Tribal Leaders and Wisconsin Legislators Mingle at State of Tribes Reception

By Joe Morey News Editor

A reception was held in Madison on the eve prior to the State of the Tribes Address hosted by the Wisconsin State Legislature. The event was attended by leaders and representatives from all 11 Wisconsin Tribes, state leaders from both sides of the aisle and several state cabinet officials.

Janet Bewley, Democratic State Senator from Ashland, welcomed the tribal leadership and said it is these events that are so important to growing the relationship between the state and the tribes because it allows the tribal leaders to discuss the issues facing the tribal nations.

LCO Chairman Louis Taylor told LCO News that these networking events help improve communications between the state and the tribes. Not only was the Chairman able to talk with legislators but he also met with several of Governor Tony Ever's cabinet officials.

Pictured above from L-R) TGB Member Rose Gokee, Chairman Louis Taylor, Senate Minority Leader Janet Schilling (D-La Crosse), TGB Member Tweed Shuman, and Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh).

Pictured from L-R) Wayne LaBine, Great Lakes Intertribal Council Executive Director, Chairman Louis Taylor, Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine), TGB Member Tweed Shuman, and Wilfrid Cleveland, Ho Chunk President.

Pictured from L-R) Chairman Louis Taylor, TGB Member Tweed Shuman, Wayne LaBine, Great Lakes Intertribal Council Executive Director, and Kevin Carr, Secretary of the Wis. Department of Corrections.

Pictured above Chairman Taylor signed a petition to the state legislature to officially change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.