TODAY. FIRST OF ALL, THE GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN.

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>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

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>> ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH KAUL.

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>> STATE TREASURER.

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>> STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, CAROLYN STANFORD-TAYLOR.

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>> CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.

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>> FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE, SHIRLEY ABRAHAMSON.

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>> JUSTICE ANN WALSH BRADLEY.

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>> JUSTICE ANNETTE ZIEGLER.

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>> JUSTICE REBECCA BRADLEY.

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>> JUSTICE DAN KELLY.

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>> I AM NOW PLEASED -- TAKE YOUR SEATS. I'M PLEASED TO INTRODUCE TEHASSI TASI HILL, CHAIRMAN OF THE NATION WHO WILL ADDRESS MEMBERS FROM THE CLERK'S PODIUM. PLEASE STEP FORWARD.

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>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND WALK WALK [YAWKO IS "GREAT BIG THANKS" IN ONEIDA] THANK YOU, SPEAKER VOS, FOR THAT INTRODUCTION.

SPEAKING IN ONEIDA LANGUAGE

TEHASSI TASI NIYUKYATS WAKESLEWAKE NIWAKITALOTA ONYOTE AKA NIWAKAHUNTSYOTA OKHALE TALUNKOWAN TWA NAKE. MY NAME IS TEHASSI TASI, I AM THE BEAR CLAN, AND MY NATION IS KNOWN AS THE PEOPLE OF STANDING STONE, AND I COME FROM A PLACE OF BOUNTIFUL DUCKS. YAWKO, TO SPEAKER VOS FOR HOSTING US TODAY AND ALSO GOVERNOR EVERS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES, MAJORITY LEADER STEINEKE, ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER HINTZ, SENATE PRESIDENT ROTH, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER FITZGERALD, SENATOR MINORITY LEADER SHILLING, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, HONORABLE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, ATTORNEY GENERAL KAUL, STATE TREASURER AND ALL THE CABINET SECRETARIES. YAWKO. YAWKO TO OUR VETERAN'S COLOR GUARD FOR RAISING OUR COLORS TODAY AND ALSO YAWKO TO OUR INTERTRIBAL COLUMN AS THE SINGERS FROM VARIOUS TRIBES WHO SANG IN OUR COLORS TODAY AND SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPECIAL LEADERS, WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU, KAYLEE SCHULYER AND CALEB AGUIRRE WHO SHARED OUR ONEIDA THANKSGIVING ADDRESS.

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>> ON BEHALF OF THE ONEIDA NATION AND GREAT LAKES INTERTRIBAL COUNCIL, I'M HULL BELLED AND HONORED TODAY TO REPRESENT WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL NATIONS IN DELIVERING THE 2019 STATE OF THE TRIBES ADDRESS. BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY FAMILY, THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE AND THE ONEIDA COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORTING ME IN REPRESENTING OUR NATION. YAWKO. NOW I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO INTRODUCE MY FELLOW TRIBAL LEADERS. WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND AS I SAY YOUR NAME AND REMAIN STANDING. PRESIDENT HOLSEY OF THE STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE COMMUNITY.

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CHAIRMAN WIGGINS, JUNIOR OF THE BAD RIVER LAKE SUPERIOR TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS.

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ON BEHALF OF CHAIRMAN SOX, TRIBAL SECRETARY, PERSHING FRECHETTE OF THE MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN.

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PRESIDENT CLEVELAND OF THE HO-CHUNK NATION.

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CHAIRMAN DANIELS OF THE FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY.

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ON BEHALF OF CHAIRMAN ACKLEY, CARMAN MCGESCHICK OF THE SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR OF THE LAC COURTE OREILLES BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF WISCONSIN. PRESIDENT WILDCAT OF THE LAC DU FLAMBEAU BAND OF MAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIANS.

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ON BEHALF OF CHAIRMAN TAYLOR, THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST, MICHAEL DECORAH OF THE ST. CROIX CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF WISCONSIN.

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AND LASTLY, CHAIRMAN PETERSON OF RED CLIFF BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIANS.

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PLEASE JOIN ME IN APPLAUDING OUR TRIBAL LEADERSHIP.

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WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE A LONG AND PROUD HISTORY OF WORKING HARD TO PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND PROTECT OUR RESOURCES, AND FOSTERING GOODWILL BY BUILDING APPLIANCES AND FRIENDSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER. YAWKO TO ALL THAT YOU DO FOR YOUR PEOPLE, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. JUST AS WE HAVE WORKED TO BUILD APPLIANCES AND FRIENDSHIPS AMONGST ONE ANOTHER, WE ALSO BUILT STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. OUR FLAGS DISPLAYED IN THE ROTUNDA SYMBOLIZES THE MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN THE STATE AND OUR TRIBAL NATIONS AND REMINDS US OF OUR COMMON GROUND AS CIVIL SERVANTS. LASTLY I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO OUR ELDERS AND ANCESTORS. YAWKO FOR PAVING THE PATH FOR US, YOUR SACRIFICE HAS AFFORDED US MANY OPPORTUNITIES. YOU SHOWED US WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO HAVE A STRONG FIRE. IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU WE STAND HERE TODAY, IN THE STATE CAPITOL, CELEBRATING OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND CULTURES.

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IT IS WITH THIS EYE ON THE PAST THAT I TURN TO MY FELLOW LEADERS WITH ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSEVERE WITH GOOD MINDS, A GOOD HEART AND A STRONG FIRE TO LIGHT THE PATH FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW US. I STAND -- I STARTED TODAY'S ADDRESS BY PROUDLY SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE IMPACTS OUR TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE ON WISCONSIN'S ECONOMY. LAST MAY, ONEIDA NATION PARTNERED WITH ST. NORBERT COLLEGE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS ANALYSIS TO QUANTIFY OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THE STUDY FOUND THAT ONEIDA NATION CONTRIBUTES 3/4 OF A BILLION DOLLARS AND PROVIDED 5,465 JOBS WITHIN BROWN AND OUTAGAMIE COUNTIES.

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THE NATION'S ECONOMIC IMPACT HAS INCREASED BY ROUGHLY $300 MILLION SINCE OUR LAST STUDY CONDUCTED IN 2006. FURTHER, ACCORDING TO THE GREATER GREEN BAY CHAMBER, ONEIDA NATION IS THE THIRD LARGEST EMPLOYER IN OUR AREA. WHILE NOT ALL WISCONSIN TRIBES HAVE PURSUED ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES, THE RESULTS OF ONEIDA'S STUDY ARE REPLICATED IN EACH TRIBAL COMMUNITY IN VARYING DEGREES. IT IS CLEAR THAT WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS STIMULATE THE ECONOMIES OF THEIR REGIONS THROUGH JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT. AT THE STATE LEVEL, WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS CONTRIBUTED OVER $53 MILLION TO THE STATE PURSUANT TO OUR GAMING COMPACTS. OFFERING SO MUCH MORE THAN GAMING, OUR TRIBAL NATIONS PARTNER WITH THE STATE TO PROMOTE TOURISM TO OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN THROUGH NATOW, THE NATIVE AMERICAN TOURISM OF WISCONSIN. NATOW PROMOTES TOURISM FEATURING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE. WISCONSIN IS A HUB FOR NATIVE TOURISM AS IT HAS THE LARGEST CONCENTRATIONS OF TRIBES EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. WALK -- YAWKO TO NATURE NATURE, THEIR EFFORTS STIMULATE LOT ECONOMIES AND HELP OUR NATIONS TELL THEIR OWN HISTORIES AND SHARE THE CULTURES. YAWKO TO THE STATE AND WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TOUR I MEAN. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE SUCCESS OF TRIBAL NATIONS TRANSLATES TO THE SUCCESS OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. OURSELF GOVERNANCE AND GOALS FOR SELF SUSTAINABILITY BOTH PRIDES FOR OUR NATION AND BENEFITS TO THE STATE. WHEN YOU'RE TRIBAL NATION FOCUSES ON EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE ALLEVIATE THE PRESSURE PLACED ON SIMILAR PROGRAMS BE OFFERED BY THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, ONEIDA NATION OPERATES A KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE SCHOOL SYSTEM. ONEIDA ECONOMIC STUDY SHOWS THAT WE RELIEVE EDUCATION COSTS. OVER THE YEARS, THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS HAS RESULTED IN POSITIVE CHANGES FOR OUR PEOPLE. WHEN COMPARING THE MOST RECENT U.S. CENSUS DATA TO THAT OF 1990, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS IN WISCONSIN DECREASED FROM 17.1% TO 9.9%. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM APPROXIMATELY $17,000 TO $39,000. THE FAMILY POVERTY RATE DECREASED FROM 32.5% TO 23.9%. I APPLAUD THE WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL NATIONS FOR THE STRIDES WE HAVE MADE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE IN SELF GOVERN ANSWER -- SELF-GOVERNANCE AND SELF-SUSTAINABILITY. WHILE THERE IS MUCH TO BE CELEBRATED, WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO. NATIVE AMERICANS IN WISCONSIN CONTINUE TO TRAIL BEHIND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN MANY CRITICAL AREAS. OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS DOUBLED WHEN COMPARED TO THE REST OF WISCONSIN RESIDENTS. OUR MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS 70% OF THE MEDIAN INCOME OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN THE STATE. OUR POVERTY RATE IS ALMOST THREE TIMES OF ALL WISCONSIN FAMILIES. WE ARE HERE TODAY IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE. OUR PRESENCE HERE REPRESENTS A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER AND TO WORK TOGETHER TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES. IN MY HOME WE LIVE BY THE SLOGAN, TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK. REGARDLESS IF YOU STAND HERE TODAY AS A MEMBER OF THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE OR AS A TRIBAL LEADER, WE ARE ALL HERE TO MAKE BETTER LIVES FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND BUILDING SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

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OUR DIVERSITY IS AN ASSET IN REACHING NEW SOLUTIONS, AND I AM PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS TEAM. A GOOD EXAMPLE OF OUR TEAM WORK IS A SPECIAL STUDY COMMITTEE ON STATE/TRIBAL RELATIONS. EACH BY BIENNIUM, THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE THROUGH THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, CONVENES A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS. I EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO THE WISCONSIN STATE LEGISLATURE FOR ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT APPROACH. I ALSO COMMEND THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATORS FOR THE SERVING IN THE 2018 STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE. REPRESENTATIVE JEFF MURSAU, CHAIRMAN.

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REPRESENTATIVE JAMES EDMING, REPRESENTATIVE DAVE CONSIDINE, FORMER STATE SENATOR AND VICE-CHAIR KATHLEEN VINEHOUT SENATOR JERRY PETROWSKI, SENATOR JANET BEWLEY, SENATOR TIM CARPENTER, AND SENATOR LENA TAYLOR. WALK YAWKO FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THIS COOPERATIVE EFFORT. IN MARCH THE STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED SIX PROPOSAL WHICH THE JOINT COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO INTRODUCE AS LEGISLATION. FIVE OF THE SIX PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY THE STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE ARE FOCUSED ON UPDATING INDIAN EDUCATION STATUTES. ONE PROPOSAL I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IS ACT 31. ACT 31 IS AN EXISTING LAW WHICH REQUIRES ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PRE-SERVICE EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION ON TRIBAL HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOVEREIGNTY. THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LEGISLATION REACHES OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM AND INTO WISCONSIN HOMES WHEN IT HAS THE POWER TO BREAK STEREOTYPES. WE CAN ONLY MOVE FORWARD WHEN WE HAVE AN ACCURATE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR PAST AND THE CONTINUED SURVIVAL OF OUR CULTURES TODAY. FOR TOO MANY GENERATIONS, CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS AS RELICS OF THE PAST, TO BE STUDIED IN MUSEUM EXHIBITS. OUR KIDS LEARN TOGETHER, THEY PLAY TOGETHER AND THEY GROW TOGETHER. OUR AMENDMENTS TO ACT 31 MUST TEACH THAT WE, AS NATIVE PEOPLE, ARE ALIVE, VIBRANT AND THRIVING. OUR CULTURES ARE ALIVE, VIBRANT AND THRIVING.

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ON BEHALF OF ALL TRIBES HERE TODAY, WE ASK THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO MOVE THIS NEWLY INTRODUCED BILL FORWARD. ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE FOCUS IMPORTANT TO WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL NATIONS IS ELIMINATING THE USE OF INDIAN MASCOTS, LOGOS AND NICKNAMES IN EDUCATION ALPHA SITS SUPPORTED BY THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

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AS OF LAST MONTH, THERE WERE STILL 31 WISCONSIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS USING INDIAN MASCOTS, LOGOS AND/OR NICKNAMES. THE USE OF INDIAN IMAGES, STEREOTYPES AND DEHUMANIZES OUR CULTURE AND NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR THE SAKE OF ENTERTAINMENT. FURTHERMORE, IT ENCOURAGES RACIST AND VULGAR BEHAVIOR IN THE NAME OF SCHOOL SPIRIT, WHICH IS BOTH SOCIALLY AND ACADEMICALLY DETRIMENTAL TO ALL CHILDREN. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK THE WISCONSIN INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND THE INDIAN MASCOT AND TASK FORCE FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER WORK ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. ON BEHALF OF NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, I ASK THAT THIS TEAM TO PRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION WHICH SHARE THE WISCONSIN INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MOTTO OF TEACH RESPECT, NOT RACISM. INDIANS ARE PEOPLE, NOT MASCOTS.

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AS RELATED TO TEACHING AND SHARING OUR CULTURE, I NOW SHARE WITH YOU OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MOTHER EARTH, AS WE HAVE HEARD EMPHASIZED IN TODAY'S THANKSGIVING ADDRESS. THE WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS WORK TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE WHAT THE CREATOR HAS PROVIDED AND ALWAYS CONSIDER HOW OUR ACTIONS IMPACT THE NEXT SEVEN GENERATIONS. WHEN FULFILLING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE LAND, TO THE PLANTS AND THE ANIMAL LIFE, WE MAKE OUR MOTHER EARTH HEALTHIER, GROWNER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL. I TURN MY DISCUSSION NOW TO TOPICS WHERE THE WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE CAN COLLABORATE CONCERNING OUR MOTHER EARTH. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FOOD SUSTAINABILITY AND CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE.

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AS A PEOPLE WE CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT MOTHER EARTH. FOR WITHOUT HER LANDS, THERE'S NO LIFE. NO HUMAN LIFE, NO PLANT LIFE, NO ANIMAL LIFE. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF NATIVE LIFE AND CULTURE. JUST LAST YEAR, SEVERAL NATIONS STOOD IN SOLIDARITY WITH MENOMINEE NATION IN THEIR LAWSUIT OPPOSING THE PROPOSED BACK FORTY MINE. IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT THE IMPACTS OF MINING ACTIVITIES ARE WIDESPREAD AND PERMANENT. THE PROPOSED MINE WOULD SIT A NEAR 150 FEET FROM THE BANKS OF THE MENOMINEE RIVER. THIS RIVER FORMS A BOUNDARY BETWEEN WISCONSIN AND THE UPPER MICHIGAN AND FLOWS INTO LAKE MICHIGAN. THE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS TO THE MENOMINEE RIVER, ADJACENT LANDS AND THE GREAT LAKES FROM THE INEVITABLE ACID MINE DRAINAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE MENOMINEE NATION HAS A SOVEREIGN RIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR SACRED PLACE OF ORIGIN AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREAT INNED BY THE BACK FORTY MINE, AS DO OTHER TRIBAL NATIONS IN THE OPPOSITION --

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AS DO OTHER TRIBAL NATIONS IN OPPOSITION OF METALLIC MINERAL MINING, SUCH AS LYNN MINE, WHICH THREATENS OUR TREATY RIGHTS. OUR TRIBAL COLLABORATION IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE COMMITMENT OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

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>> PROTECTING HIGH QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND REPAIRING DAMAGE IS NOT A POLITICAL POLICY, IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY. WE HAVE OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT THE PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES. WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES. WATER IS LIFE.

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>> AS YOU KNOW, THE UNITED STATES EPA HAS PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE CLEAN WATER ACT'S DEFINITION OF WATER WHICH, IF ADOPTED, WOULD NARROW THE WATERS THAT ARE FEDERALLY PROTECTED. WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN ENSURING THAT MORE, NOT LESS, OF OUR WATERS ARE PROTECTED UNDER THIS ACT. THE IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED NARROWING OF THE PROTECTION COULD BE DEVASTATING TO WISCONSIN WATERS AND TRIBAL WATER RIGHTS. WITH LESS FEDERAL PROTECTION OF WISCONSIN WATERS, THERE WILL BE LESS PERMITTING, MORE POLLUTION, AND A REDUCTION IN TRIBAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS. THIS IS THE TIME TO STRENGTHEN, NOT WEAKEN, OUR RESOLVE TO A CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

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>> FURTHERMORE, I CALL ON WISCONSIN TO STAND IN THE FOREFRONT OF CLIMATE CHANGE DISCUSSIONS. NATIVE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED WISCONSIN HOME FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. AS A RESULT OF GLOBAL WARMING AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, WE COULD LOSE ESSENTIAL HUNTING, FISHING AND GATHERING CULTURAL PRACTICES ALSO AFFECTING OUR TREATY RIGHTS. HEAVY RAIN STORMS ARE MORE PROTECT AND THEY INCREASE THE RISK OF FLOODING WHICH MEANS MORE POLLUTANTS RUNNING FROM THE LAND TO WATER. INCREASED POLLUTANT RUNOFF POTENTIALLY CAUSES DEVELOPMENT OF MORE ALGAL BLOOMS THAT ARE ALREADY MORE LIKELY DUE TO INCREASED WATER TEMPERATURES. ALGAL BLOOMS ARE UNSIGHTLY AND HARM FISH AND DEGRADE WATER QUALITY BY CREATING DEAD ZONES IN OUR LIFE SUSTAINING WATERS. WE ARE EXPERIENCING MORE EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND HOTTER DAYS THAN EVER BEFORE. THE ICE COVER ON THE GREAT LAKES IS FORMING LATER AND MELTING SOONER. THE SHORTER AND WARMER WINTERS THREATEN WISCONSIN TOURISM FOR WINTER RECREATION LIKE ICE FISHING, SNOWMOBILING, SKIING AND SNOW BOARDING, WHICH MANY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO THE NORTH RELY UPON TO SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE HOTTER DAYS RISK PUBLIC HEALTH, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS, AND WREAK HAVOC ON THE CORN HARVESTS OUR NATIONS RELY UPON IN WORKING TO BECOME FOOD SOVEREIGNS. ALSO THE CHANGING CLIMATE INETABLY SHIFTS OUR ECO SYSTEMS. IT AFFECTS THE RANGE OF PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE WHICH AFFECTS THE COMPOSITION OF OUR NORTH WOODS, OUR FISH, OUR BIRD POPULATIONS, WHEN FLOWERS BLOOM AND WHEN ANIMALS REPRODUCE. IN 2007 WISCONSIN CREATED A GLOBAL WARMING TASK FORCE WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING WISCONSIN A LEADER TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. THIS IS A REAL NATIONAL EMERGENCY.

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NOW IS THE TIME FOR WISCONSIN TO CONFRONT THE THREAT AS A NATIONAL LEADER. I CALL ON WISCONSIN TO WORK WITH OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE GLOBAL WARMING TASK FORCE, OUR EXISTENCE AS WE KNOW IT, RELIES UPON OUR ACTION. IT IS ONLY WHEN WE HAVE HEALTHY LANDS AND WATERS THAT WE MAY GROW HEALTHY LIFE UPON THEM. AS NATIVE NATIONS, WE HAVE DEDICATED -- WE ARE DEDICATED TO FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND RESTORING THE ABUNDANCE OF OUR TRADITIONAL FOODS. ONE EXAMPLE OF FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IS FARM TO TABLE INITIATIVES. THESE INITIATIVES FOCUS ON BUILDING FOOD ECONOMY THAT PROMOTES A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY STEMS FROM THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF GROWING AND SUSTAINING OUR NATURAL FOODS. WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE PRESERVED HEIRLOOM SEEDS, WILD RICE BEDS, FISH, FOWL AND GAME. WE HAVE ORCHARDS, GARDENS AND FISH HATCHERIES AND HAVE EXPLORED AQUAPONICS AS A WAY TO SUSTAIN OUR FOOD CHAIN. RECENTLY WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE STATE OF WISCONSIN TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARD FOOD SOVEREIGNTY. WE NOW GROW FOODS WHICH ARE TRADITIONAL TO OUR CULTURE AND HELP US FEED OUR TRIBAL MEMBERS THROUGH CONGREGATE MEAL SITES AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS MEALS ON WHEELS. WHILE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IS THE TARGET FOR OUR NATIONS, WE WANT EVEN MORE. WE WANT OUR ORCHARDS, GARDENS AND HATCHERIES TO BE THE LOCAL CHOICE. I PROPOSE DEVELOPING A JOINT AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INITIATIVE BETWEEN THE STATE AND WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS. WISCONSIN WOULD LEFT FROM A STATE-TRIBAL SUB COMMITTEE WHICH PROMOTES TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AS FOOD HUBS FOR PEOPLE TO BUY LOCAL. THE IROQUOIS HAVE A STORY OF THREE SISTERS, CORN, BEANS AND SQUASH WHO ONLY GROW AND THRIVE WHEN TOGETHER. SIMILAR TO THE CONNECTIVITY OF THE THREE SISTERS, ANY APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY WOULD BE LACKING IF WE DID NOT ALSO RECOGNIZE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE ANIMAL LIFE. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS CWD, IS AN UNPRECEDENTED THREAT TO WISCONSIN'S DEER POPULATION. NATIVE COMMUNITIES RELY ON DEER AS A CULTURAL FOOD SOURCE, AND MANY -- BUT THE DEER POPULATION IS IMPORTANT AS SUSTENANCE BOTH NUTRITIONALLY AND ECONOMICALLY FOR ALL OF WISCONSIN. FURTHER, TOURISM OFFICIALS INDICATE HUNTING IS A $1 BILLION INDUSTRY IN WISCONSIN. AS CWD CONTINUES TO SPREAD ON DEER FARMS AND HUNTING RANCHES IN WES WE, THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY MUST BE IMMEDIATE OR WE WILL RISK LOSE ARE OUR DEER CULTURE AND ECONOMY. JUST AS WE LEVERAGE SCIENCE FOR SOLUTIONS TO OTHER ISSUES, WE NEED TO SUPPORT RESEARCH TO FURTHER ANSWER VITAL QUESTIONS ABOUT CBD. MORE STUDIES ARE NEEDED TO FULL UNDERSTAND THE SPREZ OF CBD, THE BEST WAYS TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD, AND THE RISKS OF CONSUMING INFECTED MEAT. TO PROTECT ALL OF OUR FAEPS, WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL NATIONS URGE THE STATE TO ACT SWIFTLY TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF CWD THROUGH FOUR FRONTS. ONE, REQUIRE MORE RESPONSIBLE DEER FARMING PRACTICES, TWO, REQUIRE PROPER DISPOSAL AND TREATMENT OF INFECTED DEER AND CARCASSES. THREE, PROVIDE FAST AND FREE TESTING OF ALL HARVESTED ANIMALS AND FOUR, PROVIDE A GREATER INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH RELATED TO CBD. IT IS THROUGH THIS CALL TO SCIENCE THAT I ASK WISCONSIN TO MAINTAIN ITS PROGRESSIVE APPROACH UNDER THE STATE MOTTO TO CONTINUE FORWARD TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR LAND, PLANT LIFE AND ANIMAL LIFE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL HUMAN LIFE.

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>> WE WORK TO BUILD A HEALTHY AND STRONG ENVIRONMENT, KNOWING IT WILL ENABLE US TO HAVE HEALTHY AND STRONG MINDS AND BODIES. HAVING ADDRESSED SOME OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, I WANT TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH DISPARITIES OF OUR PEOPLE THROUGH DISCUSSION ON HEALTH CARE, SUBSTANCE ABUSED AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. DATA COLLECTED BY THE NATIONAL HEALTH BOARD DEMONSTRATIONS THAT INDIANS IN WISCONSIN HAVE NEARLY TWICE THE RATE OF HEALTH DISPARITIES THAN OTHER RACES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE DIABETES RATE IS TWO, SOMETIMES THREE TIMES HIGHER IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE RATE IS SIX TO EIGHT TIMES HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION. JUST LIKE WISCONSIN, OUR TRIBAL LEADERSHIP WANTS TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE. HOWEVER --

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>> HOWEVER, WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS CONTINUE TO FACE CHALLENGES WITH THE STATE IN ENSURING -- HOWEVER, WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS CONTINUE TO FACE CHALLENGES WITH THE STATE IN EFFORTS SURROUNDING MEDICAID, MEDICAID WAIVERS AND THE GENERAL APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE OVERALL.

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>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS UNDERSTANDING THE BASIS OF A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND HOW OUR TRIBAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS ARE DIFFERENT. THE UNITED STATES HAS A LONG STANDING LEGAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE HEALTH CARE OF OUR AMERICAN INDIANS THAT DATES BACK TO THE FOUNDING OF THE REPUBLIC. IN EXCHANGE FOR THE VAST TRACTS OF LAND AND RESOURCES BY TRIBAL NATIONS, THE UNITED STATES ENTERED INTO TREATIES THAT REQUIRED THE UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF NATIVE PEOPLE. THOSE OBLIGATIONS STILL EXIST TODAY.

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>> THE INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT, CONGRESS DECLARED IT IS THE POLICY OF THIS NATION, TO FULFILL THE SPECIAL TRUST RESPONSIBILITIES AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO INDIANS, TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE HEALTH STATUS FOR INDIANS AND URBAN INDIANS TO PROVIDE ALL RESOURCES NECESSARY TO AFFECT THAT POLICY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT YET REACHED THIS GOAL AS SEVERAL FEDERAL REPORTS CONCLUDE THAT THE INDIAN HEALTH SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE DRAMATICALLY UNDERFUNDED AND NATIVE AMERICANS CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME OF THE LOWEST HEALTH STATUS INDICATORS IN THE UNITED STATES. TO DEMONSTRATION THIS UNDERFUNDING, A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE SHOWED TOTAL ANNUAL SPENDING FOR NATIVES USING THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES IS ONLY $3688 PER YEAR, AS COMPARED TO FEDERAL PRISONERS WHO RECEIVE $5500 PER YEAR AND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS OF $9,523 PER YEAR. WITH THE $6,000 GAP IN SPENDING BETWEEN NATIVE AMERICANS AND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, IT IS OBVIOUS THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO FALL SHORT IN ITS OBLIGATIONS TO NATIVE PEOPLE. BECAUSE OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE FUNDING SHORTFALLS, THE INDIAN HEALTH SYSTEM HAS TO RELY ON OUR FUNDING SOURCES TO KEEP OUR CLIN I BES OPEN. BY FAR, OUR MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF THIRD PARTY REVENUE IS MEDICAID. WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS CONTINUE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION IN THE STATE.

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MOVING TO FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR AN ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL 5700 TRIBAL CITIZENS IN THE STATE. THIS WOULD RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL $38 MILLION IN FEDERAL HEALTH CARE RESOURCES COMING INTO THE INDIAN HEALTH SYSTEM, ALL OF THAT AT MINIMAL TO NO COST TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

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>> UNDER FEDERAL LAW, THE UNITED STATES PAYS 100% OF THE COST OF MEDICAID SERVICES RECEIVED THROUGH INDIAN HEALTH SYSTEM. THIS IS KNOWN AS THE FEDERAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE EX PENDZ TOURS OR FMAP. WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE STATE TO INCREASE HEALTH COVERAGE AND LOWER COSTS THROUGH THE MEDICAID PROGRAM. WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT. CMS RECENTLY CHANGED POLICY TO ALLOW STATES TO RECEIVE 100% FUNDING NOT JUST FOR SERVICES RECEIVED BUT ALSO SERVICES TO INDIANS PROVIDED BY OUTSIDE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. IF TRUBAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS IMPLEMENT THE CHANGE, THE STATE OF WISCONSIN COULD RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN FEDERAL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT. IF DONE CORRECTLY, THE CHANGE IN POLICY COULD RESULT IN A WIN-WIN FOR WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

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>> ANOTHER CHALLENGE WE FACE AND STRONGLY OPPOSE ARE THE WORK REQUIREMENTS IN MEDICAID AS A CONDITION OF ELIGIBILITY. WHILE TRIBES SUPPORT FULL EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL OUR MEMBERS, MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS CREATE DISINCENTIVES FOR RECIPIENTS WITHIN THE TRIBAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. INSTEAD, WORK REQUIREMENTS WILL CAUSE MANY, M NOT ALL OF OUR MEMBERS, TO DROP OUT OF MEDICAID. THIS WILL MEAN LESS FEDERAL MONEY AVAILABLE FOR US TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR OUR PEOPLE. WE ARE ALREADY UNDERFUNDED AND CANNOT ACCEPT ANY MORE CUTS. WORK REQUIREMENTS ALSO ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE UNITED STATES' TRUST AND TREATY OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR OUR PEOPLE, AND INCONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS OF MEDICAID STATUTE. THE MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS ARE ALSO A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW THE STATE'S HEALTH CARE POLICIES ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTING TRIBAL HEALTH SYSTEMS AND THE ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WITH THAT, THE WISCONSIN TRIBAL NATIONS ASK THE STATE TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT MEDICAID EXPANSION AND WE ASK FOR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH TRIBES TO INCREASE CARE WHILE REDUCING COSTS IN OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LEADERSHIP IN LEARNING ABOUT OUR TRIBAL HEALTH SYSTEMS AND WORKING WITH US TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO THESE ISSUES.

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>> THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC REPRESENTS ONE OF THE GREATEST PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS IN THE MODERN ERA, HAVING DEVASTATING IMPACTS ON ALL OF OUR XHUNS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. NATIONALLY, THE DRUG OVERDOSE DEATH RATE OF AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES HAS EXCEEDED THE GENERAL POPULATION EVERY YEAR SINCE 2001. IN 2017, AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES HAD THE HIGHEST OVERDOSE DEATHS OF ANY RACE. SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS OFTEN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID PAINFUL FEELINGS THROUGH SELF-MEDICATION SO IT SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE THAT THE OPIOID CRISIS HAS ROOTS IN HISTORICAL AND INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

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>> TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND MANY OTHER PROFESSIONALS RECOGNIZE HOW HISTORICAL TRAUMA HAS FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ACROSS GENERATIONS AS IT CAN NEGATIVELY IMPACT EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING. OUR LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CONTINUES TO BE PASSED DOWN GENERATION TO GENERATION SO, SO HAVE THE LONG-LASTING CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ANCESTORS ENDURING A SUCCESSION OF TRA TRAUMATIC EVENTS, FORCED RELOCATION, ATTEMPTED GENOCIDE, AND CHILDREN FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM HOMES AND PLACED IN BOARDING SCHOOLS ARE EXAMPLES. WE KNOW OUR PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT. WE WILL FIGHT EVERY DAY TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT THIS EPIDEMIC FROM MOVING TO OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IS A NATIONAL CRISIS AND OUR TRIBAL NATIONS CANNOT COMBAT THIS ALONE. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO WISCONSIN ALONG WITH OUR FEDERAL AND LOCAL PARTNERS ASSISTING IN CURRENT EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS. ONE CRUCIAL COMPONENT AND THE NATIVE AMERICAN DRUG AND GANG INCENTIVE, ALSO KNOWN AS NADGI. NADGI FOCUSES ON NAIN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND THE SPECIFIC THREAT TO RESPOND TO ILLEGAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION, CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITIES AND ALL ASSOCIATED CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION. TRIBAL COMMUNITIES FACE AN ALARMING INCREASE OF DIVERTED NARCOTIC MEDICATIONS, HEROIN, FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE. THE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS HAS A DIRECT CORRELATION TO AN INCREASE IN CRIME SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, BURGLARY, THEFT AND OTHER VIOLENT CRIMES. EFFECTS AREN'T JUST CRIMINAL. THEY ALSO TU INTO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND THE EROSION OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES. IN THE FACE OF THESE THREATS, TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND NADGI ARE COLLECTIVELY WORKING ON MULTIPLE APPROACHES TO EACH SPECIFIC THREAT. THE NADGI MISSION OF DETERRENCE, REASSURANCE AND ATTRITION LOOKS TO DRUPT AND DISMANTLE DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS WHILE ADDRESSING THOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED AND THOSE AFFECTED. THROUGH COMMUNITY TRAINING SESSIONS AND COORDINATION WITH TRIBAL RESOURCES, THE DETER ENS AND REASSURANCE PORTIONS OF THE MISSION FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. MANY OF OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES HAVE CREATED TRIBAL ACTION PLANS TO WORK TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER SUBSTANCE ABUSE. WE FACE MANY OF THE SAME OBSTACLES AS COMMUNITIES ACROSS COUNTRY, A SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES AND INPATIENT TREATMENT CENTERS. THERE ARE LIKELY -- THERE ARE KEY PROFESSIONS OR CALLINGS WITHIN EVERY CULTURE WHERE THE ROLE IS TO SERVE, TO HEAL AND BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER. WHETHER IT BE TEACHERS, DOCTORS, NURSES, SOCIAL WORKERS, POLICE OFFICERS OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS, COMMUNITIES STRUGGLE TO FILL THESE ROLES AND THE DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES NEVER SEEMS TO LESSEN. AS STATED, THE ENTIRE COUNTRY FACES SHORTAGE IN CRITICAL HELPING PROFESSIONS AND NATIVE COMMUNITIES ARE NO DIFFERENT. THE EFFECTS ARE ONLY EXACERBATED BECAUSE OF MANY INEQUITIES AND UNIQUE CHALLENGES NATIVE COMMUNITIES ALREADY FACE. IT IS NO DOUBT A DIFFICULT ROAD TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AND TO HEAL OTHERS ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALING WITH THE DEVASTATION ADDICTION BRINGS. AS ENTIRE COMMUNITIES, WE NEED TO STEP UP AND WORK TOGETHER TO SERVE, TO HEAL AND TO CONNECT ALL OF US. WE ALSO NEED TO BE SURE TO APPRECIATE THOSE WHO PUT IN THE WORK EVERY DAY. IN ADDITION TO THE SHORTFALL OF HUMAN RESOURCES, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING STRUCTURAL RESOURCES FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT. FOR INFASHT TREATMENT THAT DOES EXIST, MANY FAIL TO INCORPORATE OUR NATIVE CULTURES INTO THE HEALING PROCESS. WE LEARNED IN ANALYZING OUR AODA TREATMENT DATA THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN TREATMENT WHEN CULTURAL HEALING IS INCORPORATED AND WE MUST TRANSLATE WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED TO THIS EPIDEMIC. TO TREAT THE PERSON WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING TRAUMA, MENTAL HEALTH AND TRIGGER ISSUES LEADING TO ADDICTION IS AN INVESTMENT IN FAILURE. I AM PLEASED TO STAY, WISCONSIN'S TRIBAL NATIONS, THROUGH THE GREAT LAKES INTERTRIBAL COUNCIL, ARE PURSUING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INPATIENT ADOLESCENT TREATMENT FACILITY. WE THANK THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR ITS SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTION TO THIS ENDEAVOR IN THE LAST BIENNIUM BUDGET.

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>> A FEASIBILITY STUDY WAS COMPLETED WHICH GETS US ONE STEP TOWARD OUR GOAL TO OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION. IN OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND THROUGHOUT COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR BATTLE WITH ADDICTION WHILE WE STRUGGLE TO FIND THE RESOURCES TO HELP THEM. I CALL ON THIS TEAM OF TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT AGAINST ADDICTION TOGETHER BY ASSESSING OUR SHARED DATA AND AGGRESSIVELY PROCURING FEDERAL DOLLARS AND ALLOCATING THEM WISELY. I EXTEND PRAYERS OF STRENGTH, LOVE AND COMPASSION TO EVERY HOME THAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TOUCHES. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, ACCESS TO SAFE, ADEQUATE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE CRITICAL COMPONENTS TO A COMPREHENSIVE DRUG TREATMENT APPROACH.

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>> HOUSING IS A CONSTANT ISSUE IN OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. OUR TRIBAL CITIZENS HAVE LOWER HOUSEHOLD INCOMES AND HIGHER POVERTY RATES THAN OTHER WISCONSIN RESIDENTS. AS SUCH, OUR COMMUNITIES STRUGGLE WITH INCREASED INCIDENCES OF HOMELESSNESS, UNDERHOUSING AND SUB PAR HOUSING. HOUSING ISSUES DO NOT LOOK THE SAME IN ALL COMMUNITIES. IN MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, IT DOESN'T MEAN SLEEPING IN THE STREETS BUT MEANS DRIFTING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE OR OVERCROWDING A FAMILIAL HOME. OUR COMMUNITIES NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HOMELESSNESS AND UNDERHOUSED INDIVIDUALS. OUR COMMUNITIES ALSO NEED INTERT ACCESS TO ADEQUATE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. HAVING A SENSE OF STABILITY IN THE HOME IS IMPORTANT FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS IN DECEMBER OF 2016 FOUND HOME OWNERSHIP RESULTED IN INCREASED HOUSING STABILITY. THE STUDY FOUND THAT HOME OWNERSHIP UNIQUELY INVESTS A HOMEOWNER IN A SET LOCATION AND THEREFORE, POSITIVELY IMPACTS A MULTITUDE OF SOCIAL FACTORS. CHILDREN OF HOMEOWNERS HAVE HIGHER EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT, LOWER DROPOUT RATES AND AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD THEIR PARENTS WILL TEACH THEM FINANCIAL RESPOND THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE. INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM HOME OWNERSHIP AS A RESULT -- IT RESULTS IN BETTER MAINTAINED PROPERTIES, WHICH IN TURN LEADS TO BETTER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH INCLUDING HIGHER REPORTS OF SELF CONFIDENCE AND SATISFACTION. THE NEED FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS REDUCED AS HOMEOWNERS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF USING THE HOME EQUITY LINES TO HELP PAY OTHER DEBTS. FINALLY, THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM MORE HOME OWNERSHIP AS IT FOSTERS MORE CONNECTIVITY AND INCREASES INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL POLITICS AND VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS. BOTH PROPERTY AND VIOLENT CRIME RATES ARE REDUCED BASED ON STRONGER COMMUNITY INVESTMENT. WHILE I ACKNOWLEDGE THE MAJORITY OF TRIBAL HOUSING RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE IN WISCONSIN THROUGH GRANT OFFERINGS AND OTHER INCENTIVES TO MAKE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT MORE AFFORDABLE. SPECIFICALLY, WE NEED INCREASED RESOURCES FOR HOMELESSNESS, HOME OWNERSHIP INITIATIVES AND GREEN BUILDING, WHICH RIGHT NOW IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE. I'M ASKING THE STATE TO HELP US PROVIDE HOMES FOR OUR FAMILIES WHICH LEADS TO MY TWO FINAL TOPICS, OUR WOMEN AND OUR CHILDREN, THE HEART OF THE HOME AND OUR FUTURE LEGACY. MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND THE THREAT TO INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE FIFTH CIRCUIT FEDERAL COURT ARE TWO ISSUES SPECIFIC TO NATIVE COMMUNITIESES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN IS DEVASTATING NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ACROSS ALL OF AMERICA. ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH FUNDED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, NATIVE WOMEN LIVING ON TRIBAL LANDS ARE MURDERED AT EXTREMELY HIGH RATE. IN MANY COMMUNITIES, JURISDICTIONAL AND ENFORCEMENT GAPS PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN ALLOWING THE VIOLENT CRIMES TO GO UNPUNISHED. IN BUSINESS BUSINESS, AS A PUBLIC LAW 280 STATES, STATE CRIMINAL LAW APPLIES TO OUR RESERVATIONS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MENOMINEE NATION. THEREFORE, WE DO NOT SHARE MANY OF THE SAME JURISDICTIONAL CHALLENGES. HOWEVER, WE STILL SEE HIGHER INCIDENCES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. WE MUST DO BETTER.

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WE MUST TAKE CARE OF OUR LIFE GIVERS. JUST AS MOTHER EARTH PROVIDES EVERYTHING WE NEED TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE, OUR MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, AUNTS, SISTERS AND DAUGHTERS PROVIDE THE LOVE, NOURISHMENT AND PROTECTION OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES NEED TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE. THAT MANY SAID, LIFE GIVEN OR MOTHER IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY CRITICAL ROLES WOMEN HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. BEYOND FAMILIES, WOMEN ARE CRITICAL TO OUR ECONOMY AND WORK FORCE. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NOT ONLY DESTROYS FAMILIES, IT MEANS TIME AWAY FROM WORK AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATED HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE. FURTHER, A THREAT AGAINST OUR WOMEN IS A THREAT OUR CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND, CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FAMILY VIOLENCE SUFFER SYMPTOMS OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, SUCH AS BED WETTING OR NIGHTMARES AND ARE AT A GREATER RISK THAN THEIR PEERS OF HAVING ALLERGIES, ASTHMA, GASTRO INTESTINAL PROBLEMS, HEADACHES AND FLU. WOMEN OPPOSED TO PHYSICAL ABUSE AS A CHILD ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE AS ADULTS. WHILE MEN WHO ARE EXPOSED TO PHYSICAL ABUSE AS A CHILD ARE MORE LIKELY TO PERPETRATE PHYSICAL ABUSE AS ADULTS. THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN U.S.A. GROUP IS WORKING TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN BY EDUCATING WOMEN OF THE THREATS THEY FACE AND TEACHING THEMSELF DEFENSE. I CALL ON THE STATE OF WISCONSIN TO WORK WITH OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES TO DO BETTER FOR OUR LIFE GIVERS THROUGH INCREASED FUNDING FOR WOMEN'S PROGRAMS, INCLUDED, NOT LIMITED TO PROGRAMMING FOR IDENTIFYING SEX TRAFFICKING, TEACHING DEFENSE, PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, AND HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS. THIS DISCUSSION OF WORKING TO PROTECT OUR NATIVE WOMEN NATURALLY TRANSITIONS TO MY LAST COP I CAN, THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR NATIVE NATIONS AND OUR TRADITIONAL CULTURES. THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT, COMMONLY KNOWN AS ICWA IS CURRENTLY UNDER ATTACK IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS WHERE IT IS ALLEGED TO BE UNSTRUL. THE LAW WAS PASSED IN 1978 AND AIMED AT COUNTERACTING GENERATIONS OF POLICIES THAT SEPARATED NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN FROM THEIR COMMUNITY. A FINDING THAT ICWA IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL WOULD HAVE FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS ON NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. AN CONSTITUTIONAL DECISION COULD ALSO HAVE SWEEPING CONSEQUENCES OVER ALL INDIAN LAW THAT GOVERNS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. TODAY I THANK THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FOR STANDING WITH NATIVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. IN 2009, THE STATE ADOPTED THE WISCONSIN INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT. TO CLARIFY, THE FEDERAL LAW AND IMPROVE COMPLIANCE IN WISCONSIN. IN ADDITION, WISCONSIN HAS STOOD WITH INDIAN COUNTRY IN SUPPORT OF ICWA. AGAIN, YAWKO AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO STAND WITH US IN DEFENDING INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT.

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IN CLOSING, MR. SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY. TO MY FELLOW TRIBAL LEADERS OF THEIR TRIBAL NATIONS, YAWKO FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON OUR BEHALF. TODAY I HAVE DISCUSSED AREAS WHERE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE STATE AND OUR TRIBAL NATIONS CAN AND WILL MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES. I HAVE CALLED ON THIS TEAM TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT IT DOES BEST, BUILDING BRIDGES THAT BRING US TOGETHER TO MAKE LIFE IN WISCONSIN AND WITHIN OUR TRIBAL NATIONS BETTER. SOME SAY THAT OLD WAYS DON'T OPEN NEW DOORS. YET, OUR OLD WAYS HAVE TAUGHT US WHO WE ARE, ALL OF US. WE ALL HAVE A RICH TRADITION AND HERITAGE AND OUR ANCESTORS STAND BEHIND US. AS NATIVE PEOPLE, IT IS BECAUSE OF OUR TRADITIONAL WAYS THAT PERSEVERANCE IS INGRAINED IN OUR SOULS AND SURVIVAL FLOWS THROUGH OUR BLOOD.

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WE MUST ALL WORK TO EMBRACE OUR WAYS, OLD AND NEW, BEING MINDFUL OF THE PAST AND HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE. IT IS ONLY THEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO FOSTER BETTER COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING ACROSS THE AISLE, ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES. I HAVE LIVE -- WE HAVE LIVED AMONGST EACH OTHER FOR GENERATIONS AND WE STILL WORK TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER. THROUGH CONTINUED COLLABORATION AND TRUST BUILDING, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS WON'T BE PLAGUED BY THE SAME PROBLEMS WE FACE TODAY. OUR GOVERNMENTS ARE MORE SIMILAR THAN WE THINK. WE EACH WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR PEOPLE. BETTER SCHOOLS, BETTER HOMES, BETTER HEALTH CARE, BETTER ECONOMIES, BETTER FUTURE. WE ARE BETTER WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER. I HAVE A FINAL CALL TO THIS TEAM. MAY WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARD A SHARED VISION AND GOALS. MAY WE CONTINUE TO MOVE THE STATE OF WISCONSIN FORWARD, TOGETHER. MAY WE KEEP A GOOD MIND, A GOOD HEART AND A STRONG FIRE WHEN FACED WITH CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY. NURTURE THE FIRE WITHIN YOURSELVES. ENCOURAGE THE FIRE WITHIN ALL OTHERS.

SPEAKING IN ONEIDA LANGUAGE

YAWKO OKHALE SWANESLIYOHAK.

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