♪ >> POTTAWATOMIE YOUTH ROYALTY,
SENIOR PRINCESS, LAM DANIELS. JUNIOR PRINCESS, LATIAH LA
BARGE, BRAVE SHEPHERD, SENIOR PRINCESS LOVIE VAN ZILE.
JUNIOR PRINCESS, JAELA FRANK. AND BRAVE BRODY WHITE.
(RECITING OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE)
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WHILE THEY ARE FILING OUT, THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS A
CALL THE ROLL. THE CLERK WILL OPEN THE ROLL.
(BELL CHIMES)
>> HAVE ALL MEMBERS RECORDED THEIR PRESENCE?
IF SO, THE CLERK WILL CLOSE THE ROLL.
A QUORUM IS PRESENT. GENTLEMEN FROM THE 67th.
>> MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT FOR A LEAVE OF ABSENCE
FOR THE DAY FOR THE GENTLE LADY FROM THE 73rd AND TEMPORARY
LEAVE FOR THE JAFROM THE 88th AND 96th.
>> ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT A TEMPORARY LEAVE BE GRANTED FOR
THE GENTLEMAN FROM THE 36th AND LEAVE FOR THE BALANCE
GRANTED TO THE LADY FROM THE 73rd.
HEARING NONE, IT IS SO ORDERED. WELL, TODAY IS NOT A JOINT
CONVENTION. STATE SENATE, THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH AND THE STATE SUPREME COURT.
LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A WARM WELCOME ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> IN KEEPING WITH THE LONG TRADITION OF THE LEGISLATURE, WE
HAVE INVITED JAMES CRAWFORD, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREST COUNTY
POTTAWATOMIE, WHO WILL GIVE TODAY'S TRIBAL ADDRESS.
WE WOULD INVITE HIM TO THE PODIUM.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
(SPEAKS IN NATIVE TONGUE)
>> HELLO, ALL MY RELATIVES. MY NAME IS THUNDERBIRD THAT
WATCHES OVER AND PROTECTS US. I AM EAGLE CLAN.
I AM A POTTAWATOMIE INDIAN. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU A
LITTLE BIT IN MY LANGUAGE TODAY, BUT NOW I WILL SPEAK TO YOU IN
ENGLISH. THANK YOU TO MY WIFE, JENNIFER,
MY DAUGHTERS PEYTON, MARYJANE, CIERRA, AND MY SON, DYLAN THAT
ARE HERE TODAY WITH ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JAMES CRAWFORD AND I
AM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREST
COUNTY POTTAWATOMIE COMMUNITY. IT'S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO
BE SPEAKING BEFORE YOU TODAY, AND I STAND HERE WITH THE UTMOST
RESPECT AND GRATITUDE FOR YOUR INVITATION.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RODRIGUEZ, MAJORITY SPEAKER VOS, MAJORITY
LEADER LEMAHIEU, SENATE MINORITY LEADER, HESSLBINE, ASSEMBLY
LEADER NEWBAUER. MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE,
MEMBERS OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, CABINET
SECRETARIES, JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT, ESTEEMED ELDERS,
VETERANS, FELLOW TRIBAL LEADERS, AND OTHER HONORED GUESTS FOR
BEING HERE TODAY. WE ARE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO
HAVE THIS FORUM EVERY YEAR TO BRING ATTENTION TO WISCONSIN
INDIAN COUNTY AND GIVE YOU INSUITS ON ISSUES CURRENTLY
IMPACTING THE PEOPLE OF THE 11 TRIBAL NATIONS IN THIS GREAT
STATE. ADDRESS WILL BRING A DESIRE TO
FURTHER IS CELEBRATE AND STRENGTHEN A COOPERATIVE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND THE TRIBAL
NATIONS. THIS ADDRESS HAS BEEN GOING ON
NOW FOR 20 YEARS AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, OR MIGWETCH IN
OUR LANGUAGE, TO ALL OF OUR WISCONSIN STATE LEADERS FOR YOUR
CONTINUED SUPPORT. OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS TO GIVE
YOU A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF TRIBAL PEOPLE AND CULTURES IS
APPRECIATED BY ALL OF US, SO MIGWETCH.
ASKED BY MY FELLOW TRIBAL LEADERS TO STAND HERE AND
REPRESENT WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL NATIONS AT THIS YEAR'S STATE OF
THE TRIBE ADDRESS. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MY FELLOW
TRIBAL LEADERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY.
PLEASE STAND WHEN YOUR NAME IS MENTIONED.
AMONG US WE HAVE CHAIRMAN ROBERT BLANCHARD FROM THE BAND
REPETITIVE BAND OF THE LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> PRESIDENT JOHN JOHNSON, SR., LAC DU FLAMBEAU, BAND OF LAKE
SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIAN. CHAIRMAN TEHASSI HILL, ONEIDA
NATION.
>> PRESIDENT JON GREENDEER, HO-CHUNK NATION.
CHAIRWOMAN NICOLE BOYD, RED CLIFF BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR
CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
PRESIDENT SHANNON HOLSEY, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE COMMUNITY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> VICE CHAIRWOMAN GINA KAKKAK, MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF
WISCONSIN. >> CHAIRMAN THOMAS FOWLER, SAINT
CROIX CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF WISCONSIN.
COUNCILMAN LELAND VAN ZILE, SOKOAGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY.
ALSO WITH US TODAY IS CHAIRMAN JIM WILLIAMS, LAC VIEUX DESERT
BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE PLACED IN ME AS I
DELIVER THESE REMARKS TODAY. I WANT TO USE MY TIME WITH YOU
TODAY TO EMPHASIZE SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT TRIBAL NATIONS HOLD
CLOSELY, PROVIDE YOU WITH A LITTLE HISTORY AND CELEBRATE AND
REMIND YOU OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU'VE ACHIEVED
WITH WISCONSIN'S TRIBES. HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL HELP SET
THE STAGE FOR NEW AND BETTER WAYS WE CAN CONTINUE TO
COLLABORATE, TO ACHIEVE OUR COMMON GOALS.
THE RECOGNITION OF TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT TENETS OF NATIVE PEOPLES.
RIBES HAVE BEEN GOVERNIO THEIR OWN PEOPLE LIVE, ACT, AND
RULE FOR COUNTLESS GENERATIONS AND EACH TRIBE IN WISCONSIN IS
ITS OWN SOVEREIGN NATION AND HAS ITS OWN DISTINCT CHALLENGES AND
OPPORTUNITIES. SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED,
BUT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE ALWAYS INHERENTLY HELD.
THIS INHERENT SOVEREIGNTY IS WHAT TRIBES CONTINUOUSLY WORK TO
PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND ENHANCEú. EACH TRIBE IN WISCONSIN ALSO HAS
ITS OWN ANICHE HISTORY. WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN STORIES AND
TRADITIONS THAT HAVE HELPED SHAPE OUR CULTURES AND GUIDE WHO
WE ARE TODAY. FOR THE POTTAWATOMIE, THE
REMEMBRANCES OF OUR ANCESTORS AND THE TIES TO OUR TREATY LANDS
IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT. WHILE THE FOREST COUNTY
POTTAWATOMIE TODAY HAVE RESERVATION LANDS IN THE NORTH
WOODS OF WISCONSIN, THAT IS NOT OUR TREATY LAND.
LIKE THE OTHER TRIBES IN WISCONSIN, THE POTTAWATOMIE WERE
FORCED OFF THEIR LANDS. THE POTTAWATOMIE'S HOME IN
WISCONSIN STRETCHED SOUTH FROM POTTAWATOMIE LIGHTHOUSE AND THE
POTTAWATOMIE STATE PARK IN DOOR COUNTY ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN
THROUGH MILWAUKEE AND JUST WEST TO WALWORTH COUNTY NEAR BIG FOOT
BEACH STATE PARK, WHICH IS NAMED AFTER POTTAWATOMIE CHIEF
BIGFOOT. AND OUR DEEP TIES TO THOSE AREAS
CAN BE STILL SEEN TODAY. CITIES LIKE KENOSHA, WAUKESHA,
SHEGOYGAN AND MANITOWOC ARE ALL DERIVED FROM THE POTTAWATOMIE
LANGUAGE. ABOUT OUR HOME, THAT IS WHAT WE
MEAN. EVEN THOUGH EACH TRIBE IN
WISCONSIN IS UNIQUE WITH THEIR OWN HISTORIES, CULTURES AND
DISTINCT CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, THE TRIBES STILL
SHARE MEN COMMONALITIES, ESPECIALLY THE DESIRE AND
WILLINGNESS TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO STRESS WITH ALL OF YOU TODAY.
DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES, WISCONSIN'S TRIBES AND OUR STATE
LEADERS CAN AND MUST CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE AND WORK TOGETHER
FOR THE GREATER GOOD. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SERVE
AS THE ELECTED LEADER OF THE POTTAWATOMIE FOR THE LAST YEAR.
BEFORE SERVING AS CHAIRMAN, I SPENT MORE THAN 10 YEARS IN
VARIOUS ROLES AS AN ELECTED TRIBAL LEADER ON OUR EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL. AND BEFORE THAT, I SERVED MY
TRIBE IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES, INCLUDING SERVING AS BOARD
CHAIRMAN OF THE POTTAWATOMIE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION. MY TRIBE BECAUSE I WANT TO HELP
MY PEOPLE AND MY TRIBE NEEDS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP.
BUT MY WORK SERVING MY TRIBE IS ONLY ONE PART OF WHO I AM.
I'M ALSO A HUSBAND, A FATHER, AND A GRANDFATHER.
MY WIFE JENNIFER AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 29 YEARS.
WE HAVE SEVEN BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH
THREE GRANDCHILDREN, WITH ONE MORE ON THE WAY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I TELL YOU THIS ABOUT ME TO REMIND YOU THAT EACH OF US HAS
HAD A DIFFERENT LIFE. DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT
SHAPE AND GUIDE WHO WE ARE, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ALL BRING A
UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO THE SITUATIONS AROUND US.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GAIN PERSPECTIVE FROM THOSE AROUND
US. THAT ALL OF YOU IN THIS ROOM
REACH OUT TO THOSE AROUND YOU, INCLUDING WISCONSIN'S TRIBES TO
GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVES ON THE ISSUES YOU ARE CHARGED WITH
TACKLING. THE PERSPECTIVES BROUGHT BY
WISCONSIN TRIBES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE
HAVE ACCOMPLISHED POSITIVE THINGS FOR ALL OF US.
FOR EXAMPLE, HEALTHCARE. HEALTHCARE IS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT AND COSTLY SERVICES THAT TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE
TO BOTH THEIR PEOPLE AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY.
AND BECAUSE OF TRIBAL HEALTH CENTERS -- AND BECAUSE TRIBAL
HEALTH CENTERS SERVE LARGE POPULATIONS THAT ARE MEDICAID
ELIGIBLE, THEIR CONTINUED OPERATION IS ESSENTIAL.
UNFORTUNATELY, DELAYS IN REIMBURSEMENTS BY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND THE COMPLEXITIES IN REPORTING HAVE LEFT TRIBAL
HEALTH FACILITIES WITH UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL STRAINS.
IN SOME CASES, TRIBAL HEALTH CENTERS WERE WAITING YEARS TO BE
REIMBURSED FOR SERVICES. BUT LUCKILY, THERE WAS A PATH TO
ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL FEDERALLY
QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS WERE ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT AN
ALL-INCLUSIVE RATE FOR THEIR PAYMENT METHOD.
THIS RATE TYPICALLY RESULTS IN GREATER OVERALL FEDERAL
REIMBURSEMENT, MORE TIMELY PAYMENT FOR CLAIMS AND
SIMPLIFIED REPORTING, ALL OF WHICH WILL HELP ALLEVIATE
CURRENT FISCAL CHALLENGES AND ALLOW TRIBAL HEALTH FACILITIES
TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.
CHI MIGWETCH, GOVERNOR EVERS, FOR YOUR HELP IN IDENTIFYING
THIS CRITICAL ISSUE AND FIND A WAY TO BRING MUCH NEEDED
ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE FUNDING TO WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL NATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND CHI MIGWETCH TO CO-CHAIRS SENATOR HOWARD MARKLEIN AND
REPRESENTATIVE MARK BORN AND THE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE
ON FINANCE FOR THEIR RECOGNITION OF THIS ISSUE AND THEIR APPROVAL
OF THE EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL CHANGE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> EACH TRIBE IN WISCONSIN WILL SEE POSITIVE BENEFIT FROM THIS
CHANGE. AND BECAUSE OF THIS CHANGE,
WISCONSIN'S TRIBES WILL SEE A MORE THAN $60 MILLION INCREASE
IN THEIR FEDERAL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS.
SIGNIFICANT --
>> THAT IS LIKELY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL GAIN FOR
WISCONSIN TRIBES SINCE THE ADVENT OF TRIBAL GAMING IN THIS
STATE. [APPLAUSE]
>> ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS
IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE.
GETTING A WELL BALANCED DIET OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND A
VARIETY OF PROTEINS IS ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD HEALTH AND NUTRITION.
HOWEVER, GETTING ACCESS TO THAT FOOD CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR SOME
COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS OF OUR STATE.
AND FOR NATIVES, ENSURING THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL,
INDIGENOUS FOODS IS CRITICAL. THAT IS --
[APPLAUSE]
>> THAT IS WHY THE TRIBAL ELDER FOOD BOX PROGRAM HAS BEEN SO
IMPORTANT. ELDERS CAN HAVE REGULAR ACCESS
TO TRADITIONAL, INDIGENOUS FOODS THAT ARE SOURCED FROM NATIVE AND
LOCAL PRODUCERS. ON A REGULAR BASIS, TRIBAL
ELDERS RECEIVE FOODS LIKE BISON, FISH, CORN, SQUASH, WILD RICE,
WHITE CORN FLOUR AND MANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO
INDIGENOUS DIETS AND IT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.
ELDERS IN ALL 11 TRIBES ARE NOW ABLE TO RECEIVE THESE IMPORTANT
FOOD ITEMS BECAUSE OF THIS PROGRAM.
AND THAT'S, IN PART, BECAUSE OF YOU.
THANK YOU, GOVERNOR EVERS, REPRESENTATIVE TONY KURTZ AND
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR PROVIDING $3 MILLION FROM GAMING
FUNDS IN THE STATE BUDGET TO ENSURE THIS PROGRAM CAN
CONTINUE. THE FUNDING YOU PROVIDED IN THE
STATE BUDGET MEANT THAT TRIBAL ELDERS CONTINUED TO HAVE ACCESS
TO WELL-BALANCED, HEALTHY, INDIGENOUS FOODS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND IT ENSURED THAT LOCAL PRODUCERS, BOTH TRIBAL AND
NON-TRIBAL, WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AND SELL THE
THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF GOODS NEEDED FOR THESE BOXES EVERY
MONTH. HEALTH AND ECONOMIC VITALITY OF
WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL PEOPLE AND OUR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
AROUND THE STATE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU
AGAIN IN THE NEXT STATE'S BUDGET TO ENSURE THAT THIS CAN
CONTINUE. [APPLAUSE]
>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND EMPLOYEES
RIGHT NOW.
EMPLOYERS AROUND THE STATE ARE STRUGGLING TO FILL VACANT
POSITIONS AND THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR COMMUNITIES IN THE
RURAL PARTS OF OUR STATE, AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS
HAPPENING IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. FINDING EMPLOYEES FOR TRIBAL
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS AND AND BECAUSE TRIBES ARE THE
LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN MANY OF THE COUNTIES WHERE WE ARE LOCATED,
THIS CAN CREATE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
THERE'S A MYRIAD OF REASONS WHY IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND EMPLOYEES
RIGHT NOW, BUT ONE CLEAR REASON IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO HIRE A NEW EMPLOYEE IF THERE IS NOWHERE FOR
THEM OR THEIR FAMILY TO LIVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO COMMEND THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR EVERS
FOR TAKING STEPS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO ADDRESS
THIS PROBLEM BY ENACTING A PACKAGE OF BIPARTISAN BILLS TO
HELP EXPAND ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKING
FAMILIES.
>> THIS IS NOT AN EASY PROBLEM TO FIX, BUT THE PACKAGE OF
BIPARTISAN BILLS YOU PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW WILL MAKE
POSITIVE STEPS TO CREATE A MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS IN
OUR COMMUNITIES. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
INCLUDING TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS IN YOUR DISCUSSIONS ON THIS ISSUE.
EARLY ON, YOU RECOGNIZED THAT THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
WAS ALSO IMPORTANT TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.
MAJORITY LEADER LEMAHIEU FOR MAKING SURE THAT TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
INFRASTRUCTURE LOAN FUND AND PROGRAM.
PROVIDING TOOLS -- [APPLAUSE]
>> PROVIDING TOOLS AND INCENTIVES LIKE THIS TO TRIBES
CAN GO A LONG WAY TO ADDRESSING
THIS ISSUE. BUT A LACK OF HOUSING ISN'T THE
ONLY OBSTACLE THAT WE FACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT'S ALSO INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT SKILLED
LABOR. TRIBES ALSO NEED DOCTORS AND
NURSES AND PHARMACISTS TO PROVIDE IMPORTANT SERVICES TO
OUR PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, CREATING MORE INCENTIVES
IS ONE WAY TO ENCOURAG PEOPLE TO WORK IN OUR RURAL
COMMUNITIES, SO I WANT TO SAY MIGWETCH TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE
ALEX DALLMAN AND STATE SENATOR ROB STAFSHOLT FOR THEIR
LEGISLATION TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TUITION,
REIMBURSEMENT FOR PHARMACY SCHOOL GRADUATES WHO WORK AT
INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING
PHARMACIES BY WISCONS RUN BY WIN TRIBES.
[APPLAUSE] RECOGNIZING THIS PROBLEM AND
REALIZING THAT TRIBES CAN HELP BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK WITH YOU ON THESE
ISSUES. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE WAYS
THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO
SOME OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ISSUES FACING TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN
WISCONSIN. BUT EVERYTHING WE DO TOGETHER
WON'T ALWAYS BE FLASHY OR EXCITING.
SOMETIMES IT'S SIMPLE. AND THAT'S ALSO WHAT YOU DID
THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. YOU HELPED FIX A LITTLE PROBLEM
THAT ALSO ALLOWED AN IMPORTANT RECOGNITION OF PARITY FOR TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS. THE POTTAWATOMIE WANTED TO ERECT
A MUNICIPAL WELCOME SIGN AT THE BORDERS OF OUR RESERVATION.
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH OUR STATE, IT'S COMMON TO SEE THESE LARGER,
MORE ELABORATE SIGNS WELCOMING VISITORS TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF
WISCONSIN. THESE SIGNS PROUDLY WELCOME YOU
TO PLACES LIKE THE MUSKY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD IN BOULDER JUNCTION
OR THE CHEESE CURD CAPITAL IN ELLSWORTH OR WISCONSIN'S CZECH
CAPITAL IN HILLSBOROUGH. THESE WELCOME SIGNS PROVIDE
VISITORS WITH A GLIMPSE INTO THE COMMUNITY AND HIGHLIGHT THE
PRIDE ITS RESIDENTS HAVE TO THEIR HOMETOWNS.
WHILE OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENT WERE ALLOWED TO ERECT THESE
SIGNS AT THEIR BOUNDARIES, TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS WERE NOT.
SO THANKS TO AUTHORS STATE RELATIONSHIP MURSAU AND STATE
SENATOR MARY FELZKOWSKI. YOU PASSED AND ENACTED A WARP
BILL THAT NOT ONLY ALLOWS TRIBES TO INSTALL THESE WELCOME SIGNS,
BUT ALSO RECOGNIZES OUR PARITY WITH OTHER TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS OR
WITH OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENTS. WHILE GRANTING TRIBES THE
ABILITY TO INSTALL MUNICIPAL WELCOME SIGNS DOESN'T SOLVE OUR
HOUSING OR EMPLOYEE SHORTAGE. IT DOES PROVIDE TRIBES WITH AN
IMPORTANT REINFORCEMENT OF OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND ALLOWS US TO BE
TREATED JUST LIKE OTHER GOVERNMENTS.
[APPLAUSE] GLIMPSE OF THE POSITIVE WAYS
THAT YOU HAVE WORKED WITH
WISCONSIN'S TRIBES. AND WHILE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
DO SOME POSITIVE THINGS TOGETHER, THERE IS STILL MUCH
MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THERE ARE STILL ISSUES LINGERING
THAT ARE TOO BE IMPORTANT TO IGNORE, SO WE NEED TO CONTINUE
TO HAVE A DIALOGUE TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
AND WHILE THESE PROBLEMS ARE DIFFICULT, WE APPRECIATE THE
EFFORTS YOU HAVE ALREADY UNDERTAKEN TO ADDRESS SOME OF
THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES. LIKE FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION.
FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN WORKING TO
ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES FACING CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES IN ADOPTION AND THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE NOT ONLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO FOR ME PERSONALLY.
MY WIFE JENNIFER AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE FOSTER PARENTS TO
FIVE CHILDREN FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS, AND I --
[APPLAUSE]
>> AND I APPLAUD THIS BODY FOR THE COURAGE IN TAKING ON SOME OF
THE COMPLEX ISSUES SURROUNDING THESE TOPICS.
THANK YOU, STATE SENATOR JOAN BALLWEG, STATE REPRESENTATIVE
PAT I SCHNEIDER AND THIS ENTIRE BODY FOR YOUR RECENT SUPPORT AND
PASSAGE OF SB520/AB557, WHICH PROVIDES CRUCIAL SUPPORT FOR
WISCONSIN'S KINSHIP CAREGIVERS. [APPLAUSE]
>> BECAUSE OF THIS LEGISLATION, CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO BE
PLACED MORE EASILY WITH THOSE WHO ALREADY KNOW AND LOVE THEM
AND WHO THEY KNOW AND LOVE IN RETURN AND THOSE CAREGIVERS WILL
RECEIVE NEEDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
[APPLAUSE] >> I KNOW MANY DIFFICULT ISSUES
REMAIN OUTSTANDING, BUT I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR WORK ON
THESE IMPORTANT TOPICS. AND LASTLY, I WANT TO REMIND YOU
OF THE ONGOING PROBLEM OF THE TRAFFICKING OF NATIVE WOMEN AND
GIRLS. IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS
THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN WISCONSIN, NATIVE WOMEN
AND GIRLS ARE BEING EXPLOITED, TRAFFICKED, AND SUBJECTED TO
VIOLENCE AT DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH RATES.
I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH KAUL, THE
MEMBERS -- [APPLAUSE]
THE MEMBERS OF THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TASK FORCE
ON MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND OUR STATE'S
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THESE GROUPS HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO ADDRESS
THIS ONGOING PROBLEM BUT THEY WILL NEED MORE HELP, SO I ASK
YOU TO WORK WITH THEM TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT
THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. AS I PONDERED THE IDEA OF GIVING
THIS STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS, I ASKED MYSELF HOW DO
YOU GIVE A STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS WHEN WE ARE ALL EACH OUR
OWN SOVEREIGN NATION. ALTHOUGH WE SHARE MANY
COMMONALITIES, WE ARE SO VERY DIFFERENT.
OWN GOVERNMENTS, OUR OWN WANTS AND NEEDS.
IN MANY WAYS, WE FIND COMMON GROUND AND CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR
A COMMON GOAL. IN OTHER INSTANCES, WE HAVE AN
INDIVIDUAL PURPOSE THAT IS ONLY RELEVANT TO OUR NATION.
AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOALS AND CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSE US TO BE
AT ODDS WITH ONE ANOTHER. YET, THROUGH OUR DIFFERENCES, WE
SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN OUR POW WOWS AND IN OUR TRADITIONS,
WHERE WE FEAST TOGETHER, WE BRING OUR DRUMS AND SING AND
DANCE TOGETHER. REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS.
I ASK THAT YOU DON'T FORGET TO FIND THE TIME TO SET ASIDE YOUR
DIFFERENCES AND TO NOT BE AFRAID TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND
TAKE PURPOSEFUL TIME TO FEAST TOGETHER, TO DANCE TOGETHER, AND
TO SING TOGETHER. MIGWETCH.
♪