3/19/2025

MADISON - Members of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin legislature gathered at the State Capitol for the 21st State of the Tribes Address on Tuesday.  Similar to the governor’s State of the State Address, the State of the Tribes gives legislators and Wisconsinites a chance to hear the goals, successes and challenges Native Americans are facing in Wisconsin.  The speech comes as the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE is looking to end the leases for Bureaus of Indian Affairs across the country, including one in Ashland.  St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Chairman, Thomas Fowler, advocated for numerous state bills, including one to allow tribal regalia at graduation, and another to remove barriers for Native American language educators.  Fowler also took a moment to acknowledge the disproportionate impact the fentanyl crisis has on Native Americans.  American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of drug overdose deaths compared to any other race in America, according to the most recent data from the CDC.