PBS Wisconsin Public Affairs

>> 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.