MADISON, WI – Today, Chairwoman Nicole Boyd of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa delivered the 22nd annual State of the Tribes address. This is an honored tradition for Wisconsinites to further understand and develop our relationship with our sovereign tribal nations.
“As the original stewards of our state lands and water, members of Wisconsin’s tribal nations are key advocates of environmental policy and conservation efforts. Maintaining strong relationships with our tribal leaders and building trust at every opportunity is vital to our success as a state. Adopting a slogan like ‘water is life’ is simply not enough. As Chairwoman Boyd put it, ‘meaningful diligence is more than checking a consultation box.’ I will continue to call on my colleagues across the aisle to invest in clean water projects throughout the state,” stated Rep. Palmeri.
“As Wisconsin grows and looks into the future, we should lean on our tribal partners and adopt a ‘spirit of action’ when making decisions in Madison. Keeping our shared future in mind, we should enhance tribal enrollment in the UW System, protect natural resources, and provide economic opportunity across state and tribal lands. Each year I am inspired and reminded of the knowledge and wisdom available to us all if we take the time to listen.”
