LAC COURTE OREILLES RESERVATION — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Chairman Gary Clause and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Kristina Boardman, today celebrated the newest set of dual-language highway signs unveiled for placement on state highways as part of WisDOT’s Dual-Language Sign Program. The new signs identify the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) community and the Couderay River in both the Ojibwemowin and English languages.

“Taking it back to the beginning, our language is who we are as Anishinaabe,” said LCO Chairman Clause. “Our language isn’t just a language, it’s our way of life.”

“For the past five years, we’ve partnered with the federally recognized Tribes in Wisconsin to expand our dual-language sign program, and today, we’re excited to celebrate the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe becoming the tenth Tribe in Wisconsin to install dual-language signs,” said Gov. Evers. “Putting Ojibwe on road signs, alongside English, moves the language beyond classrooms and into everyday public use, and that visibility matters for younger generations learning the language and for promoting greater awareness and understanding across the region. As a state and as an administration, we are proud to continue supporting important initiatives like this.”

The sign unveiling took place at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University and expands on a statewide dual-language sign initiative launched by WisDOT in 2021. Through WisDOT’s sign program, the department has collaborated with federally recognized Native Nations in Wisconsin to install road signs on Tribal lands in both English and Indigenous languages.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians is the tenth Tribe in Wisconsin to install dual-language signs, along with the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Ho-Chunk Nation, Oneida Nation, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

“We’re honored to join the Lac Courte Oreilles in celebration of these dual-language signs and share the pride in their rich language and heritage,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “These dual-language signs are more than a transportation initiative—it’s about recognition, respect, and making sure every person can see themselves reflected in the places we share. We’re proud to work alongside LCO to recognize the Ojibwemowin language and the enduring presence of the people on this land.”

The new dual-language signs feature the Lac Courte Oreilles seal next to the Tribal name “Odaawaa Zaaga`igan” and one sign for the Couderay River “Odaawaa Ziibi.” The English translation of the highway sign is located beneath the Indigenous language.

WisDOT’s dual-language sign program also builds on the Evers Administration’s efforts to support Tribal Sovereignty and Indigenous language and cultural preservation. In July, Gov. Evers signed the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, in which he used his broad constitutional veto authority to ensure that all 11 federally recognized Tribes will receive $1 million each year for the next two years to help support Tribal programs and language revitalization efforts.

Today’s event also builds upon the Evers Administration’s ongoing work with the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. In October 2025, together with LCO and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Gov. Evers took action on Executive Order #277, which advances on a number of issues around Tribal Treaty Rights and stewardship, including preserving cultural resources and languages and ensuring sustainable food production like wild rice.

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.

An online version of this release is available here.