Gov. Tony Evers on Monday recognized and celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day with a video message honoring Wisconsin’s Native Nations and reaffirming the state’s commitment to respecting Tribal Sovereignty and fostering strong government-to-government relationships to build a brighter, more prosperous future for the state and the Native Nations.
“Wisconsin is home to 12 Native Nations that have each played an important role in the protection, conservation, development, and growth of our state and the Great Lakes region,” Evers said in his message. “We would not be the state or region we are today without the significant contributions of Indigenous people to our history, culture, economy, and to our future. And we are proud to celebrate Tribal leaders that have defended the land, protected the water, and championed Native rights and prosperity.
“Building strong relationships with the Native Nations and respecting Tribal sovereignty is such an important part of my role as governor,” he added.
Today marks the fifth consecutive year that Wisconsin has celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day, which was first recognized in 2019 when Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #50 to annually designate the second Monday in October. The governor’s office also said that Evers attended events with the Oneida Nation and the Ho-Chunk Nation on Monday.
“My commitment has been and will always be to strengthen our government-to-government partnership with Tribal Nations and to ensure that experiences and perspectives of Native people are always included and respected in our work at the state level,” Evers said in the video. “We have much work to do, but I look forward to continuing our work together in the years ahead.”
Wisconsin is home to 12 Native Nations, including the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Forest County Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Nation, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians, and Brothertown Indian Nation.
