLOR, ST. CROIX CHIPPEWA
INDIANS OF WISCONSIN.
[APPLAUSE]
THIS IS NOT A TYPO, THE NEXT
ONE CHAIRMAN I'M SAYING THIS
FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW CHAIRMAN
LOUIS TAYLOR, LAC COURTE
OREILLES BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH WILDCAT SENIOR
FROM THE LAC DU FLAMBEAU BAND
OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA
INDIANS, AND CHAIRMAN NED DALL
YELLS JUNIOR, FOREST COUNTY
POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY.
[APPLAUSE]
WELCOME TO ALL LEADERS, STATE
AND TRIBAL.
WE HONOR YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
TO THE PEOPLE.
WE USE THIS OPPORTUNITY, WE
HOPE TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
BRING OUR COMMUNITIES AND GREAT
STATE CLOSER.
WE MAY NOT THINK OF OURSELVES
AS NEIGHBORS, BROTHERS AND
SISTERS TODAY, BUT JUST THINK
BACK TO ANY TRAGEDY THAT HAS
BEFALLEN AMERICA OR WISCONSIN.
LET'S REMEMBER THE DAYS AFTER
THE 9/11 TRAGEDY.
REMEMBER THAT?
WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW FOR A FEW
FLEETING DAYS AND WEEKS THE
BEAUTIFUL UNITY OF OUR STRENGTH
AND TOGETHERNESS THAT IS INSIDE
OF US ALL.
YOU REMEMBER THAT?
MY RELATIVES, WE TRULY ARE
RELATED.
AND ON THE SAME TEAM.
BUT SOMETIMES WE JUST DON'T
REALIZE IT WITHOUT THAT COMMON
CAUSE.
LET ME START THEN ON A PATH TO
GET US TO UNITING.
FIRST WE MUST UNDERSTAND EACH
OTHER.
PLEASE DON'T THINK I'M
SCOLDING, JUDGING OR LECTURING.
I'M AN EDUCATOR HAVING TAUGHT
AS A K-12 TEACHER, VICE
PRINCIPAL.
SUPERINTENDENT, CURRICULUM
DIRECTOR AND VP DEAN OF STUDENT
SERVICES IN A COLLEGE.
SO HUMOR ME.
[LAUGHTER]
HERE IS THE PRIMER.
NATIVE NATIONS 101.
LET'S START WITH SOME
TERMINOLOGY AND YOU WILL BE
GRADED LATER ON THIS.
MR. SPEAKER, NO PEEKING AT MY
NOTES HERE.
YOU HEAR ME SPEAK OF THIS GREAT
STATE BY NAME, THAT IS BECAUSE
WE ARE TAUGHT TO USE MENOMINEE
LANGUAGE WHEN WE CAN.
WISCONSIN COMES FOR THE ANCIENT
MENOMINEE NAME FOR THIS GREAT
LAND AND THAT'S WESKOHSEK,
WHICH MEANS A GOOD PLACE TO
LIVE.
[APPLAUSE]
FURTHER THAT MEANING IS THAT IT
IS GOOD LAND, HAS PLENTY OF
FRESHWATER, MEDICINES FOR OUR
USE, PLENTY OF FISH AND GAME,
MUCH FRESH AIR AND A PRETTY
DARN GOOD PROFESSIONAL
FOOTBALL TEAM.
[APPLAUSE]
NEXT YOU'LL HEAR ME SAY NATIONS.
YOU WILL HEAR ME SAY THAT A LOT.
DEMOGRAPHICALLY WE ARE A
MINORITY AND FACE MANY OF THE
CHALLENGES OF OTHER MINORITIES
LIVING IN A MAJORITY SOCIETY.
BUT WE ARE NOT SIMPLY A
MINORITY GROUP LIKE OTHERS.
WE ARE DIFFERENT.
NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE SPECIAL
INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES IN
THE ISSUES WE ALL FACE.
BUT WE ARE NOT SIMPLY ANOTHER
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP.
WE ARE DIFFERENT.
DIFFERENT BECAUSE NATIVE
AMERICANS ARE CITIZENS OF THEIR
OWN NATIONS.
AS WELL AS CITIZENS OF
WISCONSIN AND CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES.
NATIONS THAT EXISTED LONG
BEFORE THERE WAS A UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA AND LONG
BEFORE THERE WAS A STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
AND OUR STATUS AS NATIONS IS
RECOGNIZED BY FEDERAL LAW.
WE ARE 11 NATIONS IN THE STATE
OF WESKOHSEK AND ABOUT 571
NATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.
AS NATIONS, WE TO A GREAT
EXTENT GOVERN OURSELVES.
WE MAKE OUR OWN LAWS, RUN OUR
OWN GOVERNMENTS AND IN THE CASE
OF MENOMINEE, PROVIDE OUR OWN
COURTS, JAILS AND PUNISHMENTS
BOTH SIEVELY AND CRIMINALLY.
WE ASK TO BE RECOGNIZED AS
NATIONS WHEN WE REACH OUT TO
WORK WITH YOU.
MY DAUGHTER, KARA, WHO IS UP
HERE WHO ATTENDS UW-MADISON
ALONG WITH HER SISTER, MELISSA,
WHO IS ALSO UP HERE AND BROTHER
LUKE WHO YOU JUST HEARD HERE
ALSO ATTENDS UW-MADISON AND
GIVE OUR INVOCATION, AND THEIR
ALUMNI BROTHER AARON, AND THEIR
MOTHER AND MYSELF, WE'RE ALL
BADGERS.
[APPLAUSE]
WELL, ANYWAY, KARA RECENTLY SAT
IN HER FIRST SESSIONS OF AN
AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES CLASS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
HERE AND THE STUDENTS WERE
GIVEN AN UNGRADED TEST YOUR
KNOWLEDGE TYPE OF INTRODUCTORY
QUIZ.
IT GAVE TRUE AND FALSE
STATEMENTS ABOUT INDIANS.
AND I'M DISAPPOINTED HOW SHE
SAID MANY ANSWERED THE
FOLLOWING AS TRUE.
SO HERE IT GOES.
THINGS LIKE NATIVE AMERICANS IN
THE STATE DON'T PAY ANY TAXES.
TRUE OR FALSE.
THEY PUT TRUE.
NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE A GENETIC
DISPOSITION TO BE ALCOHOLICS,
TRUE OR FALSE.
YES, AND THEY PUT TRUE.
THE NATIVE AMERICANS IN
WISCONSIN ARE ONE BIG TRIBE.
TRUE OR FALSE.
THAT'S AGAIN FALSE.
NATIVE AMERICAN CHAIRPERSONS
ARE ALL GOOD LOOKING.
[LAUGHTER]
FALSE.
THAT ONE IS FALSE.
[LAUGHTER]
NOW, IF WE SAID ALL FORMER
TRIBAL CHAIRPERSONS ARE GOOD
LOOKING, OBVIOUSLY.
[LAUGHTER]
BUT WE ARE DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE
NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
I HAD A CLASS HERE AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IN THE
1990s AND WAS ASKED TO
CRITICALLY REVIEW ALL NATIVE
REFERENCES IN THE THEN CURRENT
MAINSTREAM SOCIAL STUDIES TEXT.
SO I'M REVIEWING ALL THESE
TEXTBOOKS AND WHAT I FOUND WAS
OVER 90% OF THE REFERENCES TO
US, TO NATIVE AMERICANS, WERE
ONLY IN THE PAST TENSE.
THEY WERE LIKE TEACHING ABOUT
ANCIENT GREEKS OR ANCIENT
ROMANS.
YOU CAN SEE WHY WE ASK THAT
RACE-BASED MASCOTS MUST BE
REMOVED FROM OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
[APPLAUSE]
AND AGAIN I'M NOT PREACHING,
BUT NOT ONLY ARE THEY HURTFUL
TO OUR CHILDREN, BUT THESE
STEREOTYPES, THEY PROPAGATE
THOSE STEREOTYPES THAT WERE IN
THE PAST WHEN WE SEE THOSE AND
OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO ENDURE
WITH THOSE.
HELP US OUT.
BACK TO THE 1990s.
THE TEXTBOOK REVIEW I DID.
IT HAD THINGS LIKE NATIVE
AMERICANS LIVED AT ONE TIME IN
WISCONSIN.
THAT'S WHAT IT SAID.
NATIVE AMERICANS HAD
CONTRIBUTED GREATLY.
NATIVE AMERICANS WERE ONCE
GREAT WARRIORS.
WELL, I'M HERE TO SAY WE'RE NOT
PAST TENSE REFERENCES.
LET'S REVIEW JUST THESE THREE
PAST TENSE REFERENCES THAT I
GOT FROM THE BOOK.
ONE, NATIVE AMERICANS LIVED AT
ONE TIME IN WISCONSIN.
YES, WE DID, ALMOST 15,000
YEARS.
BUT WE'RE STILL HERE ON 11
SEPARATE SOVEREIGN TERRITORIES
OR RESERVATIONS.
NATIVE AMERICANS HAD
CONTRIBUTED GREATLY.
YOU BETTER BELIEVE WE DID.
BUT WE STILL CONTRIBUTE TODAY
WITH JOBS, TAXES, AND SERVE AS
THE LARGEST ECONOMIC ENGINES IN
THE MAJORITY OF COUNTIES THAT
EXTEND INTO OUR LANDS.
AND A THIRD --
[APPLAUSE]
AND THE THIRD, THE FINAL THAT
I'LL USE AS AN EXAMPLE.
NATIVE AMERICANS WERE ONCE
GREAT WARRIORS.
YES, WE WERE BUT WE STILL ARE
GREAT WARRIORS.
[APPLAUSE]
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR ALL
TRIBAL NATIONS COLOR GUARD AND
ASK ANY OTHER VETERAN
REGARDLESS OF SKIN COLOR, SEX,
RACE OR CREED TO PLEASE STAND
AND BE RECOGNIZED AT THIS TIME.
ANY VETERANS.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO
OUR GREAT NATION.
NATIVE AMERICANS PROUDLY HAVE
THE HIGHEST RATE OF SERVICE OF
ANY RACE AND MENOMINEE COUNTY,
WHICH SHARES ALMOST BOUNDARIES
EXTERIOR BOUNDARIES WITH
MENOMINEE RESERVATIONS IS
LISTED AS ONE OF THE LARGEST
SERVICE COLONIES IN THE WHOLE
UNITED STATES.
[APPLAUSE]
AND YOU SHOULD BE PROUD TO KNOW
WISCONSIN HAS THE HONOR OF
HOSTING THREE TRIBES AS CODE
TALKER UNITS.
EVERYONE THINKS IT'S JUST
NAVAJO BUT THERE WERE MANY.
THERE ARE PROBABLY 33, 36 CODE
TALKER UNITS IN THE WHOLE
UNITED STATES.
YOU HAVE THREE OF THEM HERE IN
WISCONSIN.
HOCHUNK, MENOMINEE, ONEIDA.
[APPLAUSE]
MOST OF OUR LANGUAGES ARE
NATIVE LANGUAGES DO NOT HAVE
ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS.
WE'RE BACK TO TEACHING YOU A
LITTLE HERE.
LIKE FOR THE WORD PLEASE, TODAY
IT DENOTES GOOD MANNERS.
BUT IF YOU WERE ASKED TO DO
SOMETHING AND YOU COULD, IT WAS
EXPECTED YOU WOULD DO IT.
YOU JUST WOULD.
THAT'S HOW OUR LANGUAGE AND
THAT'S HOW WE RELATED TO EACH
OTHER.
SO WHEN YOU HEAR US ASKING
DIRECTLY ASKS OF YOU, THAT'S
HOW WE WERE TAUGHT.
DON'T WASTE PEOPLE'S TIME.
IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THEY
COULD DO IF YOU ASK.
ONE MORE EXAMPLE THE MENOMINEE
AND I'M SURE OTHER NATIONS DO
NOT HAVE A WORD FOR NATURAL
RESOURCES.
TO US EVERYTHING IS ALIVE, THE
FOREST ANIMALS, WE CALL THEM
THE LIVING SPIRIT BEINGS.
IF WE CALL THEM NATURAL
RESOURCES, TO US THAT MEANS NOW
ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY ARE A
COMMODITY AND SOMETHING TO BE
TRADED, SOMETHING TO BE TURNED
INTO A PROFIT AND WE NEVER SAW
THE WORLD LIKE THAT.
THEY ARE ALL LIVING BEINGS.
ALL THESE ARE LIVING THINGS.
SO THERE IS A DIFFERENCE WHEN
WE LOOK AT THE WORLD AND THAT'S
WHAT I'M TRYING TO IMPART SOME
-- THIS IS HOW MY RELATIVES SEE
THE WORLD ALSO.
NOW WE KNOW WE ARE PART OF A
BIGGER INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD.
WE AREN'T LUDITES.
WE'RE ON OUR PHONES.
I DROVE A CAR DOWN HERE AND
DIDN'T RUN.
BACK IN THE DAY I COULD HAVE.
WE KNOW SOCIETY MUST USE
RESOURCES TODAY.
WE KNOW THAT.
BUT WE TRY TO DO THAT IN A MORE
SUSTAINABLE WAY IN A TRADE-OFF.
YOU KNOW, WE JUST SEE THE WORLD
DIFFERENTLY.
WE AREN'T ENEMIES.
PLEASE NEVER THINK OF US AS
ENEMIES.
WE SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENT.
I'LL COME BACK TO THAT THOUGHT
LATER THOUGH.
SO THEN WE DO, THOUGH, HAVE A
MILLION WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU.
[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
I WOULD LIKE TO USE THAT TONE
NOW TO SWITCH TO DISCUSS SOME
OF THE SUCCESSES WE'VE HAD THIS
PAST YEAR COLLABORATING WITH
AND IN CONSULTATION WITH ONE
ANOTHER IN A NATION TO NATION,
GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT
PROCESS.
I'LL NAME A COUPLE OF SUCCESSES
HERE TO START.
OUR FIRST SUCCESS IS WISCONSIN
HAS BEEN A LEADER AND MODEL IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE
TRIBAL CONSULTATION POLICY.
IT IS BASED ON EXECUTIVE ORDER
39 WHICH WAS SIGNED IN 2004 AND
IT CONTINUES TO BE HONORED BY
OUR CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.
IT PROVIDES THE FORUM FOR THE
EXECUTIVE CABINET AGENCIES TO
CONSULT WITH OUR NATIONS.
WE MEET WITH ALL AGENCIES
ANNUALLY AND IN THE CASE OF
DHS, DCF, DNR WE MEET MORE
OFTEN.
WE'LL SOON BEGIN CONSULTATIONS
WITH THE NON-CABINET AGENCY DPI.
FOR THE MOST PART THE
CONSULTATIONS HAVE BEEN HELPFUL
IN WORKING OUT ISSUES FOR THE
BENEFIT OF BOTH THE STATE AND
THE TRIBES.
WE KEEP EMPHASIZING TO AGENCIES
THE NEED TO GIVE US A HEADS-UP
WHEN ANY NEW ADMINISTRATIVE
RULES, POLICIES OR STATUTES
AFFECTING OUR NATIONS ARE BEING
CONSIDERED.
WE WANT TO ASK YOU THAT AS
STATE LEGISLATORS, YOU DO SO AS
WELL.
THEN WHAT MORE COULD WE ASK FOR
REGARDING THE CONSULTATION?
FOLLOW THIS MODEL.
FREE PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT.
FREE PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT
PRINCIPLES MUST GUIDE OUR
CONSULTATIONS AND SERVE AS THAT
MODEL FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO
GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS.
FREE AS IN NOT COERCED.
PRIOR AS IN CONSENT SOUGHT IN
ADVANCE.
INFORMED AS IN PROVIDING ALL
NEEDED INFORMATION, AND CONSENT
AS IN THE COLLECTIVE DECISION
MADE BY THE RIGHT HOLDERS AND
REACHED THROUGH THEIR CUSTOMARY
DECISION PROCESS.
LET US HELP IN MAKING OF LAW OR
ADMINISTRATIVE RULE THAT
IMPACTS US.
THAT WAS NUMBER ONE.
THE CONSULTATION PROCESS,
EXECUTIVE ORDER 39.
THANK YOU.
NOW THAT RELATES TO OUR NEXT
TOPIC OF SUCCESS, THE SECOND
ONE IS THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
STATE TRIBAL RELATIONS.
THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
SERVES TO PROVIDE THE
LEGISLATURE WITH LEGAL ADVICE,
GUIDANCE AND RESEARCH ON TOUGH
ISSUES TO BE -- AND TO
RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON STATE
TRIBAL RELATIONS IS LED BY
CHAIR REPRESENTATIVE CHEF
MURSAU AND KATHLEEN VINEHOUT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS.
[APPLAUSE]
THE COMMITTEE IS A PROGRESSIVE
LEGISLATIVE FORUM DESIGNED TO
PROVIDE TRIBAL NATIONS INPUT
INTO DEVELOPING LEGISLATION
WHEN DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS
ON SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT IMPACT
TRIBAL NATIONS.
WE KNOW THE STATE LEGISLATURE
WILL SOON COMPLETE ITS
2017-2018 SESSION.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF
RECENT LEGISLATION DEVELOPED BY
STUDY COMMITTEES THAT WE'RE
PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN -- THAT
HAVE BEEN WORKING THEIR WAY
THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES.
TRIBAL I.D.s.
EACH TRIBAL CITIZEN TODAY HOLDS
A TRIBALLY-ISSUED PHOTO
IDENTIFICATION CARD THAT IS
RECOGNIZED BY THE TRIBE AND BY
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THIS BILL WHICH YOU WILL BE
VOTING ON LATER TODAY IN THE
ASSEMBLY WILL ALLOW TRIBAL
MEMBERS TO USE THEIR TRIBAL
I.D.s FOR CERTAIN SIMILAR
PURPOSES TO THAT OF A WISCONSIN
DRIVER'S LICENSE.
THINGS LIKE PICKING UP
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION AT
PHARMACIES.
USING IT FOR REGISTERING TO
VOTE, AND USING IT FOR ALCOHOL
OR CIGARETTE PURCHASES.
YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THE TAD
BILL, OR TREATMENT AND
DIVERSION GRANTS.
THIS BILL WILL CLARIFY THAT
TRIBES ARE ELIGIBLE TORE TAD
GRANTS EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THAT
TRIBAL ELIGIBILITY HAS ALREADY
BEEN RECOGNIZED.
ANOTHER ASSAULT ON TRIBAL
POLICE ON JUDGES.
THIS IS ANOTHER PIECE OF
LEGISLATION.
IT AFFORDS EQUAL PROTECTION FOR
TRIBAL POLICE, JUDGES AND COURT
OFFICIALS AS IS CURRENTLY
ENJOYED BY ALL OTHER POLICE,
JUDGES AND COURT OFFICIALS IN
WISCONSIN.
IT'S AN EQUITY ISSUE.
THE INDIAN BURIAL MOUNDS BILL
IS SOMETHING TRIBES HAVE BEEN
WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON
DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS.
IT'S AN ISSUE VERY IMPORTANT TO
TRIBES IN WISCONSIN.
A B-1 18 IS THE PRODUCT OF MANY
MONTHS OF WORK BY ANOTHER STUDY
COMMITTEE ON THE PRESERVATION
OF BURIAL MOUNDS.
THE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
INCLUDED THE TRIBAL HILLS TORE
I CAN PRESERVATION OFFICERS
FROM MENOMINEE ON HOCHUNK.
THANK YOU FOR THEIR INCLUSION.
THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRED LONG
HOURS, TOUGH NEGOTIATION AND
COMPROMISE.
IN THE END, NO ONE GOT
EVERYTHING THEY WANTED BUT THE
PROCESS WAS FAIR AND DELIBERATE.
REPRESENTATIVE AMY LOUDENBECK
CHAIRED THE COMMITTEE AND IS
GUIDING IT THROUGH THE PROCESS.
[APPLAUSE]
THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT
OF AN ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE,
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR ON A
VOICE VOTE AND HAS NOW PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF A SENATE
COMMITTEE.
WE'RE JUST WAITING AND HOPING
IT GETS SCHEDULED FOR THE
SENATE FLOOR VERY SOON.
[LAUGHTER]
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
FITZGERALD.
I WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK AT YOU.
I WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK AT YOU
WHEN I SAID THAT.
A NEW LAW THAT WAS NOT
INITIATED BY A STUDY COMMITTEE
BUT IS IMPORTANT TO TRIBES IS
ACT 100 OR THE HEMP BILL.
UNDER ACT 100, THAT --
[APPLAUSE]
UNDER ACT 100, THAT CAP IS
MANDATED AND CURRENTLY
FINALIZING ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
THAT MAY APPROVE FOR PLANTING
OF HEMP CROPS AS EARLY AS THIS
SPRING.
WHILE WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO
INCLUDE TRIBAL INVOLVEMENT AT A
SEPARATE AND EQUAL LEVEL, WE'RE
STILL GLAD IT GOT PASSED AND
WE'LL PARTICIPATE IN THIS GREAT
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY.
I SAY -- I THANK YOU THE
REPRESENTATIVES FOR THAT HELP.
[APPLAUSE]
AND BY THE WAY, THE FEDS RAIDED
MENOMINEE'S HEMP TWO YEARS AGO
WONDERING IF ATTORNEY GENERAL
SCHIMEL MAYBE KNOWS MAYBE WHERE
THEY BURIED IT.
[LAUGHTER]
OKAY.
IN THE LAST STATE BUDGET,
FUNDING FOR TRIBAL ADOLESCENT
TREATMENT CENTERS WERE
DISCUSSED.
WE ARE NOT WALKING ALONE IN
THIS EFFORT TO FIGHT THE
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE CRISIS
IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
WHETHER TRIBAL COMMUNITY OR
SMALL TOWN WISCONSIN OR BIG
CITY WISCONSIN, WE KNOW THAT
DRUGS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES.
THE STATE BUDGET INCLUDED
$200,000 FOR A FEASIBILITY PLAN
FOR A TRIBAL NATION'S
ADOLESCENT TREATMENT AND
WELLNESS CENTER.
ONE CENTRALLY LOCATED, SHARED
CENTER.
WE SAY THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
SO WE SAY THANK YOU AND AS WE
MOVE FORWARD WE HOPE THAT
LEGISLATURE CAN CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO HELP OUR
YOUTH WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUG
SOBRIETY AND CONTINUE TO HELP
US COMBAT THIS PLAGUE THAT HAS
INVADED OUR COMMUNITIES
STATEWIDE.
ON ANOTHER ISSUE IS ACT 31.
YOU WILL HEAR US REFER TO ACT
31 AS IT RELATES TO PUBLIC
SCHOOL EDUCATION REGARDING OUR
11 TRIBAL NATIONS.
THE TRIBAL NATIONS ARE
DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS TO
STRENGTHEN ACT 31 WITHOUT
ADDING UNDUE WORK FOR TEACHERS
AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
WE HOPE TO HAVE LEGISLATION
READY FOR NEXT SESSION TO
ADDRESS THE HISTORY, CULTURE,
SOVEREIGNTY AND TREATY RIGHTS
OF THE 11 TRIBAL NATIONS.
REMEMBER, AN EDUCATED CHILD IS
A CHILD READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO
A JUST SOCIETY, TO COMPETE WITH
OR TO GROW THE ECONOMY WITH
THEIR NEIGHBORS.
THESE AMENDMENTS PROVIDE THE
TOOLS TO DO JUST THAT.
THE WISCONSIN INDIAN EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION, A GROUP OF
VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONALS FROM
ACROSS THE STATE, ARE WORKING
HARD ON THESE IMPROVEMENTS.
WIEA, THE TRIBES THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
ON CHARTER SCHOOLS LET ME SPEAK
FOR THE 11 TRIBAL NATIONS WHEN
I SAW THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.
IN 2015 WHEN YOU EXPANDED
CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZATION TO
THE TWO TRIBAL COLLEGES IN OUR
STATE.
THE COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATION
AND LAC COURTE OREILLES OJIBIWA
COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND ALLOWED
THEM TO SPONSOR UP TO SIX TOTAL
CHARTER SCHOOLS BETWEEN THEM.
[APPLAUSE]
THE TRIBAL COLLEGES HAVE BEEN
APPROACHED ABOUT PLANNING FOR
THE POTENTIAL REQUEST FOR
CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH MANY
DIFFERENT THEMES, ALL AIMED AT
IMPROVING CULTURAL IDENTITY AND
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF
EDUCATION.
BASED ON THE CHARTER SCHOOL
AUTHORIZATION AND LONG-RANGE
STRATEGIC PLANNING, MENOMINEE
HAS USED PRECIOUS TRIBAL
FUNDING TO CREATE A MENOMINEE
LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM.
WE ARE TEACHING YOUNG ADULTS
OUR LANGUAGE TO PREPARE THEM TO
BE INSTRUCTORS IN A POTENTIAL
MENOMINEE LANGUAGE IMMERSION
CHARTER SCHOOL.
MY SON, LUKE, WHO GAVE TODAY'S
INVOCATION, IS A PRODUCT OF
THAT IMMERSION PROGRAM AND IS A
JUNIOR IN LINGUISTICS AT
UW-MADISON.
WE DEVELOP MORE ADULT SPEAKERS
TO BE TEACHERS.
ANOTHER TRIBAL IMMERSION
SCHOOLS TODAY INCLUDE K-7
SCHOOL IN LAC COURTE OREILLES,
HOCHUNK IMMERSION DAYCARE AND
LAC DU FLAMBEAU.
MAY THOSE WORDS NEVER CEASE.
LEGISLATORS --
[APPLAUSE]
LEGISLATORS THIS IS BUT AN
EXAMPLE WHEN WE COME FORWARD
WITH ASKS, THIS IS BUT AN
EXAMPLE.
YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED THE
DOORS YOU OPEN FOR OUR YOUNG
MEN AND WOMEN WHEN WE HAVE THAT
OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THESE
NICHES.
THANK YOU.
IF WE HAVE ANY IMMERSION
STUDENTS, TEACHERS OR PARENTS
HERE TODAY INVOLVED IN THAT
PUSH, CAN YOU PLEASE STAND AND
BE RECOGNIZED?
[APPLAUSE]
OKAY.
SAFE HAVEN BILL AMENDMENTS A
B-1 13 IS OUR BIGGEST
DISAPPOINTMENT WITH BILLS
RECOMMENDED BY THE SPECIAL
COMMITTEE ON STATE TRIBAL
RELATIONS.
WE HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO
IMPROVE THE SAFE HAVEN LAW TO
INSURE THAT LAW MAINTAINS
ANONYMITY BUT CONSISTENT WITH
THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT,
WICWA AND ICWA ARE STATE AND
FEDERAL LAWS MEANT TO PROTECT
THE BEST INTERESTS OF INDIAN
CHILDREN AND TO PROMOTE
STABILITY AND SECURITY OF
INDIAN FAMILIES AND TRIBES.
IT IS OUR HOPE THAT YOU WILL
RECOGNIZE THE CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY THAT COMES WITH A
NATIVE AMERICAN CHILD AND
RESPECT THE MODEST IMPROVEMENTS
THE TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE
REQUESTED TO ASSIST IN THE
IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION
OF ALL OUR CHILDREN.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE BILL HAS RUN
INTO DELAYS IN THE LEGISLATIVE
PROCESS.
LET ME MOVE NOW TO SPECIFIC
ISSUES AND CONCERNS LYING AHEAD
OF US ALL AND WHAT WE ASK OF
OUR STATE LEGISLATORS.
DRUG TESTING FOR MEDICAID
ELIGIBILITY.
THOUGH NOT YET GRANTED, A
WAIVER FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, WE ARE CONCERNED
ABOUT THE UNINTENDED IMPACT OF
BADGERCARE CHILDLESS ADULT
REFORMS ON TRIBAL HEALTHCARE
BUDGETS.
WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE HIGH
RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND LOW
JOB OPPORTUNITIES ON OUR RURAL
RESERVATIONS.
AND THE NEED TO GET OUR MEMBERS
READY FOR WORK.
WE FEAR THAT THE LACK OF JOB
OPPORTUNITIES AND THREAT OF
DRUG TESTING WILL SIMPLY SHIFT
THE COST OF HEALTHCARE FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE
TRIBES.
THAT IS BECAUSE TODAY WHEN THE
TRIBAL CLINIC PROVIDES CERTAIN
TYPES OF CARE TO A TRIBAL
MEMBER ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID,
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS
100% OF THAT COST, NOT THE
STATE OR THE TRIBE.
IF THAT SAME TRIBAL MEMBER GOES
TO THE SAME TRIBAL CLINIC BUT
IS REMOVED FROM MEDICAID
ELIGIBILITY OR AVOIDS MEDICAID
ELIGIBILITY, THEN FEDERAL
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE OR TRIBAL
FUNDING MUST PAY FOR THAT
INDIVIDUAL.
AND IN TOTAL THE FEDERAL INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE, WHICH IS A
TREATY AND TRUST
RESPONSIBILITY, THAT FUNDING
POT ONLY COVERS ON AVERAGE 60%
OF THE TRIBAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS.
SO HERE IS THE PROBLEM.
RATHER THAN MOVING AWAY FROM
THE RESERVATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
OR TAKING A DRUG TEST TO KEEP
THEIR MEDICAID BENEFITS, THE
TRIBAL MEMBER INSTEAD SHOWS UP
AT A TRIBAL CLINIC FOR MEDICAL
TREATMENT AND THE TRIBAL CLINIC
MUST PAY FOR THE COST FROM ITS
OWN LIMITED FUNDS.
THAT MIGHT NOT BE A PROBLEM FOR
SOME TRIBES, BUT FOR MOST WE
CANNOT AFFORD THAT.
SO WE CONTINUE TO TELL THE FEDS
TO NOT APPROVE THAT PORTION OF
THE STATE'S WAIVER REQUEST.
TRIBAL LEADERS ARE PLEASED WITH
FAMILY CARE.
THAT FAMILY CARE IS NOW BEING
EXPANDED STATEWIDE.
WE'RE WORKING WITH DHS AND THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THAT
PROGRAM WORK BETTER FOR OUR
TRIBAL MEMBERS.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE SERVICES
PROVIDED NEED TO BE CULTURALLY
CENTERED AND TRIBALLY
CONTROLLED.
IF WE CAN DO THAT, WE CAN KEEP
THEM OUT OF THE RETIREMENT
HOMES OR THE AGING FACILITIES,
THE HIGH-CARE FACILITIES THAT
COST THE STATE AND TRIBE A LOT
OF MONEY.
WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP COSTS DOWN
BY DOING THIS AND THIS WORKS.
WE ARE HOPEFUL WE CAN GET THIS
WORKED OUT AND HAVE THE FAMILY
CARE WITH TRIBAL OPTIONS
AVAILABLE AND WE HAVE A
TARGETED IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF
JULY 1, 2018.
TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS ARE FACING
THE TERRIBLE OPIOID CRISIS JUST
LIKE THE REST OF THE STATE.
WE APPLAUD THE EFFORTS MADE BY
REPRESENTATIVE NYGREN AND
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KLEEFISCH.
TRIBES ARE IN A UNIQUE
SITUATION WHEN IT COMES TO
QUALIFYING FOR THE
STATE-TARGETED RESPONSE OPIOID
CRISIS GRANTS.
TAKE A NOTE ON THIS ONE.
OUR CHALLENGE IS THE COLLECTION
OF DATA TO SUPPORT THE NEED.
BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE
FACILITIES OR WAIT LISTS, WE
CAN'T SHOW NEED TO GARNER GRANT
POINTS.
BUT LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE, OUR
NEED IS TREMENDOUS.
TRIBES ALSO REQUEST THAT THE
COUNTIES THAT DO RECEIVE THIS
SPECIAL GRANT FUNDING BE
REQUIRED TO WORK COOPERATIVELY
WITH THE TRIBES WITHIN THEIR
COUNTIES.
OUR CONCERN WITH CULTURALLY
BASED TREATMENT HOPEFULLY WILL
BE ADDRESSED WHEN OUR NO TRIBAL
NATIONS ADOLESCENT WELLNESS
CENTER, WHEN THAT IS
CONSTRUCTED WITH HELP FROM THE
STATE.
ON THE SUPPORTIVE FRONT, MANY
OF THE TRIBES HAVE DEVELOPED
TRIBAL ACTION PLANS TO HELP
COMBAT THE GROWING DRUG
EPIDEMIC AS WELL AS OTHER
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COMMUNITIES --
ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THESE TRIBAL ACTION PLANS ARE
COMMUNITY-WIDE STRATEGIES USING
ALL AVAILABLE TRIBAL PROGRAMS,
TRIBAL AGENCIES, TRIBAL
FUNDING, AND ARE CENTERED ON
PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
INCLUDING CULTURALLY RELEVANT
PROGRAMMING.
WE ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO HELP
US BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE AND
COOPERATION TO HELP MAKE SURE
OUR TRIBAL ACTION PLANS EFFORTS
TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE IN THEIR
SHARED COMMUNITIES STEPS
FORWARD AND CAN GROW.
LIKE ANY OTHER COMMUNITY, WE
KNOW OURS BEST.
WHEN WE PUT THESE PLANS
TOGETHER WE ASK FOR YOUR
ASSISTANCE.
MANY OF OUR TRIBAL ACTION PLANS
USE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AS A
COMPONENT OF THE PLANS.
WE ARE SEEING PRELIMINARY GOOD
RESULTS FROM THESE EFFORTS.
NOW CLOSELY RELATED TO OUR
HEALTH, THEN, IS ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH.
THIS IS PART OF THE REASON I
BELIEVE THAT MENOMINEE WAS
ASKED TO PROVIDE THIS SPEECH.
SO HERE IS BACK TO SOME OF THE
WORLDVIEW OF OURS.
THE TWO-LEGGED, THE
FOUR-LEGGED, THE FIN, THE WING,
THE PLANTS, WE'RE ALL RELATED.
WE'RE ALL RELATED.
SOME SAY WE'RE NOT.
WHEN I WAS FIRST VOTED ON OUR
TRIBAL LEGISLATURE SEVERAL OF
MY AUNTS AND UNCLES TOOK ME
ASIDE AND REMINDED ME OF MY
RESPONSIBILITIES.
I WAS TOLD WHEN I VOTE I AM TO
REMEMBER THAT I'M NOT JUST
VOTING FOR HUMANS, I'M ALSO
VOTING FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT
VOTE.
THE DEER CAN'T RAISE THE HOOF
AND SAY RESPECTFULLY MR.
CHAIRMAN I VOTE NO ON THIS ITEM.
THEY CAN'T.
NEITHER CAN A FISH, NEITHER CAN
A BIRD.
THEY CAN'T.
THEY CAN'T VOTE DIRECTLY.
IT IS TO OUR VOTE THAT WE
CONSIDER THEIR WELFARE AND VOTE
FOR WHAT IS THE NEGOTIATED BEST
CHOICE FOR ALL.
FURTHER, WE ARE TOLD WE HAVE A
COMPACT OF SORTS OR AN
AGREEMENT THAT WE MADE WAY BACK
WHEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS COULD
STILL COMMUNICATE, LONG, LONG
TIME AGO.
THESE ARE THE STORIES WE'RE
TOLD.
THAT COMPACT WAS THAT WE HUMANS
COULD HARVEST THE ANIMALS, THAT
THEY WOULD GIVE UP THEIR LIVES.
THE ANIMALS AND FISH AND OTHER
BEINGS BUT WE COULD ONLY TAKE
WHAT WE NEEDED FOR US AND FOR
OUR YOUNG TO SURVIVE.
AND WE IN TURN WOULD HELP
PROTECT THE SURVIVAL OF THEIR
HOMELANDS AND THEIR YOUNG.
IT WAS A TRADE-OFF.
IT WAS A COMPACT.
AND WE STILL HAVE THAT
RESPONSIBILITY TODAY.
SO THEN HERE ARE SOME OF OUR
CONCERNS.
FIRST, THE TRIBAL NATIONS NEED
YOU AND OUR DNR TO PROVIDE
STRONGER PROTECTIONS FOR THE
WILD HERDS OF DEER IN WISCONSIN
FROM CWD.
[APPLAUSE]
ONE OF OUR MAJOR CONCERNS IS
THE ADEQUACY OF GAME FARM
REGULATION.
WE THANK THE DNR FOR AGREEING
TO A NOTIFICATION PROCESS WITH
THE TRIBES REGARDING REPORTING
CWD TEST POSITIVES.
BUT THE QUESTION COMES NEXT,
WHAT ABOUT STRICTER ACTIONS
AFTER WE GET THE CWD POSITIVES?
THE OJIBWE ENJOY COURT-AFFIRMED
TREATY HUNTING, FISHING AND
GATHERING RIGHTS IN THE
NORTHERN THIRD OF WISCONSIN AND
THE OTHER TRIBES ENJOY THE SAME
RIGHTS ON OUR TRUST LANDS.
OUR TREATIES, CEDING THIS
BEAUTIFUL LAND OVER ALLOWS FOR
CERTAIN RIGHTS FOREVER.
THE LACK OF AN AGGRESSIVE,
COMMON SENSE PREVENTION AND
INTERVENTION PLAN REGARDING
STOPPING CWD PUTS OUR
COURT-AFFIRMED TREATY RIGHTS,
AS WELL AS WISCONSIN PUBLIC
TOURISM AND HUNTING IN PERIL.
NEXT I HAVE BEEN LEADING UP TO
THIS.
OUR PERSPECTIVE ON MINING.
NOW, CERTAIN TYPES OF MINING
SUCH AS GRAVEL MINES SEEM OKAY.
WHEN THE MINING MORATORIUM LAW
WAS PASSED IN 1998 OR THE PROVE
IT FIRST LAW AS IT WAS KNOWN IT
INCLUDED A COMMON SENSE
PROVISION THAT ANY MET ALLIC
SULFITE MINING ATTEMPTS IN
WISCONSIN MUST FIRST PROVE THAT
THE SAME TYPE OF MINING WAS
OPERATED FOR 10 YEARS AND THEN
CLOSED FOR 10 YEARS AND THERE
WAS NO ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION OR POLLUTION
EMANATING FROM IT.
SO BASICALLY WHEN TECHNOLOGY
CAUGHT UP WITH MINING AND COULD
PROVE IT COULD HAPPEN, AND IT
WOULDN'T HURT US OR THE
ENVIRONMENT WISCONSIN WOULD
AGREE TO MONITOR IT AND ALLOW
IT.
IT MAKES SENSE.
BUT THIS YEAR THE MINING
MORATORIUM LAW WAS REPEALED.
THIS REVERSAL OF MUCH OF THE
PROTECTIONS OF THE PROVE IT
FIRST LAW GOES AGAINST ALL OUR
KNOWLEDGE AND COMMON SENSE.
BUT AS WE SAID, WE'RE NOT
LUDITES.
WE UNDERSTAND A CERTAIN AMOUNT
OF RISK MIGHT BE TOLERATED IN
EXCHANGE FOR CERTAIN MINERALS
THAT HELP SOCIETY.
WE GET IT.
BUT WE DON'T THINK THAT
TECHNOLOGY DAY HAS COME YET.
WE AREN'T ALLOWED ETHICALLY TO
PUT OUR FUTURE BABY'S WORLD AT
HIGH RISK.
WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO.
YOU MUST LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES
SUCH AS RECYCLING OR NO MINES
NEAR WATER.
WE HAVE TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE.
WE HAVE NO CHOICE.
THAT'S OUR MORAL ETHICS AS
TRIBAL NATIONS.
AND PLEASE, WE ARE NO ONE'S
ENEMY WHEN WE OPPOSE THIS LAW
CHANGE.
WE ARE NOT DOING THIS TO ARGUE
OR MAKE ENEMIES.
THIS IS OUR MORAL GROUNDS AND
WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STAND
AND HOLD THEM.
[APPLAUSE]
WE HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS OVER
REDUCING STATE REGULATION OVER
CERTAIN TYPES OF WETLANDS AND
WE HAVE CONCERNS OVER ALTERING
THE BALANCE OF WILDLIFE IN OUR
FORESTS BY REMOVING THE ALPHA
PREDATORS, THE WOLVES FROM
THEIR RIGHTFUL ROLE IN KEEPING
THAT BALANCE.
[APPLAUSE]
FINALLY, I THOUGHT PEOPLE WOULD
CLAP WHEN I SAID FINALLY.
[LAUGHTER]
NYGREN, I'M WATCHING.
FINALLY, WE ARE DISAPPOINTED AT
OUR STATE'S INACTIONS REGARDING
THE POTENTIAL PERMITTING OF THE
ACQUILA BACK 40 OPEN PIT
SULFITE MAN ALONG THE MENOMINEE
RIVER IN MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN.
BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERSTATE,
INTERCOMERS BOUNDARY WATERWAY
WE BELIEVE THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT MISTAKENLY IS GIVEN
REGULATORY AUTHORITY TO THE
STATE OF MICHIGAN.
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN SEEMS TO
HAVE GIVEN AWAY THE CONCERNS OF
ITS CITIZENS TO ANOTHER STATE.
THE WATERS OF THIS INTERSTATE
WATERWAY DICTATE MANDATORY
FEDERAL AUTHORITY.
AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT,
EVERYBODY SHOULD CLAP BECAUSE
THAT MEANS WE ARE TRYING TO
REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK.
IT DOESN'T MEAN STOP IT
NECESSARILY.
WE WANT TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL
RISK TO ALL OF OUR WATERS FOR
ALL OF OUR BABIES.
THAT SHOULD BE A GOOD THING.
[APPLAUSE]
FOR THE MENOMINEE, CONSTRUCTION
OF THE MINE MEANS DESECRATION
AND DESTRUCTION OF BURIAL
MOUNDS, GRAVES AND SACRED SITES
ALONG AN EXTENDED ANCIENT
VILLAGE SETTING.
WE URGE OUR LEGISLATORS AND
AGENCIES TO HEED THE WARNING.
IF ALLOWED THIS OPEN PIT
SULFITE MINE LOCATED JUST 50
YARDS FROM THE MENOMINEE RIVER
ON THE MICHIGAN SIDE WILL PUT
EITHER NOW BY ACCIDENT OR LATER
BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS
EVENTUALLY, IN EVERY ONE OF
THESE TYPES OF MINES TO DATE,
IT WILL PUT TOXIC SULFURIC ACID
INTO THE GROUNDWATER THAT WILL
POLLUTE THE MENOMINEE RIVER,
GREEN BAY, AND LAKE MICHIGAN.
WISCONSIN'S HOMES AND
BUSINESSES AND TOURISM ALONG
THE RIVER AND LAKESHORE WILL BE
HARMED.
WOULD YOU SIT BACK AND I'M
ASKING THIS OF ANY LEGISLATOR,
NOT JUST THOSE LIVING ALONG
THAT WATERWAY.
WOULD YOU SIT BACK IF RISKY
ACTION WERE BEING TAKEN ON THE
MINNESOTA SIDE OF THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER OR THE ST.
CROIX RIVER THAT COULD IMPACT
YOUR HOME DISTRICT?
WOULD YOU ALLOW THAT?
WOULD YOU SIT BACK IF LAKE
SUPERIOR WERE THREATENED BY
SOME ACTION AGAIN IN MINNESOTA
OR IN ONTARIO, CANADA?
WE'VE GOT TO PROTECT ALL THE
SIDES AND ALL OF OUR
CONSTITUENTS.
HOPEFULLY WHEN THE STATE
LEGISLATURE RECONVENES FOR ITS
2019-2020 SESSION YOU WILL
CONSIDER THIS AND OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WE
VOICED TODAY.
IT IS MY HOPE.
MY RELATIVES, WE'RE TOLD THIS
PATH WE WALK IS HARD AND AS
HUMANS WE ARE NOT ALONE.
WE SHOULD SEE OURSELVES AS
STRANDS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL
ENVIRONMENT, NOT ABOVE IT.
HERE FOR A FLEETING MINUTE, AND
JOIN IN, NOT PUT IT AT RISK.
WE MUST JUST SEE THE WORLD
DIFFERENTLY.
WE AREN'T ENEMIES.
WE MUST JUST SEE THE WORLD
DIFFERENTLY.
AS TRIBAL LEADERS, WE HAVE
INHERITED A DIFFERENT
NON-NEGOTIABLE RESPONSIBILITY
TO OUR GREAT GRANDCHILDREN.
IT IS HOW WE LIVED ON THIS LAND
FOR ALMOST 15,000 YEARS.
SEVEN GENERATIONS AGO, MY
ANCESTORS BELIEVED IN THAT VERY
RULE AND HERE I STAND TODAY
BENEFITING FROM IT.
FROM THEIR SACRIFICE AND THEIR
WISDOM.
IF EVERY GENERATION WOULD
FOLLOW THIS RULE WE'RE
GUARANTEED A GOOD WORLD FOREVER.
SO THE TRIBAL NATIONS REACH OUT
TO YOU.
WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR
LANDS, LEARN ABOUT OUR
BUSINESSES, OUR LAWS, AND OUR
CULTURES.
IN REACHING OUT, I FINALLY
QUOTE HUNKPAPA LAKOTA SIOUX AND
CHIEF AND ELDER SITTING BULL,
1831-1890 WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT
THESE TYPES OF CHANGES AND
TRYING TO FIX WHAT HE COULD.
HE SAID, LET US PUT OUR MINDS
TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT LIFE WE
CAN MAKE FOR OUR CHILDREN.
AND WE ASK THAT OF YOU.
ALL MY RELATIVES, THANK YOU.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]