Nicole Boyd:
It is my privilege to acknowledge Wisconsin's current governor: Tony Evers. I am further honored to be providing the final State of the Tribes Address under your leadership. Gov. Evers and I go back a few years before his governorship and my chairpersonship, while he served as the state superintendent and I as a school board member for our local school district. I heard him speak at the Wisconsin Indian Education Association Conference, and I knew then without unwavering doubt that he was one of the kindest, passionate and smartest people I'd ever get the chance to know and work with. In fact, he may have even been an inspiration for me to run. Gov. Evers, your legacy of public education support will never be forgotten. Tribal nations will talk about your collaboration and advocacy for many generations, and you should be extremely proud to have built lifelong relationships with so many. Our lives are sincerely touched because we know you. On behalf of the Wisconsin tribal nations — our members past, present, and future — we thank you for your work, your commitment, and just being the jazzy, chill, intelligent guy that you are.