Wisconsin State of the Tribes Address at the State Capitol Tuesday.

Madison, WI – Tuesday, President Shannon Holsey of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation delivered the annual Wisconsin State of the Tribes Address at the State Capitol. Holsey’s speech highlighted issues pertaining to Wisconsin’s education, environment, and healthcare access.

Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) expressed her sincere gratitude for the tribal nations that came to Madison for this important event.

“Today I was honored to join my legislative colleagues for the 2022 State of the Tribes Address here in the State Capitol. As we come together to recognize Wisconsin’s sovereign tribes as intergovernmental partners, it is crucial that we first take a moment to acknowledge that we are gathered on occupied Ho-Chunk land here in the State Capitol.

“Our state government must be an active partner in honoring our relationship with Wisconsin’s eleven federally recognized sovereign tribal nations. Indigenous tribes were the first residents of our state and nation, and we continue to occupy their land. Their contributions are deeply intertwined with Wisconsin’s culture and history.

“I want to thank President Shannon Holsey of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation for taking the time to join us to share a joint vision for Wisconsin. We share the same goals: providing hope for future generations of Wisconsin through investing in public education, preserving our environment and natural resources, addressing racial disparities, and expanding healthcare access for all people in our state.

“Every year, our state government has opportunity to join Wisconsin’s tribal nations to renew our shared commitment to all the people of this state. As lawmakers, we need to come together to learn from our state’s history—a history rooted in colonization and violence—to move forward with compassion and respect for our Indigenous communities. I look forward to continuing to work with Wisconsin’s tribal leaders on how we can invest in and support our tribal nations.”