MADISON, Wis. — Members of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes gathered at the State Capitol alongside lawmakers Tuesday for the 21st annual State of the Tribes address.

This year, Chairman Thomas Fowler of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin delivered the yearly remarks that put the needs of tribal communities front and center. 

What You Need To Know

  • The 21st annual State of the Tribes address was given Tuesday at the State Capitol on behalf of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes

  • This year, St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Chairman Thomas Fowler delivered the speech

  • Fowler spoke about sovereignty and the need for more cultural curriculum in public schools

  • Later in the day, lawmakers in the Assembly debated three tribal-related bills

“Indian Country is overdue for an honest effort toward reconciliation,” Fowler told legislators in the Assembly Chambers.

He was candid about the kinds of conversations, or lack thereof, that happen in classrooms across the state.

“We fear returning to a public education environment without Native American history and teachings,” Fowler explained.

Fowler was also quick to admit tribes are simply asking for more.

“It truthfully has never been enough,” Fowler added. “Our neighbors do not know about the ceded territory, our treaty rights, our sovereignty.”

Later in the day, lawmakers in the Assembly had planned to vote on three tribal-related bills. Two were school-related, but neither dealt with lessons or teaching requirements.

The first would prohibit schools from stopping students from wearing traditional regalia at school events, including graduation ceremonies. A second proposal would ensure tribal affiliation and demographic data about those students is collected to help bolster cultural education, which is something some schools currently do voluntarily.

“I am grateful today that we are considering these bills, especially as we welcome our state’s tribes on this important day in the Assembly,” State Rep. Jeffrey Mursau, R-Crivitz, told reporters during a press conference held before the speech.

From the Assembly floor, Fowler went on to praise UW-Madison for offering free tuition to tribal members while also calling for other schools to follow in its footsteps.

“I recognize that not all the people in this room are responsible for those detrimental past policies, but each of us [has] an opportunity, and quite frankly an obligation, to ensure that history never repeats itself,” Fowler stated.