>> CHM. ROBERT VAN ZILE, JR.:
BOOZHOO! WHICH MEANS GREETINGS
IN OJIBWE LANGUAGE.
AS NATIVE PEOPLE WE WALK IN TWO
WORLDS -- ONE REFLECTIVE OF
MODERN LIFE AND ONE BASED ON
ANCIENT TRADITIONS AND CULTURE.
WHERE MOST PEOPLE HAVE ONE NAME,
OJIBWE PEOPLE HAVE TWO.
ONE BASED ON ANCIENT TRADITIONS
AND CULTURE, MINE BEING
GIZHIBAA-AANAKWAD IN THE OJIBWE
LANGUAGE.
AND ONE BEING REFLECTIVE OF
MODERN LIFE -- MINE BEING ROBERT
VAN ZILE.
I'M HONORED TO STAND BEFORE ALL
OF YOU TODAY AS THE CHAIRMAN OF
THE SOKOAGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY
MOLE LAKE BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA.
THE SOKAOGON COMMUNITY RESIDES
IN THE TOWN OF NASHVILLE, IN
WHAT'S NOW KNOWN AS FOREST
COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
THE RESERVATION IS SOUTHWEST OF
THE CITY OF CRANDON NESTLED
AMONG RICE LAKE AND MOLE LAKE.
ABOUT 500 TRIBAL MEMBERS LIVE ON
OUR RESERVATION.
AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 MEMBERS LIVE
OFF THE RESERVATION.
MIIGWECH TO MY FELLOW TRIBAL
LEADERS WHO JOIN US HERE TODAY.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE ELEVEN
TRIBAL NATIONS LIVING WITHIN
WHAT'S NOW KNOWN AS WISCONSIN IS
A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.
FOR THOSE TRIBAL LEADERS IN
ATTENDANCE, I WOULD BE HONORED
IF YOU WOULD STAND AND BE
RECOGNIZED WHEN I SAY YOUR NAME.
BAD RIVER BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA: CHAIRMAN MIKE
WIGGINS.
FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI:
CHAIRMAN JAMES CRAWFORD.
HO-CHUNK NATION: PRESIDENT
MARLON WHITEEAGLE.
LAC COURTE OREILLES BAND OF LAKE
SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA:
VICE-CHAIRWOMAN LORRAINE GOUGE.
LAC DU FLAMBEAU BANK OF LAKE
SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA: PRESIDENT
JOHN JOHNSON, SR.
MENOMONEE INDIAN TRIBE OF
WISCONSIN: CHAIRWOMAN GENA
KAKKAK.
ONEIDA NATION: CHAIRMAN TEHASSI
HILL.
RED RED RED CLIFF BAND OF LAKE
SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA: CHAIRMAN
CHRISTOPHER BOYD.
SAINT CROIX CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF
WISCONSIN.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAM REYNOLDS.
STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE COMMUNITY
BAND OF MOHICAN INDIANS:
PRESIDENT SHANNON HOLSEY.
ALSO WITH US TODAY IS
BROTHERTOWN INDIAN NATION VICE
CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA RYAN.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY
TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR BEING HERE
TODAY.
PLEASE STAND UP AND BE
RECOGNIZED.
[APPLAUSE]
I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECONIZE THE
COLLEGE OF MENOMONEE NATION
PRESIDENT CHRISTOPHER CALDWELL
WHO JOINS US HERE TODAY.
[APPLAUSE]
MIIGWECH -- WHICH MEANS THANK
YOU -- TO ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN
VOS FOR THE INVITATION TO
ADDRESS THIS CHAMBER.
THE DECISIONS MADE IN THE STATE
LEGISLATURE HAVE TREMENDOUS
IMPACT ON OUR TRIBAL NATIONS.
AND, OUR NATIONS HAVE TREMENDOUS
IMPACT ON THE STATE.
WHICH IS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT
OUR NATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE
LEADERS ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL
CONSULTATION BEYOND THIS DAY AND
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
TO THAT END, ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT PARTS OF OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH STATE
GOVERNMENT IS PARTICIPATING IN
THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
I AM REFERRING SPECIFICALLY TO
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S STUDY
COMMITTEE ON STATE-TRIBAL
RELATIONS.
THIS IS THE ONLY STUDY COMMITTEE
DETAILED IN THE STATE STATUTES
AND THE ONLY ONE CREATED OR
RE-CREATED BI-ANNUALLY.
THANK YOU TO THE STATE
LEGISLATURE FOR CONTINUING THE
TRADITION OF CONSTITUTING THE
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS EVERY TWO
YEARS.
THIS IS AN "SPECIAL COMMITTEE"
IN THAT IT COMPRISES MAJORITY
AND MINORITY MEMBERS OF THE
STATE LEGISLATURE AND A
REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH OF THE
ELEVEN FEDERALLY-RECOGNIZED
TRIBES LOCATED IN WISCONSIN.
THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF
BILLS UNANIMOUSLY PROPOSED BY
THE COMMITTEE MEANT TO CELEBRATE
AND SHARE KNOWLEDGE OF NATIVE
AMERICAN TRIBES BOTH FROM A
HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY
PERSPECTIVE.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS IS AN
EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN
THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE
STATE'S ELEVEN FEDERALLY
RECOGNIZED TRIBES.
I AM ABOUT TO THANK MANY PEOPLE.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF I
MISPRONOUNCE NAMES.
I MEAN NO DISRESPECT.
I WISH TO THANK:
REPRESENTATIVE JEFF MURSAU WHO
SERVED AS CHAIRMAN; FORMER
SENATOR JANET BEWLEY WHO SERVED
AS VICE-CHAIRWOMAN.
SENATOR ANDRÉ JACQUE.
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE DAVID
BOWEN.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES EDMING.
REPRESENTATIVE DONNA ROZAR.
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL TITTL, AND
REPRESENTATIVE ROBYN VINING.
ON BEHALF OF THE TRIBAL NATIONS,
I WISH TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE ON THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
AND THANK THE LEADERS OF BOTH
HOUSES FOR APPOINTING THESE
SPECIAL LEGISLATORS TO SERVE ON
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS HAS
RECOMMENDED SEVEN PROPOSALS TO
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FOR
INTRODUCTION AS LEGISLATIVE
BILLS.
THESE PROPOSALS DEAL WITH: THE
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL AIDS BOARD,
AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES,
AMERICAN INDIAN LANGUAGE
LICENSURE, TRADITIONAL TRIBAL
REGALIA, VITAL RECORDS, AND
ADDING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY
TO THE STATUTORY LIST OF DAYS OF
OBSERVANCE.
WE RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGE
SUPPORT FOR THESE MEASURES.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE SENATE
AND ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP FOR
BEING HERE TODAY.
SENATE PRESIDENT CHRIS KAPENGA.
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DEVIN
LEMAHIEU.
SENATE MINORITY LEADER MELISSA
AGARD.
ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER TYLER
AUGUST.
ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER GRETA
NEUBAUER.
AND THANK YOU TO SENATOR PATRICK
TESTIN, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE
SENATE, FOR HIS RECENT SUPPORT
OF A CANNABIS BILL WE BELIEVE
WILL BENEFIT TRIBES.
THANK YOU TO THE SUPREME COURT
JUSTICES WHO ARE HERE TODAY:
HONORABLE SUPREME COURT CHIEF
JUSTICE ANNETTE KINGSLAND
ZIEGLER.
JUSTICE ANN WALSH BRADLEY.
JUSTICE REBECCA GRASSL BRADLEY.
JUSTICE REBECCA FRANK DALLET.
JUSTICE BRIAN HAGEDORN.
JUSTICE JILL J. KAROFSKY.
JUSTICE PATIENCE DRAKE
ROGGENSACK.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
SARAH RODRIGUEZ, ATTORNEY
GENERAL JOSH KAUL, AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION DR. JILL UNDERLY.
AND, I'M UNSURE IF STATE
TREASURER JOHN LEIBER IS ABLE TO
MAKE IT, BUT IF YOU ARE HERE,
THANK YOU FOR COMING.
THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS
RECOGNIZED AND REINFORCED THE
TREATY RIGHTS THAT OUR ANCESTORS
SACRIFICED BLOOD, PROPERTY AND
EVEN THEIR LIVES TO ENSURE
FUTURE SECURITY FOR NATIVE
PEOPLE.
YOUR EFFORTS HAVE REMINDED
PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF
OUR RIGHTS TO HUNT, FISH AND
GATHER.
THESE RIGHTS APPLY NOT ONLY ON
OUR RESERVATIONS, BUT ACROSS
MILLIONS OF ACRES OF CEDED
TERRITORY.
THESE MILLIONS OF ACRES WERE
ENTRUSTED TO THE UNITED STATES
BY OUR ANCESTORS IN EXCHANGE FOR
OUR TREATY RIGHTS.
THROUGH YOUR EFFORTS, THE
ONGOING AND REGULAR THREATS TO
OUR TRIBAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN
SOMEWHAT REDUCED.
SADLY, THREATS OF PHYSICAL
VIOLENCE AND VERBAL ABUSE REMAIN
REGULAR OCCURRENCES FOR OUR
PEOPLE.
FINALLY, BEFORE I GET INTO THE
HEART OF THE STATE OF THE TRIBES
ADDRESS, I WOULD LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE TRIBAL
ELDERS AND YOUTH, ANCESTORS,
VETERANS, CULTURAL LEADERS,
TRIBAL MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES AND
STAFF.
YOU ARE THE VERY FOUNDATION AND
THE FUTURE OF ALL WE ARE AND ALL
WE CAN BE.
OUR EXISTENCE IS REFLECTIVE OF
OUR RESILIENCE.
TRIBAL NATIONS PROVIDE REGIONAL
ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND
NATURAL RESOURCES INVESTMENTS
BENEFITING ALL PEOPLE.
TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE BOTH U.S.
CITIZENS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR
OWN SOVEREIGN NATION.
WE CHERISH NATIVE TRADITIONS.
WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR TRIBAL
NATIONS.
AND, WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NATIVE
AMERICANS HAVE REMAINED
STEADFAST IN THEIR SERVICE AND
DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES.
A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NATIVE
AMERICANS HAVE SERVED IN ALL OF
THE NATION'S MAJOR CONFLICTS
BEGINNING WITH THE REVOLUTIONARY
WAR.
FURTHER, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT
NATIVE AMERICANS SERVICE IN THE
ARMED FORCES IS FIVE TIMES THE
NATIONAL AVERAGE.
AND NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE THE
HIGHEST PER-CAPITA INVOLVEMENT
OF ANY POPULATION TO SERVE IN
THE U.S. MILITARY.
[APPLAUSE]
AND ACCORDING TO A 2012 REPORT
OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS, NATIVE
AMERICANS ALSO HAVE A HIGHER
CONCENTRATION OF WOMEN SERVICE
MEMBERS THAN ALL OTHER GROUPS.
NEARLY 20% OF AMERICAN INDIANS
AND ALASKA NATIVES SERVING IN
THE MILITARY WERE WOMEN.
[APPLAUSE]
MIIGWECH TO ALL OF OUR
SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN FOR
HONORABLY REPRESENTING OUR
TRIBAL NATIONS AND FOR
STEADFASTLY DEFENDING THE UNITED
STATES.
THERE'S NO GREATER DEMONSTRATION
OF HOW OUR PEOPLE WALK IN TWO
WORLDS TO THE BENEFIT OF BOTH.
[APPLAUSE]
MY GOAL TODAY IS TO BRING
GREATER AWARENESS TO CHALLENGES
IMPACTING NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE
COMMUNITIES STATE-WIDE.
THROUGH THIS SHARED EXPERIENCE,
WE ALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS
DONE.
MANY OF YOU IN THIS ROOM ARE
WORKING ON YOUR BUDGET
PROPOSALS.
THERE'S BEEN A GREAT AMOUNT OF
DISCUSSION STATE-WIDE ABOUT
SHARED REVENUE, INCREASING
COSTS, AND CATCHING UP ON
INVESTING IN CRITICAL AREAS SUCH
AS: INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING,
PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY
SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH,
EDUCATION, EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT,
RETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT, AS
WELL AS CLEAN AIR, WATER AND
LAND AMONG OTHERS.
EVERY BUDGET CYCLE, THERE'S AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL, COUNTY,
STATE AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS TO
COLLABORATE ON CRITICAL SERVICES
AND INVESTMENTS TO BRING GREATER
EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN
DELIVERY OF THOSE SERVICES.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WITH
STATE BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY TO
CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR
TRIBES.
WE HAVE INSIGHTS INTO WHAT'S
WORKING AND WHAT CAN BE IMPROVED
UPON TOGETHER.
LET'S TACKLE HEALTHCARE.
THE SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA TRIBE
ALONG WITH MANY OTHER TRIBES ARE
FACING CRUCIAL HEALTHCARE
CHALLENGES.
MY TRIBE IS LOCATED 45 MINUTES
FROM ANY EMERGENCY CARE SETTING.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, THERE IS A
LARGE BURDEN PUT ON TRIBES TO
ACT AS EMERGENCY CARE GIVERS TO
STABILIZE PATIENTS UNTIL WE CAN
GET THEM TO A FACILITY.
MANY OF OUR TRIBES ARE LONG
DISTANCES AWAY FROM EMERGENCY
CARE FACILITIES.
TRIBES FACE A HUGE BARRIER WITH
RECRUITING AND RETAINING MEDICAL
STAFF SINCE THE PANDEMIC.
THE WAGES FOR HEALTHCARE
PROFESSIONALS HAS SKYROCKETED.
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR A TRIBE
TO COMPETE WITH THE WAGES FOR
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AT THIS
TIME.
TRIBES WORK ON VERY LIMITED
FUNDS FROM THE INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICE, WHICH BARELY COVER
WAGES.
WAGE PRESSURES AND DIFFICULTY
RECRUITING MEDICAL TALENT TO
RURAL AREAS HINDERING QUALITY
PATIENT CARE.
SO HOW CAN THE STATE HELP?
A LAW CHANGE TO ALLOW TRIBES TO
BE ABLE TO FUNCTION WITH NURSE
PRACTITIONERS WITHOUT PHYSICIAN
SUPERVISION WOULD BE VERY
HELPFUL IN DELIVERING QUALITY
HEALTHCARE.
[APPLAUSE]
BY NOT ALLOWING NURSE
PRACTITIONERS TO RUN OUR
CLINICS, PATIENTS ARE SUFFERING
AND NOT RECEIVING THE QUALITY
CARE AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
REQUIRED FOR A HEALTHY
POPULATION.
AS WE ALL MOW, THE COST OF
UNHEALTHY PEOPLE ESSENTIALLY
FUNCTIONS AS A TAX ON THE STATE
UNHEALTHY PEOPLE ESSENTIALLY
FUNCTIONS AS A TAX ON THE STATE
UNHEALTHY PEOPLE ESSENTIALLY
FUNCTIONS AS A TAX ON THE STATE
UNHEALTHY PEOPLE ESSENTIALLY
FUNCTIONS AS A TAX ON THE STATE,
WHICH COSTS US ALL.
STUDIES SHOW NURSE PRACTITIONERS
DELIVER HEALTH OUTCOMES
COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF
PHYSICIANS WHEN PROVIDING
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE AND
PREVENTATIVE SERVICES.
THESE SAME STUDIES ALSO FOUND
SIMILAR LEVELS OF PATIENT
SATISFACTION AND OUTCOMES FOR
BLOOD PRESSURE AND BLOOD GLUCOSE
CONTROL, HEALTH STATUS, AND
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS AND
HOSPITALIZATIONS WHEN PATIENTS
WERE TREATED BY NURSE
PRACTITIONERS COMPARED WITH
PHYSICIANS.
BY ALLOWING NURSE PRACTITIONERS
TO RUN HEALTH CLINICS, THE STATE
WOULD HELP ADDRESS PRIMARY CARE
PROVIDER SHORTAGES FOR MEDICALLY
AND GEOGRAPHICALLY UNDERSERVED
POPULATIONS, SUCH AS THOSE FOUND
IN RURAL AREAS AND ON
RESERVATIONS.
THIS STRATEGY WOULD IMPROVE
ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY,
COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTHCARE
DESPERATELY NEEDED IN THESE
AREAS.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS INSURANCE.
TRIBES WERE PROMISED FREE
HEALTHCARE BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR
MILLIONS OF ACRES OF TRIBAL
LANDS.
AND, I REALIZE, THE STATE DID
NOT MAKE THAT PROMISE.
BUT BEAR WITH ME.
I BELIEVE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER TO
IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND
HEALTH OUT COMES, REDUCING
NEGATIVE IMPACT TO THE STATE.
THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
GIVES THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
TO DISTRIBUTE TO TRIBES DOES NOT
EVEN COVER HALF THE COST OF
OPERATING A TRIBAL HEALTHCARE
FACILITY.
BASED ON THE PROMISE MADE BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL
PEOPLE SHOULD ALL QUALIFY FOR
MEDICAID.
THERE SHOULD BE NO POVERTY LEVEL
FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS.
[APPLAUSE]
OKAY, SO WHERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY
FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND
A SOLUTION THAT BENEFITS TRIBES
AND WISCONSIN?
WISCONSIN MEDICAID IS A JOINT
FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAM THAT
PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE
COVERAGE, LONG-TERM CARE, AND
OTHER SERVICES TO OVER ONE
MILLION WISCONSIN RESIDENTS.
SINCE WISCONSIN MEDICAID IS
JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE, IT
SEEMS THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE STATE TO JOIN TRIBES IN
MAKING THE CASE TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT THAT IT HAS NOT
DELIVERED ON ITS PROMISE OF
HEALTHCARE FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS.
CONSIDER WHAT THE SAVINGS COULD
BE TO THE STATE IF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT FULLY FUNDED TRIBAL
HEALTHCARE.
THAT'S AN INTERESTING OUTCOME
THAT I BELIEVE WOULD RESULT IN
SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS, IMPROVED
POPULATION HEALTH, AND IMPROVED
STATE FINANCES.
A SIGNIFICANT PART OF ACHIEVING
A HEALTHY POPULATION STATE-WIDE
ALSO REQUIRES ONGOING ATTENTION
AND INVESTMENT IN MENTAL
HEALTHCARE.
UNTREATED MENTAL HEALTH
CHALLENGES CONTRIBUTE TO
SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOMELESSNESS
AND UNEMPLOYMENT TO NAME A FEW
AREAS THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT ALL
COMMUNITIES.
THERE'S NO QUESTION INVESTMENT
IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND
ACCESSIBILITY WILL POSITIVELY
IMPACT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
[APPLAUSE]
AS IT PERTAINS TO STEMMING THE
DEADLY WAVE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE,
THERE'S A DIRE NEED FOR GREATER
INVESTMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
AND LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THOSE
SUPPLYING OUR COMMUNITIES WITH
THESE SUBSTANCES.
FAR TOO MANY FAMILIES HAVE
EXPERIENCED LOSS OF LOVED ONES.
FAR TOO MANY OF OUR YOUTH HAVE
BEEN LOST TO THIS PLAGUE AND
KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES.
DRUGS DON'T DISCRIMINATE BY
RACE, HOUSEHOLD INCOME, OR
GEOGRAPHY.
THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IS RAVAGING
COMMUNITIES STATE-WIDE AND
TAXING THE SYSTEMS REQUIRED TO
MANAGE THIS PLAGUE ON SOCIETY.
WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER ACROSS
ALL ASPECTS, FROM EMERGENCY
SERVICES, TREATMENT AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT TO PROSECUTION AND
THE JUDICIARY, TO WIN THIS
FIGHT.
SUPPORT FOR A YOUTH TREATMENT
FACILITY IN THE NORTHWOODS WOULD
IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE
PEOPLE BATTLING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
WITH TREATMENT, RECOVERY AND
SUPPORT AS THEY RETURN TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
WE ASK YOU TO PARTNER WITH US TO
SEE THIS THROUGH TO COMPLETION.
[APPLAUSE]
ALL ELEVEN TRIBES HAVE ALREADY
CONTRIBUTED FUNDS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PROPERTY TO LOCATE A
TREATMENT FACILITY IN THE TOWN
OF CASSIEN.
THROUGH JOINT INVESTMENT IN
WE ARE DOING OUR PART.
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
[APPLAUSE]
WELLNESS, TREATMENT, LAW
ENFORCEMENT, AND COURT
SOLUTIONS, WE BELIEVE TOGETHER
TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PRESERVE
AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES.
THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO
WORK TOGETHER INVOLVES ILLEGAL
GAMING STATE-WIDE AND ITS IMPACT
ON TAXPAYERS AND CONSUMERS
ACROSS WISCONSIN.
IT'S ESTIMATED MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS OF TAXABLE REVENUE IS
NOT COLLECTED ON THE ESTIMATED
SIXTY-THOUSAND TAVERN GAMING
MACHINES ACROSS WISCONSIN.
SHOULD I SAY THAT AGAIN?
YES, THIS IS SIGNIFICANT REVENUE
BEING EARNED BY TAVERNS IN
COMPETITION WITH TRIBAL CASINOS.
BUT THIS TOPIC ENCOMPASSES
SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS WITH
GREATER IMPACT THAN JUST A
REVENUE FIGHT.
BEYOND THE FACT THAT TRIBES WERE
PROMISED EXCLUSIVE GAMING RIGHTS
WITHIN WISCONSIN, THE STATE HAS
AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THE
INTEGRITY OF PRODUCTS BEING
PRODUCED AND OFFERED TO
WISCONSIN CONSUMERS.
FOR NEARLY EVERY OTHER GOOD AND
SERVICE OFFERED TO WISCONSIN
CONSUMERS, THERE ARE PROPER
PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.
YET, TAVERN GAMING MACHINES ARE
A GLARING EXAMPLE OF A PRODUCT
THAT IS OFFERED TO WISCONSIN
CONSUMERS WITH LITTLE OR NO
REGULATIONS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.
THE WISCONSIN TAVERN GAMING
ENVIRONMENT IS RIPE FOR
CONSUMERS TO BE MISLED AND
RIPPED OFF.
EQUALLY CONCERNING IS THE
REVENUE LOST THAT COULD OFFSET
THE TAX BURDEN OF WISCONSIN
TAXPAYERS.
WITHOUT PROPER PROTECTIONS IN
PLACE, CONSUMERS ARE LEFT TO
WONDER IF TAVERN GAMING,
MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS, AND
OPERATORS ARE MANIPULATING
DEVICES FOR PERSONAL GAIN,
DISHONESTY OR THEFT.
WISCONSIN CONSUMERS ARE ALSO
KNOWINGLY OR UNKNOWINGLY
ENJOYING THE BENEFIT OF WINNING
TAXABLE PAYOUTS ON TAVERN GAMING
DEVICES WITHOUT ANY RECORD OR
REQUIREMENT TO PAY APPLICABLE
TAXES ON THEIR WINNINGS.
THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A PRODUCT
OR SERVICE ALLOWED TO BE SOLD
TO, OR EXPERIENCED BY, CONSUMERS
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN THAT
SIGNIFICANTLY LACS THE
APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS AND
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS THAT ARE
REQUIRED TO BE IN PLACE FOR THE
BENEFIT OF WISCONSIN CONSUMERS.
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN HAS A
SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY TO
EITHER ELIMINATE THE ILLEGAL
TAVERN GAMING ENVIRONMENT, OR
SIGNIFICANTLY AND FORMALLY
ADDRESS THE GLARING LACK OF
REGULATORY OVERSIGHT AND
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS THAT
CURRENTLY EXIST IN THE TAVERN
GAMING ENVIRONMENT.
TO NOT ACT ON EITHER ONE OF
THESE OPTIONS DEPRIVES THE STATE
OF VALUABLE REVENUE AND THE
ABILITY TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO
ITS CITIZENS.
FURTHERMORE, IT EXPOSES THOSE
SAME CITIZENS TO AN UNREGULATED
GAMING AND POTENTIALLY
ILL-GOTTEN GAINS FROM HARD
WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF
WISCONSIN.
BEYOND GETTING GRASP ON LOST
REVENUE FROM ILLEGAL GAMING AND
PROVIDING CONSUMER PROTECTIONS,
THERE'S ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE STATE AND TRIBES TO
COLLABORATE ON CASINO REVENUES
FOR GREATER IMPACT ON TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES.
WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT EVERY
TRIBE, AS WELL AS THE STATE,
BENEFITS FROM TRIBAL CASINO
REVENUES.
EACH OF OUR TRIBES HAS CASINOS.
DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION,
CASINO REVENUES VARY
DRASTICALLY.
FOR MOST OF US, REVENUE FROM
GAMING GOES TO HELP OUR MEMBERS
MEET BASIC NEEDS LIKE HEALTH,
HOUSING, HEATING, EDUCATION AND
MORE.
ONCE THOSE FUNDS ARE EXHAUSTED,
MOST OF US FALL SHORT OF
PROVIDING BASIC SERVICES, MUCH
LESS HAVING ENOUGH TO INVEST IN
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.
FOR OUR TRIBES TO MAKE STRIDES
TOWARD ECONOMIC
SELF-SUSTAINABILITY, WE MUST
DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMIC ENGINES
BEYOND CASINO REVENUES.
WE BELIEVE THERE'S AN
OPPORTUNITY AND A NEED TO
REEXAMINE SHARED GAMING REVENUE
AS A MEANS TO FACILITATE TRIBAL
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION EFFORTS
AND MEET THE BASIC NEEDS OF OUR
PEOPLE.
SIMILAR TO THE STATE CORPORATE
INCOME TAX, THE RATE FOR CASINOS
IS ON AVERAGE SEVEN TO TEN
PERCENT.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED BY
TRIBES ANNUALLY HAS AVERAGED
ABOUT $60 MILLION.
ABOUT HALF OF THAT AMOUNT GOES
INTO GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUE AND
THE OTHER HALF GETS APPROPRIATED
BETWEEN STATE PROGRAMS AND
TRIBAL PROGRAMS.
OF THE FUNDS APPROPRIATED, ABOUT
60% GO TO STATE PROGRAMS AND 40%
TO TRIBAL PROGRAMS.
ABOUT $12 MILLION PROVIDES
FUNDING FOR 25-30 SEPARATE
TRIBAL PROGRAMS.
FUNDING LEVELS FOR THESE
PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN FROZEN FOR
THE PAST 20 YEARS.
THESE PROGRAMS ARE VITAL TO OUR
TRIBES.
AS YOU CONSIDER SIGNIFICANT
INCREASES TO SHARED REVENUE TO
COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, WE
BELIEVE THERE'S GREAT BENEFIT TO
INCREASING FUNDING FOR IMPORTANT
TRIBAL PROGRAMS AS WELL.
IN THE PRIOR STATE BUDGET,
GOVERNOR EVERS PROPOSED A $1
MILLION GRANT TO EACH TRIBE FROM
TRIBAL GAMING REVENUES.
UNFORTUNATELY, ALL THOSE FUNDS
WERE NOT APPROVED.
BUT THANKS TO SENATOR MARY
FELZKOWSKI'S SUPPORT IN THE
LEGISLATURE, $7 MILLION WERE
DISTRIBUTED TO TRIBES.
GOING FORWARD, OUR HOPE IS THAT
THE $15 MILLION RECOMMENDED BY
GOVERNOR EVERS WILL BE APPROVED
AND DISTRIBUTED IN AN EQUITABLE
WAY AMONG TRIBES TO HELP MEET
NEEDS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.
[APPLAUSE]
SWITCHING GEARS TO THE
ENVIRONMENT, WE CONTINUE TO BE
PRESENTED WITH A FALSE CHOICE.
WE DO NOT NEED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN
HAVING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND
BREATHING CLEAN AIR, DRINKING
CLEAN WATER, AND CULTIVATING
UNCONTAMINATED LAND.
[APPLAUSE]
PRACTICAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
AND PROTECTIONS CREATE
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC PROGRESS
AND ENCOURAGE INNOVATION THAT
SUPPORTS A BETTER TOMORROW.
WITHOUT A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT,
MUCH LIKE A HEALTHY BODY,
EVERYTHING ELSE BECOMES
MEANINGLESS.
EVERYWHERE WE LOOK, WE CAN SEE
HOW INTERCONNECTED WE ARE WITH
OUR SURROUNDINGS.
WHAT YOU SEE IS A WORLD THAT IS
SLOWLY POISONING ITSELF.
[APPLAUSE]
FOREVER CHEMICALS, MERCURY, AND
OTHER POISONS IN OUR WATER
SUPPLY ARE LEACHING INTO OUR
FISH IN HIGH CONCENTRATIONS.
SOME REPORTS HAVE THAT
CONCENTRATION IN FISH AT HIGHER
LEVELS THAN RECOMMENDED
CONTAMINATION LEVELS IN DRINKING
WATER.
THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW WE
ARE SLOWLY POISONING OURSELVES.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES.
A RECENT STUDY FROM DUKE
UNIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
WORKING GROUP RESEARCHERS FOUND
LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF FOREVER
CHEMICALS IN FRESHWATER FISH
SAMPLED NATIONWIDE BY THE EPA
FROM 2013-2015, WITH THE HIGHEST
LEVELS FOUND IN THE GREAT LAKES.
IF ALL CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES
INCORPORATED THE EPA'S LATEST
HEALTH GUIDANCE, THE STUDY
FOUND, NEARLY ALL SAMPLED FISH
WOULD BE CONSIDERED "UNSAFE TO
EAT."
LET'S PUT THAT ONE FINDING IN A
REALLY MEANINGFUL CONTEXT.
LET'S PUT THAT ONE FINDING IN
VERY REAL AND MEANINGFUL CONTEXT
TO A WISCONSIN TRADITION NEARLY
ALL WISCONSINITES ENJOY.
OUR BELOVED WISCONSIN FRIDAY
FISH FRY MIGHT JUST REQUIRE A
MR. YUCK STICKER TO PREVENT
PEOPLE FROM POISONING
THEMSELVES.
IF POISONING OURSELVES ISN'T
MOTIVATION ENOUGH FOR US TO
PRODUCE EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICIES, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN
THE VALUE OF MOST PEOPLE'S
GREATEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT,
THEIR HOME.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A HOME WITH
NO WATER SUPPLY?
A POISONED WELL, OR SURFACE
WATER SOURCE, MAKES THE HOME
VALUE ZERO.
I WOULD ARGUE, THE VALUE IS LESS
THAN ZERO.
BECAUSE THE HEALTH OF THE
HOMEOWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
CONSUMING FOREVER CHEMICALS, FOR
EXAMPLE, COST MORE THAN MONEY.
IT COST THEM THEIR HEALTH AND
PEACE OF MIND.
WITH THIS IN MIND, I WOULD
ENCOURAGE THE STATE TO WORK WITH
TRIBES, WHO FOR UNDREDS OF
YEARS HAVE LIVED CLOSE TO LAND.
OUR EXPERIENCE PROTECTING AND
PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT WOULD
BE A VALUED RESOURCE IN
DESIGNING FORWARD-LOOKING
POLICIES TO ENSURE ALL THE
ECONOMIC VALUE GENERATED WITHIN
WISCONSIN IS BUILT ON SOLID
GROUND FOR GENERATIONS.
THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF
COLLABORATION AMONG TRIBES AND
THE STATE.
AND THERE COULD BE MANY MORE.
ONE EXAMPLE INVOLVES THE TRIBES'
WORK WITH THE WISCONSIN DNR.
TRIBAL FISH HATCHERIES SUPPLY
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WALLEYE
AND MUSKIE TO RESTOCK LAKES,
BOTH ON-RESERVATION AND
OFF-RESERVATION LAKES, FOR ALL
TO ENJOY.
AS GREAT AS OUR HISTORIC
COLLABORATION IS ON PRODUCING
FISH, I WOULD ASK YOU TO
CONSIDER THIS QUESTION: DO
THOSE FISH THEN CONTRIBUTE TO
THE FOOD SUPPLY, AND EVEN DRIVE
TOURISM DOLLARS TO THE STATE
ECONOMY, IF THE WATER IS
CONTAMINATED, FISH ABSORB TOXINS
AND THEN NO ONE CAN EAT THE
POISONED FISH?
MORE COLLABORATION CERTAINLY IS
REQUIRED TO ENSURE OUR ECONOMY
IS BUILT ON SUSTAINABLE GROUND.
RIGHT NOW, ENBRIDGE ENERGY
CONTINUES TO POISON OUR
ENVIRONMENT AND FIGHT FOR THE
ONGOING RIGHT TO DO SO BY
RUNNING LINE 5 THROUGH AREAS
THAT IMPACT THOSE LIVING IN AND
AROUND THE BAD RIVER
RESERVATION.
ALARMINGLY, LINE 5 HAS A LONG
HISTORY OF UNLEASHING
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, ACCORDING
TO STUDIES.
IN THE LAST 50 YEARS, THE
PIPELINE HAS HAD 29 SPILLS,
RELEASING A TOTAL OF 1.1 MILLION
GALLONS OF TOXIC OIL INTO THE
ENVIRONMENT.
RESEARCHERS RECENTLY DETERMINED
THAT MOST SPILLS WERE NOT EVEN
DISCOVERED BY ENBRIDGE'S LEAK
DETECTION SYSTEMS, WHICH
ENBRIDGE USES TO JUSTIFY
RECKLESS PIPELINE ROUTES.
WHY DO WE ALL ALLOW THE
SYSTEMATIC, SLOW POISONING OF
THE RESOURCES WE ALL REQUIRE TO
LIVE?
TO DATE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY ON
THE LINE 5 REROUTE, NOR LINE 5'S
IMPACTS ON THE BAD RIVER
WATERSHED OR THE POTENTIAL
POISONING OF THE APOSTLE ISLAND
REGION.
WE WOULD ENCOURAGE THE STATE TO
CONDUCT AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STUDY OF LINE 5.
WE WOULD ENCOURAGE THE STATE TO
CONSIDER IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT OF A PIPELINE THAT DID
NOT EXIST.
IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT IF WE
DISALLOWED THE PIPELINE
ALTOGETHER?
[APPLAUSE]
WHAT WOULD BE THE POTENTIAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TO LAKE
SUPERIOR, WHICH IS PART OF THE
GREAT LAKES, WHICH CONTAINS 20%
OF THE WORLD'S FRESH WATER
SUPPLY?
I'D SAY IT WOULD STAND A
FIGHTING CHANCE TO PROVIDE CLEAN
DRINKING WATER AND
UNCONTAMINATED FISH FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
ONE FINAL NOTE ON THE
ENVIRONMENT.
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 20 YEAR
ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOKAOGON
CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TO
STOP THE CRANDON MINE.
[APPLAUSE]
WITH THAT IN MIND, I WOULD OFFER
A WORD OF CAUTION TO ALL WHO
VALUE CLEAN WATER, AIR AND LAND.
MINING EFFORTS ARE RAMPING UP
AROUND THE WORLD FOR MINERALS.
BY SOME ESTIMATES, THE LEVEL OF
MINERALS REQUIRED TO MEET GLOBAL
DEMAND WILL INCREASE MINING
ACTIVITY BY 3-5 TIMES THE
CURRENT AMOUNT OF MINERAL
PRODUCTION.
THOSE SAME ESTIMATES INDICATE
THE CURRENT NUMBER OF MINES
WORLDWIDE WILL NOT BE CAPABLE OF
MEETING GLOBAL DEMAND.
THIS MEANS MORE COMPANIES WILL
PUSH FOR MORE MINES TO BE
OPENED, RESULTING IN AN EVEN
GREATER THREAT OF POLLUTING OUR
NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE ALL
DEPEND ON FOR SURVIVAL.
[APPLAUSE]
AND, AS MUCH AS OUR HEALTH
DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO
CONSUME UNCONTAMINATED
RESOURCES, THE ACTIVITIES BY
MINING COMPANIES ALSO THREATEN
OUR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.
ONE SIMPLE EXAMPLE INVOLVES THE
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TOURISM
OUR STATE ENJOYS, BASED IN PART
ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES WE HAVE
FOR PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE.
RUIN THOSE NATURAL RESOURCES AND
PEOPLE WILL TAKE THEIR TOURISM
DOLLARS ELSEWHERE.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT
EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOLS.
THERE CONTINUES TO BE ONGOING
NEED FOR GREATER UNDERSTANDING
OF OUR CULTURE TO LESSEN THE
UGLY SIDE OF HUMAN NATURE WHEN
IGNORANCE OPENS THE DOOR TO
DISCRIMINATION.
AN IMPORTANT STATE LAW THAT GREW
OUT OF A DARK PERIOD FOR TRIBAL
PEOPLE WAS THE PASSAGE OF THE
WISCONSIN INDIAN EDUCATION ACT,
OR BETTER KNOWN AS ACT 31.
THE INTENT OF THAT LEGISLATION
WAS TO ESTABLISH EDUCATION
OBJECTIVES FOR TEACHING OUR
YOUNG PEOPLE, BOTH INDIAN AND
NON-INDIAN, ABOUT TRIBAL
HISTORY, CULTURE, AND TRIBAL
SOVEREIGNTY.
THE LAW REQUIRES THAT SCHOOLS
MAKE AN EFFORT TO TEACH THESE
TOPICS AT LEAST TWICE IN ALL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND ONCE IN
HIGH SCHOOLS.
I BELIEVE WE ALL CAN AGREE THAT
FOR A PERSON TO EVOLVE THEIR
UNDERSTANDING OF THE AROUND
THEM, IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE TO
TWO LESSONS.
[APPLAUSE]
ACT 31 HAS BEEN FOLLOWED CLOSELY
BY SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
SCHOOLTEACHERS.
UNFORTUNATELY, IN MANY
DISTRICTS, WE DO NOT THINK THE
GOAL OF THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN
ADEQUATELY MET.
[APPLAUSE]
FOR THIS REASON, THE
STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
HAS DEVELOPED LEGISLATION
DESIGNED TO GET MORE SCHOOLS,
SCHOOL OFFICIALS, AND TEACHERS
TO CARRY OUT THE ORIGINAL GOAL
OF ACT 31.
WE HOPE THIS LEGISLATURE WILL
SUPPORT THESE BILLS COMING
BEFORE YOU THIS SESSION.
STICKING WITH THE EDUCATION
FOCUS, WE BELIEVE THE STATE
EDUCATION SYSTEM REMAINS STRONG
OVERALL.
BUT THERE REMAINS A BLACK CLOUD
HANGING OVER IT, THE USE OF
INDIAN MASCOTS AND LOGOS.
MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE
ALREADY MADE WHAT WE THINK IS
THE RIGHT DECISION TO PHASE OUT
THE USE OF THEIR MASCOT OR LOGO
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE ALSO
EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN
CHANGING THEIR MASCOTS, BUT THEY
FEAR THE COST IS GREATER THAN
THEIR BUDGETS CAN WITHSTAND.
WE UNDERSTAND THE COST CONCERNS
AND THINK A GOOD WAY TO OVERCOME
THOSE CONCERNS MIGHT BE TO
PROVIDE SOME ONE-TIME FUNDING
FROM TRIBAL GAMING PROCEEDS TO
SHARE IN THE COST OF MAKING
THOSE CHANGES.
[APPLAUSE]
THERE MAY BE OTHER REASONS WHY A
SCHOOL MIGHT NOT WANT TO MAKE
THOSE CHANGES, BUT AT THE VERY
LEAST, LET'S REMOVE THE COST
HURDLE TO CREATE A MORE
INCLUSIVE, LESS OFFENSIVE
ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL CHILDREN TO
LEARN.
[APPLUSE]
WE CERTAINLY VIEW TRIBAL MASCOTS
AND LOGOS AS REFLECTING A LACK
OF
UNDERSTANDING, RESPECT, AND
DIGNITY.
WE ALSO BELIEVE A LACK RESPECT
AND DIGNITY PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT
ROLE IN THE EPIDEMIC IMPACTING
TRIBAL WOMEN AND GIRLS.
THE MISSING AND MURDERED
INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND RELATIVES
OR M-M-I-W-R CRISIS AFFECTS
EVERYONE IN OUR STATE REGARDLESS
OF AGE, RACE, OR POLITICAL
PARTY.
[APPLAUSE]
WE ASK THAT THE LEGISLATURE WORK
WITH THE TRIBES TO ESTABLISH
MANDATORY CONSULTATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION PROTOCOLS.
FOR IMPROVED IDENTIFICATION AND
DATA COLLECTION, AS WELL AS
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS AND
RESOURCES FOR VICTIM AND
PREVENTION SERVICES.
[APPLAUSE]
IN ADDITION, WE ASK THAT THIS
LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE GOVERNOR
EVERS' PROPOSAL TO CREATE A
STATE OFFICE DEDICATED TO
COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAIN
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.
[APPLAUSE]
THROUGH RECIPROCAL ENGAGEMENT,
CONSULTATION, AND
IMPLEMENTATION, WE BELIEVE
THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD
ON OUR EXISTING EFFORTS WITH
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
RECENT DECADES HAVE SEEN STEADY
GROWTH IN THE SCOPE AND
SOPHISTICATION OF TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS IN WISCONSIN AND
ELSEWHERE IN THE NATION.
TRIBES ARE CONTINUALLY TAKING ON
MORE OF THE STANDARD FUNCTIONS
OF GOVERNMENTS AND OFFERING MORE
SERVICES TO THEIR MEMBERS.
THIS IS TRUE IN THE AREA OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER FUNCTIONS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT
AREA WHERE TRIBES HAVE EXTENSIVE
INTERACTION WITH THE STATE,
PARTICULARLY THROUGH COOPERATION
WITH COUNTY SHERIFFS'
DEPARTMENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOME TRIBAL POLICE
OFFICERS HAVE STATE ARREST
POWERS AND SOME ARE DEPUTIZED BY
THE SHERIFFS OF THE COUNTIES
WHERE THE TRIBES ARE LOCATED.
THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY, AND
SPECIALIZED CAPABILITIES OF, THE
TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS VARY
CONSIDERABLY.
BUT THERE IS SOME COMMONALITY
AMONG THEM.
ALL PROVIDE BASIC PATROL
SERVICES ON THE RESERVATION, AND
OFF, MOST PARTICIPATE IN THE
NATIVE AMERICAN DRUG AND GANG
INITIATIVE, AND MANY HAVE SCHOOL
LIAISON OFFICERS.
MOST TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS
COOPERATE EXTENSIVELY WITH
COUNTY SHERIFFS' DEPARTMENTS.
THIS COOPERATION INCLUDES
PERFORMING JOINT DISPATCH
FUNCTIONS, ASSISTING EACH OTHER
IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, AS
WELL AS PARTICIPATION IN
REGIONAL SWAT TEAMS, EMERGENCY
RESPONSE TEAMS, AND DRUG AND
GANG PREVENTION TEAMS, TO MAKE A
FEW.
IN ADDITION, MANY TRIBES HAVE
COOPERATIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAMS OR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE
AGREEMENTS WITH COUNTIES.
THE REALITY OF PROVIDING
EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR
PEOPLE LIVING ON AND AROUND OUR
RESERVATIONS, HAVING
STATE-CERTIFIED OFFICERS WHO ARE
CROSS-TRAINED AND DEPUTIZED BY
THE COUNTY SHERIFF, ALSO MEANS
THOSE OFFICERS HAVE A GREAT DEAL
OF FLEXIBILITY TO SEAMLESSLY
MOVE TO A NEW JOB WITHIN THE
WISCONSIN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SYSTEM.
OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, TRIBAL
NATIONS HAVE EXPERIENCED THEIR
OFFICERS LEAVING TO TAKE
EMPLOYMENT WITH A COUNTY OR
MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD
AFTER THEY HAVE COMPLETED
TRAINING.
WE HAVE FOUND THAT ONE COMMON
REASON OFFICERS LEAVE IS THAT
THEY ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE WISCONSIN PENSION SYSTEM
WHEN THEY WORK FOR A COUNTY OR
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
TRIBAL POLICE OFFICERS, HOWEVER,
ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE STATE PENSION PLAN.
WE WOULD PROPOSE A STATE LAW
CHANGE THAT WOULD GREATLY ASSIST
TRIBAL NATIONS WITH RETAINING
TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
BY PERMITTING THEM TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE WISCONSIN
RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
[APPLAUSE]
THIS PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD ALLOW
TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
DEPARTMENTS TO HAVE A SIMILAR
RETIREMENT BENEFIT.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, WE ALL
WILL BENEFIT FROM GREATER
COLLABORATION TO TACKLE MUTUAL
CONCERNS AND CULTIVATE
OPPORTUNITIES.
TRIBES HAVE A UNIQUE
RELATIONSHIP AND LONG HISTORY OF
INTERACTING WITH THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
BUT THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE
MUCH CLOSER "NEIGHBORS"TO THE
STATES."
WE ARE LITERALLY NEIGHBORS OF
THE MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES
THAT COMPRISE EACH STATE.
AS UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND
MEMBERS OF OUR RESPECTIVE TRIBAL
NATIONS, WE WALK IN TWO WORLDS.
BECAUSE THOSE WORLDS OFTEN
OVERLAP, IN MANY CASES, TRIBES
HAVE SOUGHT AND TO VARYING
DEGREES HAVE RECEIVED THE
AUTHORITY TO BECOME THE DELIVERY
AGENTS OF STATE SERVICES FOR THE
RESIDENTS OF THEIR RESERVATIONS.
THIS PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY AND
OBLIGATION TO WORK TOGETHER TO
IMPROVE THE EFFICIENT AND
EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES
AND EQUITABLE INVESTMENT IN ALL
OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
WE BELIEVE THROUGH GREATER
COLLABORATION WE CAN ACHIEVE
GREATER LEVELS OF MUTUAL BENEFIT
FOR ALL WHO CALL WISCONSIN HOME.
MIIGWECH!
[APPLA
[APPLAUSE]