>> HELLO.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I CAN TALK LOUDER.
IT'S A REAL HONOR AND PLEASURE
TO STAND HERE BEFORE ALL OF YOU
IN THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
BEFORE I START, I WANTED TO SAY
THESE WORDS TO YOU IN THIS
LANGUAGE.
I WANT TO PRAY FOR OUR -- WE
WANT TO PRAY FOR OUR VETERANS.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY TO YOU PEOPLE
THAT ARE SITTING HERE IN YOUR
SUITS AND LOOKING REALLY NICE,
WE ASK FOR PEACE ON THIS WORLD.
WE DON'T WANT RUSSIA INVADING A
SOVEREIGN COUNTRY.
I WANT TO PRAY FOR OUR VETERANS
WITH THESE FLAGS.
THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL CEREMONY
THAT TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE OF HERE.
I WAS OBSERVING THIS.
A LADY RECEIVING AN EAGLE
FEATHER.
THAT'S THE HIGHEST HONOR A
PERSON CAN RECEIVE AND IT'S VERY
POWERFUL AND IT'S REWARDING FOR
THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
WE HONOR OUR VETERANS.
EVERY TIME WE HAVE A POWWOW, WE
HAVE OUR CEREMONIES, WE HONOR
OUR VETERANS.
SO I WANT TO SAY TO EACH AND
EVERY ONE OF YOU, HELP ME WITH
YOUR THOUGHTS, PRAY FOR YOUR
LOVED ONES, THE ONES THAT ARE
SICK, THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY
GONE HOME, OUR PAST, OUR FUTURE,
OUR PRESENT.
OUR PEOPLE THAT ARE DYING FROM
OPIOID USE AND ABUSE.
THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING
AROUND THIS WORLD, THESE ARE
THINGS THAT WE THINK ABOUT WHEN
WE SAY THESE CULTURE AND OUR
TRADITIONAL WAYS.
SO I WANT TO SAY THESE WORDS
BRIEFLY IN THIS LANGUAGE SO YOU
CAN UNDERSTAND AND COMPREHEND
WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT UP HERE
TODAY.
I WANT TO ALSO SPEAK FOR OUR
LADIES, THE MEN, THE WOMEN, THE
CHILDREN, OUR AUNTIES, OUR
UNCLES, OUR RELATIVES.
AND SO I WANT TO ASK YOU, THINK
ABOUT THE ONES THAT YOU LOVE,
THE ONES THAT YOU CARE FOR AND
THE ONES THAT YOU RESPECT SO
WITH THAT, I WANT TO SAY THESE
FEW WORDS WITH YOU.
I ASK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.
>> PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I ASK EACH OF TO YOU PLACE YOUR
RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART AND
RECITE WITH ME THE PLEDGE.
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
JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU.
FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS THE
CALL OF ROLL.
THERE ARE 90 MEMBERS PRESENT.
A QUORUM IS PRESENT.
GENTLEMEN FROM THE 45TH.
>> ASKING CONTENT FOR A LEAVE
FOR THE BALANCE OF THE DAY FOR
THE LADY FROM THE EIGHTH, THE
LADY FROM THE NINTH, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM THE TENTH AND THE
LADY FROM THE 71ST AND A
TEMPORARY LEAVE FOR THE
GENTLEMAN FROM THE 54TH.
>> LEAVE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE
DAY BE GRANTED FOR THE WOMEN OF
THE 8TH AND THE 9TH.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
TEMPORARY LEAVE HAS REQUESTED
FROM THE GENTLEMAN OF 594TH.
HEARING NONE, IT IS ALSO
ORDERED.
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO CONTINUE THE
TRADITION THAT WAS BEGAN ALMOST
20 YEARS AGO WHERE OUR TRIBAL
LEADERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
COME FORWARD AND TO EXPLAIN TO
US THE ISSUES AND THE PRIORITIES
AND THE CONCERNS OF OUR FIRST
NATIONS.
SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO
CALL PRESIDENT SHANNON HOLSEY
WHO WILL ADDRESS THE LEGISLATURE
TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SUCH A HUMBLE PLEASURE TO BE
HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
GOOD AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR EVERS,
LT. GOVERNOR BARNES, SPEAKER
VOS, PRESIDENT KAPENGA, MEMBERS
OF THE SENATE, MEMBERS OF THE
STATE ASSEMBLY, CONSTITUTIONAL
OFFICERS, CABINET SECRETARIES,
JUSTICES OF THE WISCONSIN
SUPREME COURT, FELLOW TRIBAL
LEADERS, ESTEEMED ELDERS, AND
OTHER HONORED GUESTS, I WANT TO
THANK THE TRIBAL LEADERSHIP FOR
GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO
STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, TO
CELEBRATE AND HONOR OUR ELDERS,
VETERANS, FAMILIES, AND
VETERANS, FAMILIES, AND YOUTH
AND TO RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF
THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US, AND TO
BESTOW THOSE BLESSINGS ON THOSE
WHO WILL FOLLOW US. ALONG WITH
GOVERNOR EVERS, I'D ALSO LIKE TO
SEND BIRTHDAY WISHES TO ONEIDA
TRIBAL MEMBER PEARL MCLESTER,
WHO TURNS 100 TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I'M SURE AT 100 YEARS YOUNG,
SHE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TODAY SO
SHE'S DOING HER THING AND
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS.
IT IS MY PROFOUND HONOR TO
INTRODUCE YOU TO THE TRIBAL
LEADERS OF WISCONSIN:
CHAIRMAN CHRISTOPHER BOYD, RED
CLIFF BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
CHAIRMAN RONALD CORN, MENOMINEE
INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN.
CHAIRMAN MICHAEL WIGGINS, BAD
RIVER BAND OF THE LAKE SUPERIOR
TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
PRESIDENT MARLON WHITEEAGLE,
HO-CHUNK NATION.
TREASURE R FROM THE ONEIDA
NATION.
CHAIRMAN NED DANIELS, FOREST
COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY.
COUNCILMAN TWEED SHUMAN, LAC
COURTE OREILLES BAND OF LAKE
SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF
WISCONSIN.
CHAIRMAN ROBERT VAN ZILE,
SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAM REYNOLDS, ST.
CROIX CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF
WISCONSIN.
AND CERTAINLY LAST BUT NOT
LEAST,
PRESIDENT JOHN JOHNSON, LAC DU
FLAMBEAU BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE GOVERNOR,
THE TRIBAL LEADERSHIP AND OUR
STATE PARTNERS IN OUR ONGOING
EFFORTS TO CONSERVE AND DEVELOP
OUR COMMON RESOURCES, TO PROTECT
THE WELFARE OF OUR COMMUNITIES
AND TO CONTINUE TO FORGE A
BETTER UNION.
TODAY REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO EXAMINE THE CURRENT STATE OF
OUR UNION AND HOW WE CAN
COLLECTIVELY FORGE A BETTER
NATION BY EXAMINING THE NATIONAL
SELF ACROSS TIME THROUGH THE
TRIUMPHS AND TRAGEDIES OF THE
VIOLENCE AND INEQUITIES INVOLVED
IN THE CONTINUOUS EVOLUTION OF
FORGING A BETTER
UNION/EDUCATIONAL
FOUNDATION/ENVIRONMENT AND
HEALTHY STATE OF MIND. OUR
WILLINGNESS TO STEP UP IN THE
FACE OF WHAT WE ARE ALL
EXPERIENCING WITH COVID-19 HAS
BEEN AWE INSPIRING. THIS MOMENT
IS A TRUE TESTAMENT TO THE HUMAN
SPIRIT AND THE LOVE FOR THE
PEOPLE WE SERVE. TO KNOW THAT I
HAD LEADERS LIKE THE ONES HERE
TO TODAY TO BE GUIDED AND
SUPPORTED BY IS SOMETHING FOR
WHICH I WILL BE FOREVER
GRATEFUL.
AND WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT SOME
CHALLENGES ARE HARDER THAN
OTHERS, THIS ONLY MEANS THAT WE
MUST WORK HARDER AT LETTING GO
OF THINGS THAT ARE BEYOND OUR
CONTROL AND CONTINUING TO
OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES WE ARE
FACED WITH ONE DAY AT A TIME.
TO THAT END, I FEEL IT'S
IMPORTANT TO REVISE OUR
APPROACH: I WILL NO LONGER
ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT
CHANGE. I WILL CHANGE THE THINGS
I CANNOT ACCEPT.
I WANT TO THANK MY PARENTS WHO
CONTINUE TO SHAPE AND INSPIRE ME
EVERY DAY. MY PATHWAY WAS FORGED
BY THEIR EXAMPLE OF HARD WORK
AND FAMILY WHICH CAME FROM THEIR
BEING RAISED BY TWO STRONG,
BRAVE AND AMAZING WOMEN - MY
GRANDMOTHERS LUCILLE AND LILLIAN
- WHO WERE BORN DURING A TIME
WHERE THEY DID NOT HAVE AMERICAN
CITIZENSHIP, CIVIL RIGHTS,
SURVIVED THE SPANISH FLU,
MULTIPLE WARS, BOARDING SCHOOL,
THE TERMINATION ERA AND THE
GREAT DEPRESSION.
AND YET -- AND YET THEY STILL
MANAGED TO REMAIN FAITHFUL,
RAISE AMAZING FAMILIES, AND BE
HOPEFUL OF THE NEXT GENERATION.
I CARRY THEM IN MY HEART
WHEREVER I GO. WHAT THEY TAUGHT
ME IS, WE ARE NOT GIVEN A GOOD
LIFE OR A BAD LIFE. WE ARE GIVEN
A LIFE. IT'S UP TO US TO MAKE IT
GOOD OR BAD.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR YOUTH AT A
TIME WHEN NATIONAL DIALOGUE
ABOUT IDENTITY IS MORE DIVISIVE
THAN EVER. OUR NATIVE YOUTH ARE
USING THE STRENGTH OF THEIR
CULTURES TO COME TOGETHER, REACH
OUT TO OTHERS, AND MOBILIZE
TOWARD MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY
CHANGE.
TODAY WE HONOR OUR PEOPLE AND
CELEBRATE THE RICH DIVERSITY OF
ALL NATIONS. WE ALSO WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT
THE TRIBES OF WISCONSIN BRING TO
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
CULTURALLY, ECONOMICALLY,
MILITARILY, AND HISTORICALLY.
IN FACT, THE TRIBES OF WISCONSIN
PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE
STORY OF HOW INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
TRANSFORMED THEMSELVES FROM
ANTHROPOLOGICAL CURIOSITIES INTO
POLITICALLY INFLUENTIAL VOICES
ON BOTH DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL
ISSUES, IN ONE OF THE MOST
REMARKABLE PARADIGM SHIFTS IN
HISTORY. BUT THE TRUTH IS, NO
TRIBE WOULD HAVE SURVIVED IF
THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE POLITICAL
SKILLS TO CONFRONT EACH NEW
CHALLENGE OR POLICY THAT
CONCERNED THEM. FROM THE
BEGINNING, NATIVE AMERICAN
TRIBES HAVE BEEN NATIONS OF
STATESMEN, AND HAVE PRODUCED
GENERATIONS OF LEADERS WHO HAVE
ENGAGED IN EVERY FORM OF
POLITICS FROM THE WAR OF 1812 TO
PRESENT.
MY INSPIRATION TODAY DRAWS UPON
STATESMANSHIP AND TENACITY,
ESPECIALLY DURING THESE
CHALLENGING TIMES, ARE TWO
TRIBAL LEADERS FROM WISCONSIN
WHO HELPED SHAPE INDIAN POLICY
IN THE EARLY 1970S, SETTING THE
STAGE FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AND
MODERN TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY FOR
ALL 580 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED
TRIBES. THESE TWO GIANTS OF
INDIAN COUNTRY SHOWED US BY
EXAMPLE HOW INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
CAN USE THEIR VOICES POLITICALLY
TO RESHAPE OUR FUTURES. KOREAN
WAR VETERAN CHAIRMAN ERNIE
STEVENS SR, OF THE ONEIA NATION
AND MENOMINEE ACTIVIST ADA DEER
BOTH PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE
RAPID ESTABLISHMENT OF
SOVEREIGNTY AS A POLICY AND
POLITICAL ATTRIBUTE OF INDIAN
NATIONS. AND COINCIDENTLY, BOTH
WORKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
INDIAN AFFAIRS. CHAIRMAN STEVENS
AS THE AMERICAN INDIAN POLICY
REVIEW COMMISSION'S EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR AND MS. DEER AS THE
ASSISTANT DEPUTY SECRETARY AFTER
SHE WAS ABLE TO ASSIST THE
MENOMINEE NATION IN REGAINING
ITS FEDERAL RECOGNITION.
THEIR VISION AND HARD WORK
HELPED SHIFT THE NARRATIVE FROM
INDIAN TRIBES AS WARDS OF THE
GOVERNMENT INTO THE MODERN
POLITICAL NATIONS THAT
CONTRIBUTE HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS
TO THE NATION'S GROSS DOMESTIC
PRODUCT. THESE LEADERS SET THE
STAGE FOR AMERICAN INDIAN
NATIONS TO EXPLORE THE
POSSIBILITIES OF A NEW POLITICAL
STATUS AND CHART A COURSE FOR
ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE THAT WILL
CONTINUE FOR GENERATIONS TO
COME.
WE ONLY NEED TO LOOK AT THE
FLAGS CARRIED BY OUR COLOR GUARD
TO KNOW THAT OUR SACRIFICES ARE
SMALL IN COMPARISON. THERE IS NO
EXPRESSION GREAT ENOUGH TO SHOW
HOW PROUD WE ARE OF YOUR
CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED
STATES AND THE SOVEREIGN INDIAN
NATIONS REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE
REPUBLIC, AMERICAN INDIANS HAVE
SERVED AT THE HIGHEST RATE PER
CAPITA OF ANY OTHER NATIONALITY
IN THE UNITED STATES. IN OUR
COMMUNITIES, WE HONOR OUR
WARRIORS BECAUSE OF THEIR
COMMITMENT TO OUR COUNTRY'S
SAFETY AND SECURITY. BUT WITH
THAT COMES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
MEETING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS OF
ALL VETERANS, AND WE MUST ENSURE
THAT THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE
ARE BEING ADDRESSED AND
FACILITATED.
WE SUPPORT SB 688/AB 720
WISCONSIN MILITARY MEDICS AND
CORPSMEN PROGRAM. CURRENTLY,
WHEN MEDICALLY-TRAINED SERVICE
MEMBERS AND VETERANS' TRANSITION
TO CIVILIAN LIFE, THEIR
COMPREHENSIVE MILITARY
HEALTHCARE TRAINING AND HANDS-ON
PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE IS NOT
APPROPRIATELY RECOGNIZED IN
COMPARABLE PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
IN THE CIVILIAN HEALTHCARE
SETTINGS. AS A RESULT, MANY
VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS ARE
LEFT UNEMPLOYED, UNDEREMPLOYED,
OR LEAVE THE HEALTHCARE FIELD
ALTOGETHER.
WISCONSIN'S LONGSTANDING
HEALTHCARE SHORTAGES HAVE ONLY
WORSENED THROUGHOUT THE
PANDEMIC, AND THESE BILLS ARE AN
IMPORTANT TOOL TO MAKE SURE THAT
ALL WISCONSINITES HAVE THE
ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CARE THEY
NEED AND DESERVE, ESPECIALLY IN
RURAL COMMUNITIES.
AS WE STRUGGLE WITH THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND ECONOMIC
REVITALIZATION, INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES ARE NO LONGER CONTENT TO
WAIT FOR OTHERS TO MAKE
DECISIONS FOR US. THOSE DAYS ARE
GONE. AND GIVEN THE TRIBE'S
LEADERSHIP AND FORWARD MOVEMENT
DURING THE PANDEMIC TO PROTECT
NOT ONLY THEIR COMMUNITIES, BUT
THE COMMUNITIES AROUND THEM, I
BELIEVE THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE
LEARNED FROM THE TRIBES'
RESPONSES TO THE PANDEMIC.
SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN IN LATE
2019, 1.5 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE
DIED, AND MANY OF THOSE DEATHS
THAT WERE UNNECESSARY, DUE TO
THE POLITICIZATION AND FAILURE
TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE WORST
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN
OVER A CENTURY.
BUT TRIBAL NATIONS CHOOSE A
DIFFERENT PATH. FROM THE
BEGINNING, TRIBAL LEADERS HAD A
CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WAS
HAPPENING AND WERE IN A
DESPERATE RACE TO PROTECT THEIR
COMMUNITIES. BECAUSE WE HAVE
HISTORIC EXPERIENCE WITH
EPIDEMICS AND DEADLY PATHOGENS,
WE MOVED QUICKLY TO ORGANIZE
TASKFORCES TO COORDINATE A RAPID
RESPONSE THROUGH OUR CLINICS,
EPIDEMIOLOGISTS, LAW
ENFORCEMENT, HOUSING, AND OTHER
DEPARTMENTS TO CREATE AND
IMPLEMENT PLANS, FOR OUR
EMPLOYEES, CITIZENS AND
COMMUNITIES TO REMAIN SAFE
DURING NECESSARY SHUTDOWNS AND
UNTIL A VACCINE COULD BE
DEVELOPED.
WE SOLICITED GOVERNOR EVERS FOR
ASSISTANCE FROM THE NATIONAL
GUARD TO HELP WITH VACCINES AND
TESTING, WE REACHED OUT TO
STATE, NATIONAL AND TRIBAL
ORGANIZATIONS FOR PPE, ISOLATION
AND QUARANTINE GUIDELINES.
BECAUSE IN OUR SMALL TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES, THE LOSS OF ANY
CITIZEN IS TOO HIGH OF A PRICE.
LOSING A SINGLE ELDER IS LIKE A
LIBRARY BURNING DOWN AND WITH
IT, THE LOSS OF OUR CULTURE,
TRADITIONS AND TEACHINGS. WE
THANK GOVERNOR EVERS, SECRETARY
TIMBERLAKE AND WISCONSIN'S
NATIONAL GUARD FOR BECOMING OUR
COMRADES IN ARMS IN THE BATTLE
OF COVID19.
OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES ARE
PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL FOR GOVERNOR
EVERS' LEADERSHIP, THE
COLLABORATION OF HIS TEAM AND
ALL THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS -- WE
THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICES YOU
MAKE EVERY DAY AND ESPECIALLY
DURING THIS PANDEMIC. YOUR
DEDICATION, COMMITMENT AND
COURAGE DESERVE OUR DEEPEST
GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION. YOUR
SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITIES IS
SAVING COUNTLESS LIVES AND
MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR US ALL.
AFTER ALMOST THREE YEARS IN
WHICH OUR NATION HAS ENDURED A
GLOBAL PANDEMIC, ECONOMIC
HARDSHIP, AND A CONTENTIOUS
ELECTION, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO
FURTHER INFLAME DIVISION. IT IS
TIME FOR OUR NATION'S LEADERS TO
HELP AMERICA HEAL. IT IS SAID
THAT THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A
MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN
MOMENTS OF COMFORT AND
CONVENIENCE, BUT WHERE HE STANDS
AT TIMES OF CHALLENG AND
CONTROVERSY. UNFORTUNATELY,
WE'VE SEEN A FORCE THAT WOULD
SHATTER OUR NATION RATHER THAN
SHARE IT, WOULD DESTROY OUR
COUNTRY EVEN IF IT MEANT
DESTROYING DEMOCRACY. AND THIS
EFFORT VERY NEARLY SUCCEEDED.
BUT WHILE DEMOCRACY CAN BE
PERIODICALLY DELAYED, IT CAN
NEVER BE PERMANENTLY DEFEATED.
NATIVE AMERICANS WERE DENIED
AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP AND VOTING
RIGHTS UNTIL 1924, AND THAT
HISTORY HAD A CHILLING EFFECT ON
ELECTORAL AND CIVIC
PARTICIPATION. EXERCISING YOUR
RIGHT TO VOTE IS CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT. THIS IS ABOUT THE
WELL-BEING OF UNITED STATES
CITIZENS. ERADICATING BARRIERS
TO POLITICAL PARTICIPATION FOR
NATIVE AMERICANS WOULD IMPROVE
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS,
SELF-DETERMINATION, LAND RIGHTS,
WATER RIGHTS AND HEALTH CARE.
THUS, I APPLAUD SPEAKER ROBIN
VOS, WHO UPHELD THE INTENT AND
INTEGRITY OF THIS PROCESS IN
WISCONSIN WITH THE EMPHASIS ON
THE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE.
LEGISLATION SUPPRESSING THE
RIGHT TO VOTE PURPORTS TO BE
NEUTRAL; HOWEVER, IN MANY
INSTANCES IT UNDERMINES THE MOST
BASIC RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN
OUR DEMOCRACY. THE LOSS OF THE
RIGHT TO VOTE IS THE LOSS OF A
VOICE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
WE SHOULD DO MORE TO ENSURE THAT
ALL AMERICANS, INCLUDING NATIVE
AMERICANS, CAN EXERCISE THIS
RIGHT EASILY AND WITH UNDUE
HARDSHIP.
CONSERVATION OF OUR NATURAL
RESOURCES ARE IMPERATIVE. WE DO
NOT INHERIT THE EARTH; WE BORROW
IT FROM OUR CHILDREN AND
GRANDCHILDREN. THE WOODLAND
TRIBES OF THE GREAT LAKES AREA
WERE THE FIRST TO USE THE MANY
RESOURCES OF THE GREAT LAKES
BASIN. ABUNDANT GAME, FERTILE
SOILS AND PLENTIFUL WATER
ENABLED THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF
HUNTING, SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE
AND FISHING. RESPECTING AND
CARING FOR THE GREAT LAKES IS AN
INHERIT RESPONSIBILITY PASSED ON
FOR GENERATIONS.
FOOD IMPACTS ALL PARTS OF OUR
DAILY LIFE. IT ISN'T ONLY ABOUT
FEELING FULL AND SATISFIED, IT'S
ALSO ABOUT FEELING CONNECTED TO
COMMUNITY AND BELONGING. ACROSS
CULTURES, FOOD IS A WAY TO BRING
PEOPLE TOGETHER AT THE TABLE AND
CELEBRATE OUR SHARED HUMANITY.
ON THE HIERARCHY OF NEEDS, FOOD,
WATER, SHELTER AND REST ARE
FOUNDATIONS FOR A HEALTHY HUMAN.
WITHOUT THESE FUNDAMENTAL PIECES
IN PLACE, IT'S DIFFICULT TO
ADVANCE TO THINKING ABOUT
SAFETY, COMMUNITY AND OUR
POTENTIAL. FOOD SECURITY IS AT
THE BASELINE OF HUMAN SURVIVAL.
WITHOUT IT, WE CANNOT THRIVE,
LET ALONE SURVIVE.
OUR TRIBAL FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
INITIATIVES PROMOTE TRADITIONAL
FOOD WAYS, AND INDIGENOUS HEALTH
THROUGH FOODS TAILORED TO
AMERICAN INDIAN DIETARY NEEDS.
USDA IS PARTNERING WITH
TRIBAL-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS ON
SEVEN PROJECTS TO REIMAGINE
FEDERAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
PROGRAMS FROM AN INDIGENOUS
PERSPECTIVE AND INFORM FUTURE
USDA PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WAYS
OF TRANSFORMING AMERICA'S FOOD
SYSTEM WITH A GREATER FOCUS ON
MORE RESILIENT LOCAL AND
REGIONAL FOOD PRODUCTION, FAIRER
MARKETS FOR ALL PRODUCERS,
ENSURING ACCESS TO SAFE,
HEALTHY, AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN
ALL COMMUNITIES. WE MUST BUILD
NEW MARKETS AND REVENUE STREAMS
FOR FARMERS AND PRODUCERS USING
SMART FOOD AND FORESTRY
PRACTICES. WE NEED HISTORIC
INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE
AND CLEAN ENERGY CAPABILITIES IN
RURAL AREAS, AND COMMITTING TO
EQUITY TO ALL BY REMOVING
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS AND BUILDING A
WORKFORCE MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF
A DIVERSE WISCONSIN.
ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO THE
CONTINUOUS THREATS OF CLIMATE
CHANGE, PIPE LINES AND
EXTRACTIVE MINING, WE ARE
EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH THE
INADEQUATE ENVIRONMENTAL
ANALYSIS OF ENBRIDGE'S LINE 5
PIPELINE REROUTE AS IT DOES
GRAVE INJUSTICE TO FRONTLINE
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.
THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR DETERMINING WHETHER
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS PROPOSED
IN THE STATE ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY
SOUND. IN DECEMBER, THE
DEPARTMENT RELEASED A DEEPLY
FLAWED DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW OF A DANGEROUS PLAN BY
ENBRIDGE ENERGY TO RELOCATE PART
OF THE LINE 5 OIL PIPELINE WHERE
IT RUNS THROUGH THE BAD RIVER
WATERSHED. BOTH THE PLAN AND THE
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DIDN'T
FACTOR IN THE HAZARDS THIS
PROPOSAL CREATES FOR THE
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES,
INCLUDING THE BAD RIVER BAND OF
LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA, AS WELL
AS THE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE
SURROUNDING RIVERS AND THE LOCAL
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY.
THE PIPELINE CROSSES OVER 280
RIVERS AND STREAMS THAT FLOW
INDIRECTLY INTO THE GREAT LAKES,
WATERS THAT SUPPLY DRINKING
WATER TO OVER 40 MILLION PEOPLE.
THE GREAT LAKES ARE THE
LIFEBLOOD OF TRIBAL NATIONS
ACROSS ONTARIO, WISCONSIN,
MINNESOTA, AND THE UPPER AND
LOWER PENINSULAS OF MICHIGAN,
WHO DEPEND ON ITS CONNECTED
TRIBUTARIES, COASTAL WATERS,
GROUNDWATER AQUIFERS, AND FISH
AND PLANT POPULATIONS TO SUSTAIN
THEIR SUPPLY OF DRINKING WATER,
FOOD, AND ANCIENT MEDICINES FOR
WELL OVER 10,000 YEARS.
SAFEGUARDING THESE TRIBUTARIES
AND COASTAL WETLANDS IS CRITICAL
TO MAINTAINING THE DEEP-ROOTED
CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD,
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING, AND
CULTURAL TRADITIONS.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANDELA
BARNES AND THE GOVERNOR'S TASK
FORCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE, THIS IS
A FIRST STEP IN BOLD AND
COURAGEOUS ACTION,
DEVELOPED COLLABORATIVELY BY
APPOINTEES FROM ALL SECTORS,
INSTITUTIONS, AND COMMUNITIES
ACROSS THE STATE. THE EFFECTS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE TRANSECT ALL
SECTORS, GEOGRAPHIES, AND
PEOPLE. AND WHILE WE ALL
EXPERIENCE THESE CHANGES,
LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED,
BEARING THE MOST SEVERE
CONSEQUENCES. FAILING TO ACT
SWIFTLY AND LEAVING THE CLIMATE
CRISIS TO MANIFEST UNCHECKED
WILL CONTINUE TO WREAK HAVOC IN
WISCONSIN AND ACROSS THE NATION.
WISCONSIN'S CLIMATE IS CHANGING.
THESE CHANGES AFFECT THE
STABILITY OF WISCONSIN'S
ECONOMIC SECTORS AS WELL AS
HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY.
IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NECESSARY.
THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONTINUED
PROTECTION OF OUR RELATIVES·THE
WOLVES.
WHAT KIND OF EARTH ARE WE GIVING
OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN?
THE GOAL OF CONFERRING RIGHTS TO
NATURE IS TO SECURE THE HIGHEST
LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION UNDER WHICH AN
ECOSYSTEM CAN THRIVE AND
ENSURING RIGHTS ARE NOT
VIOLATED. THESE NATURE RIGHTS
ARE VERY OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH
HUMAN RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY THE
RIGHT TO A CLEAN AND HEALTHY
ENVIRONMENT.
THE TREATMENT OF NATIVE AMERICAN
PEOPLE IN AMERICAN HISTORY IS
NOT AN EASY ONE TO TELL. IT'S
NOT EASY TO HEAR AND EVEN HARDER
TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE POLICIES OF
THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING
GENOCIDE, ETHNIC CLEANSING,
FORCED REMOVALS AND BRUTAL
ASSIMILATIONIST POLICIES HAVE
IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITIES TO THIS
DAY. BUT OUR DISCOMFORT IN
SHARING THIS PAINFUL COLLECTIVE
HISTORY PALES IN COMPARISON TO
THE LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT SO
MANY NATIVE PEOPLE ENDURED IN
THE LAST 530 YEARS. THE IMPACT
OF THESE ACTIONS AUTHORIZED BY
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
UPON NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND
CULTURES IS SOMETHING THAT WE
NEVER CAN TRULY MAKE WHOLE. BUT
THERE MUST BE A WILLINGNESS TO
TEACH A BALANCED ACCOUNT OF U.S.
HISTORY THAT INCORPORATES AN
ACCURATE, COMPREHENSIVE
CURRICULUM IN NATIVE AMERICAN
HISTORY AND CULTURE.
A PROPOSED WISCONSIN BILL WOULD
PROHIBIT TEACHING CURRICULUM
THAT BRINGS GREATER DEPTH AND
UNDERSTANDING TO THE
LONG-MISINTERPRETED HISTORY OF
INDIGENOUS CULTURE, FOR FEAR OF
HURTING STUDENTS'* FEELINGS.
HENCE, IT IS OUR VIEW AND
RESPONSE AS TRIBAL NATIONS THAT
PERHAPS WHAT IS NEEDED IS NOT
CRITICAL THEORY AND MORE
CRITICAL THINKING.
BUT TO HAVE CRITICAL THINKING,
YOU HAVE TO FACE THE FULL
PANORAMA OF OUR NATION'S HISTORY
HEAD ON.
AS CO-EQUAL DOMESTIC SOVEREIGNS,
WE HAVE A FEDERAL-TRUST AND
TREATY-BASED RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE UNITED STATES. AS YOU CAN
SEE FROM THE MANY TRIBAL MEMBERS
HERE TODAY, AMERICAN INDIANS ARE
NOT A PEOPLE OF THE PAST.
IT'S EASY TO RELEGATE NATIVES AS
IRRELEVANT, PAST-TENSE PEOPLES
AND IT CAN BE HARD FOR TEACHERS
WHO AREN'T CONNECTED WITH NATIVE
COMMUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT
IT MEANS TO BE NATIVE IN A
CONTEMPORARY ROLE.
TODAY, HOWEVER, NATIVE IDENTITY
IS SHAPED BY MANY COMPLEX
SOCIAL, POLITICAL, HISTORICAL,
AND CULTURAL FACTORS.
WE ARE WORKING TO DEVELOP
SUSTAINABLE CURRICULUM, TO
RECRUIT TEACHERS AND TO DEVELOP
PROGRAMS THAT INTRODUCE RELEVANT
PLANS INTO SCHOOL SYSTEMS.
AROUND OUR STATE AND HOPEFULLY
BEYOND.
THIS IS NOT -- THOSE THAT DO NOT
LEARN HISTORY ARE DEEMED TO
REPEAT IT.
REALLY, QUITE HONESTLY, THEY'RE
STILL VERY TRUE TODAY.
BECAUSE OF HOW TRUE THEY ARE,
HISTORY WITH ALL ITS GLORY AND
UGLINESS
UGLINESS, GIVES US THE
OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM PAST
MISTAKES. IT HELPS US UNDERSTAND
THE MANY REASONS WHY PEOPLE MAY
BEHAVE THE WAY THEY DO. AS A
RESULT, IT HELPS US BECOME MORE
COMPASSIONATE AS PEOPLE AND MORE
IMPARTIAL AS DECISION MAKERS.
SPORTS CARTOONING AND MASCOTING
ARE ESPECIALLY VILE TO NATIVE
PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND
EXTENDED FAMILIES BECAUSE OF THE
HARM THESE PRACTICES DO TO THE
SELF-ESTEEM OF NATIVE YOUTH. LOW
SELF-ESTEEM FACTORS PROMINENTLY
IN SUICIDES, AND OUR TEEN
SUICIDE RATE HAS BEEN AT OR NEAR
THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE UNITED
STATES FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY,
SO THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND
DEATH FOR MOST NATIVE PEOPLES.
IT ALSO IS THE MAIN REASON SO
MANY OF US DEVOTE TIME AND
ENERGY TO RIDDING SPORTS OF
THESE DEHUMANIZING, OBJECTIFYING
AND BELITTLING PRACTICES AND
BEHAVIORS.
CIVILIZATION RULES WERE IN PLACE
FROM 1880 INTO 1936 AND THEIR
ILL EFFECTS WERE FELT THROUGHOUT
THE 19TH00S SPEW THE CENTURY.
WE DIDN'T EVEN GET A RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM POLICY UNTIL 1978 OR
LAWS TO RECOVER OUR REMAINS FROM
REPOSITORIES UNTIL THE 1990s.
WE ARE STILL THE ONLY SEGMENT OF
SOCIETY THAT CANNOT USE THE
FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROTECT OUR
SACRED PLACES.
FAR TOO LONG INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
HAVE FACED DISCRIMINATION
DISRESPECT AND VIOLENCE, OFTEN
THROUGH OPPRESSIVE USE OF WORDS
OR IMAGERY. AS LONG AS WE CAN
BE TREATED BADLY IN THIS VERY
PUBLIC WAY, NATIVE PEOPLES WILL
CONTINUE TO BE PERSISTENTLY
MISTREATED AND BOTH OUR
COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
WILL BE AT RISK. TO DO NOTHING
TO CHANGE THESE HURTFUL
PRACTICES AND ALLOW ITS
CONTINUANCE IN ANY CONTEXT IS A
COMPLICIT PERPETUATION OF A
DEROGATORY, BIGOTED, AND HARMFUL
PRACTICE THAT IS NOTHING SHORT
OF LATERAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS
NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
WORDS AND IMAGES DO MATTER.
IMAGINE THE OUTCRY IF THERE WAS
A TEAM CALLED THE COLONIZERS.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT
PRESERVING TRIBAL LANGUAGES? IN
OUR COMMUNITIES, LANGUAGE IS
CULTURE. WHEN A LANGUAGE BECOMES
EXTINCT, JUST LIKE THE GRAY
WOLF, IT CAN TAKE WITH IT MUCH
OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF
THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE IT AND
REVERED IT. I CAN'T STRESS
ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF
RETAINING OUR TRIBAL LANGUAGES.
LANGUAGE IDENTIFIES OUR
RELATIONSHIP TO OUR RELATIVES,
INCLUDED OUR FOUR LEGGED, WINGED
ONES AND THE ONES THAT LIVE IN
THE WATER AND CRAWL UPON THE
EARTH AND THOSE THAT GROW FROM
THE EARTH.
WE ALSO NEED THE STATE TO INVEST
IN OUR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL
SYSTEMS.
WHETHER WE TALK ABOUT SPECIAL
EDUCATION, AID OR PROGRAMS FOR
STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH OR
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND
RURAL AND TRIBAL SCHOOLS, IT'S
WHAT IS REALLY BEST FOR OUR
KIDS.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM AND AN INVESTMENT
IN THE WELLNESS OF THE SPIRE
STATE.
WE ALSO HAVE CHALLENGES THAT
REQUIRE US TO LOOK MORE DEEPLY
AND ADDRESS THE PERILS OF
ADDICTION. ONCE SUCH INITIATIVE
ALIGNS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S
COMMITMENT TO FIGHT OPIOID
ADDICTION WHICH BUILDS UPON THE
AGGRESSIVE MEASURES THE STATE
HAS ALREADY TAKEN TO COMBAT THE
OPIOID CRISIS IN WISCONSIN. THIS
IS SOMETHING ALL 11 TRIBES HAVE
PRIORITIZED AS IMPORTANT OF
BUILDING AN ADOLESCENT WELLNESS
TREATMENT CENTER. WE ARE CLOSE
AND HOPE THROUGH YOUR
PARTNERSHIP WE BRING THIS
CRITICALLY NEEDED RESOURCE OF
HEALING TO OUR YOUTH.
MY SISTER LEA DENNY FOUNDER OF
THE HIR WELLNESS INSTITUTE, PUT
IT BEST: OUR INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES ARE ANSWERING A CALL
TO COME TOGETHER, AND MANY OF
THESE EFFORTS ARE EMBRACING A
MATRIARCHAL AND SHARED
LEADERSHIP APPROACH. TOGETHER WE
WILL CO-CREATE A WELLNESS
ECOSYSTEM FOR HEALTH JUSTICE
THAT CENTERS OUR COMMUNITIES'
SHARED EXPERIENCES, PRIORITIZES
OUR COLLECTIVE SAFETY, AND
TRANSCENDS OUR COMMUNITY IN A
STATE OF PERPETUAL PERPETUITY.
MENTAL HEALTH REACHES ALL
ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES--AND WE
NEED TO ADDRESS THE DEEP ACHE
FOR HEALING FROM THE
GENERATIONAL PAIN OF HISTORICAL
TRAUMA THAT ACCOMPANIES
UNRESOLVED GRIEF--THESE ARE THE
EXPERIENCES SHARED ACROSS ALL
FAMILIES WITHIN INDIAN COUNTRY.
EXPERIENCES LIKE THE FORCED
REMOVAL OF CHILDREN, REMOVAL OFF
HOMELANDS, ALLOTMENT AND
URBANIZATION, ASSIMILATION,
OUTLAWING LANGUAGES AND
TRADITIONAL PRACTICE--FOOD WAYS,
CEREMONIES AND THE
BULLYING--INCLUDING ACTS OF
WESTERN PATRIARCHAL VIOLENCE AND
GENOCIDE--TO THE RELENTLESSNESS
OF INTERGENERATIONAL HEARTACHE
AND GRIEF FOR OUR MISSING AND
MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE-- TO
DECOLONIZING RACIST EDUCATIONAL
CURRICULUM, PRACTICES, AND
MASCOTS. THESE UNFORGIVING
EVENTS IMPACT OUR YOUTH WHO HAVE
INHERITED THE CONSEQUENCES OF
THESE INHUMANE PRACTICES.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS
INDIVIDUALISM IN MENTAL HEALTH.
FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, INTIMATE PARTNER
VIOLENCE, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE,
SEX TRAFFICKING, SUBSTANCE USE,
OVERDOSE, IMPRISONMENT, HIGH
SCHOOL DROPOUT, SEVERE MENTAL
HEALTH CONDITIONS, ACCESS TO
EQUITABLE CHILDCARE,
UNEMPLOYMENT, HOMELESSNESS,
CHRONIC AND GENERATIONAL POVERTY
-- ALL OF THIS IS MENTAL HEALTH.
AND ALL OF THIS NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED.
THE PANDEMIC BROUGHT
UNPARALLELED CHALLENGES FOR
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (DV) PROGRAMS,
SURVIVORS, AND COMMUNITIES
ACROSS WISCONSIN. SURVIVORS OF
VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN
EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER
AMOUNTS OF DISTRESS AND HAVE
MORE COMPLEX NEEDS AS A RESULT
OF THE PANDEMIC.
THE FACT IS, MMIP IS ABOUT MORE
THAN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT
RESPONSE OR LACK OF RESPONSE TO
VIOLENCE IN INDIAN COUNTRY THE
CRUX OF MMIP IS THE LENGTH OF
TIME IN WHICH AMERICAN INDIANS
AND ALASKA NATIVES HAVE BEEN
CONTINUOUSLY DEVALUED,
DEHUMANIZED, AND DISCARDED.
THEREFORE, THERE IS AN URGENT
NEED TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT
HOMICIDE PREVENTION WORK AND
WHAT SAFETY LOOKS LIKE FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES.
WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE
WISCONSIN TRIBAL SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING INSTITUTE, EMBARKING ON
AN INITIATIVE THAT IS FOCUSED ON
DEVELOPING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ON AND OFF
TRIBAL LAND. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
MATCHES DEEPLY AFFORDABLE
HOUSING WITH SUPPORT SERVICES
FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND
SUBSTANCE USE NEEDS, PHYSICAL
CHALLENGES, AND PEOPLE WHO ARE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO
HELP THEM LIVE MORE STABLE AND
FULFILLING LIVES.
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GOAL FOR
OUR TRIBAL NATIONS TO PRODUCE
MULTIPLE REVENUE STREAMS AND
PROVIDE OUR NATIONS WITH THE
ABILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.
A STRONG ECONOMY IS THE GOAL OF
EVERY NATION. OSTENSIBLY, NATIVE
IT CREATES WEALTH AND JOBS AND
ENCOURAGES NEW DEVELOPMENT OF
JOBS AND HELP ENSURE EVERYONE
HAS A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
WE MUST GROW AN ECONOMY OF A
FUTURE TO MAKE THAT WISCONSIN
AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES HAVE THE
JOBS WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR
FAMILIES, HOME AND NATIONS.
IF WE DO NOT, WE WILL CLEARLY
FALL BEHIND.
NATIVE AMERICANS, THE TOURISM IS
INDICATIVE OF RESOURCEFUL AND
NEEDED RESOURCE.
TOURISM PROVIDES A STRATEGIC
PATHWAY FOR DESCRIBES TO DELIVER
OUR ECONOMIES WHILE TELLING OUR
TRUE STORY AND CONCERNING AND
CONNECTING OUR CULTURE AND
HISTORY.
IT DEVELOPS NEW BUSINESSES AND
REINVIGORATING OUR CURRENT
BUSINESSES.
NATOW HAS FORMED A STRONG
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN THAT WILL COMPLEMENT
ALL OF WISCONSIN'S TOURISM
PROGRAMS AND OUR FINDING WAYS TO
LEVERAGE CULTURE TOURISM ON
BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND
GROW OUR ECONOMIES.
AND GROW OUR ECONOMIES. WE ALL
KNOW NOTHING SUCCEEDS WITHOUT A
PLAN, DESIGNATED RESOURCES, OR
INFRASTRUCTURE. AND NATOW IS
CURRENTLY WORKING DILIGENTLY ON
A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES AROUND
OUTDOOR RECREATION, SCENIC
BYWAYS, AGRICULTURAL TOURISM,
NATIVE ART AND CULTURE, ALL OF
WHICH INTERSECT WITH TRIBAL
ECONOMIES NOW AND INTO THE
FUTURE.
THE TRIBES ARE HERE, REACH OUT
STATE LEADERS. WE ARE READY TO
BEGIN WORK ON THE CHALLENGES WE
ALL FACE. WE NEED TO BUILD
BRIDGES NOT WALLS AND THE TRIBAL
NATIONS STAND READY TO SUPPORT
YOU AS WE WORK TO ADDRESS THE
NEED FOR ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY
AND TO EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS
FOR AREAS IN NEED. BECAUSE WE
KNOW THAT IF WISCONSIN WANTS TO
CONTINUE TO COMPETE IN THE
GLOBAL ECONOMY, IT IS CRUCIAL TO
BUILD AN INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE
EVERY COMMUNITY IS ABLE TO
CONNECT TO FAST AND RELIABLE
INTERNET.
THIS INITIATIVE TRIPLES THE
STATE'S BROADBAND AND TECHNOLOGY
INVESTMENTS AND WILL ALLOW ALL
WISCONSIN COMMUNITIES,
ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, TO
COMPETE FOR JOBS, IMPROVE
EDUCATION, AND PROVIDE A HIGHER
QUALITY OF LIFE. THE TRIBES
HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS TO WISCONSIN'S
INFRASTRUCTURE TO BUILD ROADS,
PARKS, EXTERNAL BUSINESSES, AND
CULTURAL CENTERS TO NAME A FEW.
THE NEED FOR ACTION IN WISCONSIN
IS CLEAR, AND RECENTLY RELEASED
STATE-LEVEL DATA DEMONSTRATES
THAT THE BIPARTISAN
INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WILL DELIVER
FOR WISCONSIN.
FOR DECADES, INFRASTRUCTURE IN
WISCONSIN HAS SUFFERED FROM A
SYSTEMIC LACK OF INVESTMENT.
THIS HISTORIC BILL WILL MAKE
LIFE BETTER FOR MILLIONS OF
WISCONSIN RESIDENTS, CREATE A
GENERATION OF GOOD-PAYING UNION
JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH,
BROADBAND EXPANSION AND
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS.
IT WOULD INCLUDE RECONNECTING
COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE PILOT
PROGRAM DECLARED FOR STATE,
LOCAL AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND
DESIGNING THAT.
THE PROJECTS THAT WOULD PROVE,
OF COURSE, HESITATION AND SAFETY
FOR EVERYONE.
ADDITIONALLY, DOT SECRETARY
THOMPSON AND THE WISCONSIN
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS
WORKING WITH THE STATE'S
FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS TO UPDATE THE
SIGNAGE ON STATE HIGHWAYS
SIGNIFYING THE TRIBAL BOUNDARIES
IN BOTH ENGLISH AND NATIVE
LANGUAGE RENDITIONS OF THE
TRIBE'S NAME.
RECENTLY, THE RED CLIFF BAND IN
BAYFIELD UNVEILED WISCONSIN'S
FIRST DUAL-LANGUAGE SIGN IN THE
OJIBWE LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH,
REFLECTING THE IMPORTANCE OF
LANGUAGE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THESE INITIATIVES ARE CRUCIAL,
BECAUSE WHEN THE TRIBES SUCCEED,
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN SUCCEEDS.
STRONG TRIBAL ECONOMIES EQUALS A
STRONG WISCONSIN.
THE TRIBAL NATIONS HERE TODAY
REPRESENT THE RESILIENCE OF OUR
ANCESTORS. WE ARE THE SEEDS THAT
DESCENDED FROM THOSE WHO
SURVIVED FORCED REMOVALS,
GENOCIDE, TERMINATION AND
ASSIMILATION. GENERATION AFTER
GENERATION, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
HAVE TENACIOUSLY HUNG ON TO
DEFEND THEIR LANGUAGES, LANDS,
CULTURES, AND THEIR PEOPLE WITH
RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION.
ONCE THOUGHT OF AS REMNANTS OF A
HUMAN PAST THAT DISAPPEARED IN
THE FOG OF HISTORY, INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES AND THEIR ANCIENT WISDOM
ARE MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER.
AND AGAINST ALL THE ODDS, WE ARE
STILL HERE TODAY.
BUT TO HONOR OUR ANCESTORS'
SACRIFICES WE MUST NEVER FORGET
THAT OUR ACTIONS TODAY WILL
IMPACT THOSE THAT PROCEED. FOR
US, IT IS NEVER ABOUT THE NEXT
ELECTION--IT IS ABOUT THE NEXT
GENERATIONS AND BEYOND.
UNLIKE WHAT HAS BEEN DEPICTED IN
HISTORY BOOKS AND MEDIA, TRIBES
ARE NOT MONOLITHIC. THE TRIBES
IN WISCONSIN ARE DIVERSE AND
UNIQUE. AND SOMEDAY, WE WILL BE
THE ANCESTORS OF OUR
DESCENDANTS, FOR WHOM WE
CONTINUE TO PUSH. TO GROW, TO
THRIVE AND TO NOURISH THE WORLD.
SO TODAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO
REAFFIRM THAT, IN SPITE OF THE
MANY DETERMINED EFFORTS TO
EXTINGUISH OUR PEOPLE,WE ARE
STILL HERE.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE NEW
GENERATION OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
ARE NOW EMERGING AS POLITICAL
ACTORS IN GLOBAL, REGIONAL AND
LOCAL DEBATES.
THAT IS WHY REPRESENTATION TRULY
MATTERS AND IT SO CRITICAL TO
PRESERVE THE SANCTITY OF
DEMOCRACY, WHERE DIVERSE GROUPS
ARE INCLUDED WHERE DECISIONS ARE
MADE THAT IS WHY VOTING IS SO
SACRED.
BECAUSE THE FUTURE LIES IN THE
CHOICES WE MAKE TODAY.
OF COURSE, I WISH FOR A FUTURE
WHERE EVERYONE - REGARDLESS OF
RACE, AGE AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION
- CAN EXPRESS WHO THEY REALLY
ARE AND THEY'RE SEEN AS THE
EXTRAORDINARY INDIVIDUALS THAT
THEY ARE.
AND TODAY IT'S FOR ISABELLA
AND ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE OF YOU
WHO FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T FIT IN
THIS WORLD, IT IS BECAUSE YOU
ARE HERE TO HELP CREATE A NEW
ONE.
OUR FUTURE IS DIVERSE AND
FEMALE. AND WE ARE RISING INTO
LEADERSHIP ROLES, IN POLITICS AS
IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS, LIKE I
ALWAYS SAY: IT'S LIKE FRYBREAD
AND WOMEN. IF YOU DON'T LET IT
RISE IT ISN'T GOING TO TURN OUT
TO WELL FOR YOU.
WE MUST STRIVE TO FORGE OUR
UNION WITH PURPOSE. TO COMPOSE A
COUNTRY COMMITTED TO ALL
CULTURES, COLORS, CHARACTERS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE PEOPLE WHO
MAKE UP OUR GREAT COUNTRY. AND
SO, WE LIFT OUR GAZE, NOT TO
WHAT STANDS BETWEEN US, BUT WHAT
STANDS BEFORE US. WE CLOSE THE
DIVIDE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT TO
PUT OUR FUTURE FIRST, WE MUST
FIRST PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE.
WE HAVE TO CONFRONT THESE
REALITIES IF WE'RE GOING TO MOVE
FORWARD, WHERE THERE IS SPACE
FOR GRIEF AND FEAR AND HOPE AND
UNITY, AND GRATITUDE. LET'S BE
AS AUDACIOUS AS THE RED OF MY
LIPS AND THE WORDS FROM MY
TONGUE. IT'S NOT JUST A MOMENT,
IT'S A MOVEMENT. IT IS SAID THAT
IF YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY FOR
JUSTICE, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IT
IS PERHAPS BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO
FULL OF PRIVILEGE. AND QUITE
HONESTLY, I AM STARVING.
>> PLEASE RISE AS WE RETIRE THE
COLORS.