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Sokaogon chair: changes to mascot law ‘a mockery of indigenous people’

March 5, 2015 By Bob Hague

Mole Lake Sokaogon Chairman Chris McGeshik

The state of Wisconsin’s tribes received some attention at the Capitol on Thursday, where lawmakers took a break from heated debate over right-to-work legislation to hear the annual State of the Tribes address, delivered by Mole Lake Sokaogon Chairman Chris McGeshik.

McGeshik drew applause early in remarks, when he referenced the end of a controversial mining project which was widely opposed by the state’s tribes. “When it comes to the Penokee Hills mine, we are not going to see that mine happen while I am here,” McGeshik said. Bad River Tribal Chair Mike Wiggins, Jr. had spearheaded tribal opposition to the Gogebic Taconite mine in Iron and Ashland Counties, and then-Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Chair Gordon Thayer heavily criticized Republican lawmakers who wrote a new mining law, in his 2013 address. Gogebic Taconite said last Friday that it would pull out due to larger than expected wetlands on its proposed mining site near Lake Superior.

While McGeshik’s remarks had little of the sort of pointed criticism given by some tribal leaders in past addresses, he did ask for respect for tribal sovereignty. “Tribal sovereignty means a strong Wisconsin at the end of the day. The state of Wisconsin must believe that it is only as strong as the weakest tribal community,” he said. “The state weakens itself by opposing tribal ideas.”

McGeshik reserved his sharpest criticism for the subject of offensive mascots still being used in some Wisconsin public school districts. “We believe the recent decision to override the progress made with the state in regard to the school mascots to be a mockery of the indigenous people in the state and around America,” he said. “This contempt towards native people should be corrected by this legislature.” Republican lawmakers pushed through a law in 2013 that makes it much harder for tribes to challenge the use of race-based mascots, logos, and nicknames at public schools.

McGeskil concluded his remarks by explaining what the state of Wisconsin’s 11 tribes is not. “We aren’t destitute, and we aren’t distressed. We are not defeated. We will be strong, and together we will move forward. Miigwitch, and thank you for listening.”

New Menominee chair will deliver State of the Tribes address

February 13, 2014 By Bob Hague

The new Menominee Tribal Chair will deliver today’s State of the Tribes address. The tribe announced earlier this week that Laurie Boivin was elected to succeed Craig Corn as chair, and it’s been confirmed that she’ll deliver the annual address before a joint session of the legislature. Corn served as chairman for the past two years and had a high public profile as the tribe negotiated on a proposed $800 million casino to be located in Kenosha. No final decision has been reached on that, and Boivin told WISN that the project would be “a game changer” for the tribe.

Last year’s State of the Tribes address from Lac Courte Oreilles Chairman Gordon Thayer included pointed criticism of Republican legislators, and one lawmaker walked out. Boivin may address a controversial topic today: a recent state law which greatly limited the state Department of Public Instruction’s ability to force school districts to drop Indian logos and mascots. Barb Munson with the Wisconsin Indian Educators Association says she’s “been told that will happen.”

State of the Tribes speech decries lack of communication

April 10, 2013 By Jackie Johnson

Gordon Thayer gives State of the State address to full legislature (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

Lawmakers learn about the state of Wisconsin tribes on Tuesday, as one tribal leader denounces the new mining law.

Gordon Thayer, Chairman of Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, delivered the State of the Tribes address to the full legislature for the annual event. Among the many criticisms, one contentious issue between the state and the tribes is mining. “Make no mistake, the 11 tribes of Wisconsin oppose the proposed mine and its permitting process.”

Other controversial issues include the hunting of wolves and spear fishing; Thayer accused the Department of Natural Resources of spreading inflammatory political propaganda. He told the crowd, “We cannot cash in our natural resources for corporate profit.”

Thayer said his message to lawmakers focuses on establishing “progressive collaboration” and more communication. “But we’re not your adversaries, we’re a part of this great state of Wisconsin.” It was a sentiment repeated throughout the hour-long speech. He said Indians can’t be dismissed as a subgroup of people in Wisconsin.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in a statement after the speech that his party is working together with the tribes: “The State of the Tribes Address is a great opportunity to come together and learn more about the issues important to Wisconsin’s tribes. It’s essential that we maintain good government-to-government communications and find the areas of shared interests. While we may not agree on every issue, we can agree to listen to each other’s concerns and work together on the problems facing our state.”

Thayer acknowledged that tribes have “no shortage of challenges” before them on reservations, as well in the cities. “One of those issues is prescription drug abuse that’s rampant across the country.”

A state of emergency had been declared at Lac du Flambeau as a result of synthetic marijuana abuse killing their youths. Thayer said Illegal drug trafficking across the country is horrendous. On some reservations, he said, it is destroying whole families. “At LCO in the last year we had 10 people die of overdose.”

While Thayer criticized Governor Scott Walker for not mentioning them earlier this year in the State of the State address, he did commend the governor for meeting with the tribes several times, and scheduling even more meetings with tribal leaders.