Wisconsin's Tribal Nations State Their Priorities for 2025

Frederica Freyberg:
Back in Madison, tribal sovereignty, education, environmental threats and public health were just some of the issues in the 21st annual State of the Tribes Address at the state Capitol this week. It was an address representing Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized Native American tribes. “Here & Now” and ICT reporter Erica Ayisi was there.

Thomas Fowler:
(Speaking Ojibwe) Hello and welcome.

Erica Ayisi:
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Chairman Thomas Fowler addressed the full Legislature.

Thomas Fowler:
My grandparents, great grandparents and ancestors knew that a positive relationship between tribes and the state and federal governments could only strengthen our communities.

Erica Ayisi:
Fowler said the trust responsibilities to the tribes require the government to uphold its commitment to protect native land and native rights and asked for more support for the state’s two reservation-based colleges.

Thomas Fowler:
St. Croix is in an educational desert, and our kids won’t all find success moving so far from home, away from their support systems and culture.

Erica Ayisi:
Among other provisions affecting K-12 schools currently before the Legislature, Fowler urged passage of a bill permitting native students to wear traditional clothes during public school ceremonies.

Thomas Fowler:
We ask that this body supports legislation that serves our students like a AB98, SB85 so that school boards and charter schools don’t prohibit American Indian students from wearing traditional regalia at a graduation ceremony.

Erica Ayisi:
Apache Danforth, member of Oneida Nation, was in attendance. She also applauded the legislation, saying it’s time for Wisconsin to follow the lead of other states.

Apache Danforth:
You know, many are the first ones graduating from high school in their family, so wearing the traditional regalia really honors that tradition of accomplishment.

Erica Ayisi:
On the environment, Fowler called for a unified voice between the state and the tribes over the transport through their lands of oil and gas.

Thomas Fowler:
Tribes have never been silent on their concern of the environmental hazards that come with pipelines. Our lands and waterways are at risk, putting our food, water, medicine, cultural practices at risk too.

Erica Ayisi:
As Fowler spoke to environmental protection, including the need to address climate change, Jonas Hill, member of the Oneida Nation, called the message impactful.

Jonas Hill:
Climate change is real. We are seeing the effects. Maple season is in full effect right now and the sap is running slow duly because we haven’t — we haven’t had a real hard winter hit us for some time. The wildlife and trees all depend on the environment.

Erica Ayisi:
Fowler’s address touched on many difficult issues, including opioid addiction in Wisconsin’s native community and as one prescription called for the legalization of medical marijuana.

Thomas Fowler:
We need medical marijuana for chronic pain management, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress and addiction. Addiction has left no family untouched in Indian Country.

Erica Ayisi:
For her part, Danforth said such legislation should proceed with caution.

Apache Danforth:
I really encourage them to think about our kids when they’re — when they’re looking at legislation and legalizing cannabis in our state and how they’re protecting our children from abusing and using and having access to cannabis.

Erica Ayisi:
On a most essential issue of life and death among the tribal community, Fowler called missing and murdered indigenous women a public health crisis.

Thomas Fowler:
This is too common for our people, and it must stop.

Erica Ayisi:
Danielle Delong of Ho-Chunk Nation echoed the call and beseeches the state task force on the missing and murdered to focus its attention.

Danielle Delong:
There are so many disproportionate numbers to our missing and murdered indigenous relatives and that task force needs to be prioritized with funding.

Erica Ayisi:
Fowler’s address itself brought into sharp focus the concerns of life and land, health and the future for tribes across Wisconsin, reminding the audience that fully realizing tribal sovereignty and self-governance is possible by working with governments and administrations.

Thomas Fowler:
Tribal nations seek common sense policy reforms that strengthen our ability to govern and protect our own people and preserve our own cultures and control our own lands and resources within our own boundaries because tribes are not children of the government.

Erica Ayisi:
From Madison, I’m Erica Ayisi with “Here & Now” and ICT.