The state released Wednesday the date for the 12th annual State of the Tribes address to take place this month, amid increased activism by native groups.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, reiterated the importance of finding common interests between state government and tribal leaders.
“I’m pleased that we can continue this Assembly tradition. It’s important to find areas of mutual interest between our governments and work together to address shared concerns,” Vos said in a press release.
Collin Price, spokesperson for the Ho-Chunk Nation, emphasized some of the biggest issues for tribal communities.
One major point of concern, Price said, is the preservation of land and the environment. A bill introduced in the state Legislature in December that sparked intense debate would have allowed excavation of Native American burial mounds in the town of Blooming Grove.
These sites are known as effigy mounds, found in Wisconsin and among the only earthen forms constructed by American Indians. The Ho-Chunk Nation, among other native groups, are adamant to not only preserve such sites, but maintain them with respect and dignity.
The proposed legislation sparked hundreds of protesters to rally against the measure at the state Capitol last month. Hundreds of people gathered on the square that day, representing 11 of Wisconsin’s Indian nations. Vos remarked after the protests the bill likely won’t be put up for a vote this spring.
“There is no death to any piece of legislation, we’re not letting that one go. We thought it was a great effort. We’ve had support from all the state tribes and tribes throughout the country,” he said.
There are often clashing views between state-elected officials and tribal communities. According to Price, part of the challenge, is to keep a voice in the discussion for the efforts promoted by Native American groups.
“We’ve been letting them know the significance mounds have for native people and non-native people alike,” Price said. “These bills affect Indian country and very few times are we included in that discussion and we’re now in that discussion. We’ve been out in front on these issues.”
The address will be given by Mic Isham, chairman of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of the Chippewa Indians, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. in the Wisconsin state Assembly.
