Wisconsin Indians 101 J P Leary UW-Green Bay

‘Wisconsin Indians 101’ J P Leary, UW-Green Bay

A BRIEF History. . . Lurie (1969) referred to Wisconsin as “A Natural Laboratory for North American Indian Studies” because of the cultural diversity among the tribes and because nearly every experiment in federal Indian policy, from removal to termination to restoration, was tried here.

A BRIEF History. . . • Two tribes – the Ho-Chunk Nation and Menominee Nation – have oral histories that place their origins in Wisconsin. • Oral histories tell of the migration of the Ojibwe to the Great Lakes region several hundred years ago.

A BRIEF History. . . • Six Ojibwe bands secured reservations by treaty in 1854. • The Potawatomi people moved north to avoid removal in the early 1800 s and purchased their reservation in 1913.

A BRIEF History. . . • The Oneida Nation, and Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans, and the Brothertown, came to Wisconsin in the 1820 s as the result of removal from New York. • The Oneida and Stockbridge-Munsee peoples secured reservations in the 1830 s.

A BRIEF History. . . • Several tribes left Wisconsin. The Dakota ceded their claims in Wisconsin and the Sac and Fox were removed. • The Ho-Chunk Nation also faced repeated removals but many kept returning. They secured a land base in Wisconsin 1874.

A BRIEF History. . .

Contemporary Wisconsin Indians

National Population Data • There are over 560 federally recognized tribes • American Indians represent 1. 6% of the population nationwide in 2000 • American Indians represent 1. 7% of the population nationwide in 2010 Sources: 2000 United States Census Federal Register, Friday, July 12, 2002

2010 Census • 5. 2 million Native people in US • 2. 3 million identify as American Indian/Alaska Native and one or more other races • 39% growth from 2000 Census • Highest responses for Cherokee, Navajo Source: Associated Press, Jan. 25, 2012

Population Projections • 2000 -2010 Greater rate of increase than general population • Projected population of 6. 8 million in 2030 • Projected population of 8. 6 million in 2050. Source: Associated Press, Jan. 25, 2012

American Indians in Wisconsin • Over 69, 000 people identify as AI/AN (alone or in combination). • Not all are members of Wisconsin tribes or bands. • ~1/3 of the AI/AN population is on-reservation, ~1/3 in nearby towns, and ~1/3 in urban areas. • Milwaukee is the largest Native community in the state (9, 116). • Green Bay ranks 5 th nationwide in % of AI/AN population among cities of 100, 000+

American Indian Tribes and Bands in Wisconsin • Approximately 14, 000 American Indian students attend public, private, or tribally-controlled schools in Wisconsin. • Three public school districts have an American Indian majority. • There are BIA contract schools operated by the Menominee, Oneida, and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwes.

Tribal Enrollment Nation Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Enrollment 6, 945 7, 275 3, 415 Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians 5, 312 Sokaogon Chippewa Community 1, 377 St. Croix Chippewa Community 1, 054 Forest County Potawatomi Community 1, 400 Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians 1, 565 Oneida Nation of Wisconsin 16, 567 Ho-Chunk Nation 6, 563 Menominee Nation 8, 720

Tribal Governments and Enterprises as Employers (DWD, 2010) • Bad River Ojibwe: Largest employer in Ashland County • Forest County Potawatomi: Largest employer in Forest County and among the largest in Milwaukee • Ho-Chunk Nation: Largest employer in Sauk and Jackson Counties • Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe: Largest employer in Sawyer County • Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe: Largest employer in Vilas County • Menominee Nation: Largest employer in Menominee County • Mohican Nation: Largest employer in Shawano County • Oneida Nation: 5 th largest employer in Brown County, 14 th largest in Outagamie County • Red Cliff Ojibwe: Largest employer in Bayfield County • St. Croix Chippewa: Largest employer in Burnett County and 2 nd largest in Barron County. • Sokaogon Chippewa: 12 th largest employer in Forest County

Tribal Governments

Ho-Chunk Nation Hoçak • No reservation in Wisconsin but trust lands and tribally owned parcels in 14 counties. • Over 6, 500 members. • Constitutional government with 4 branches: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, General Council. • Students attend Black River Falls, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Nekoosa, and other schools. • Major enterprises include Ho-Chunk Casino, movie theatre, Ni Si ni bottled water, Daxu Fair Trade Coffee. • Over 3, 000 employees.

Ho-Chunk Nation • Jon Greendeer, President • Elected June 2011 Masu Ska

Ho-Chunk Cinema Tomah, WI

Menominee Nation Omaeqnomenewak • • • Reservation established by treaty in 1854 Experienced termination (1954) and restoration (1973) Know world-wide for sustainable forestry practices Currently over 8, 000 tribal members Constitutional government with nine-member legislature and tribal court system Menominee Indian School District and Menominee Tribal School College of Menominee Nation, founded 1993 Major enterprises include Menominee Tribal Enterprises (forest products) and Menominee Casino, Bingo, and Hotel. Over 700 employees

Menominee Nation Menominee Tribal Legislature 2011 (L-R): Myrna Warrington, Vice Chair; Randal Chevalier, Tribal Chairman; Rebecca Alegria, Tribal Secretary; Laurie Boivin, Legislature (Middle); Lisa Waukau, Legislature; Craig Corn, Legislature; David Miller, Legislature; Orman Waukau Jr. , Legislature; Bruce Pecore, Legislature

College of Menominee Nation • • Founded 1993 Keshena (Main Campus) and Green Bay Campus ~ 600 students, 80% American Indian Associate and Bachelors Degrees, plus Technical and Trades diplomas and certificates • Fully NCA Accredited

Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians Anishinabe • Six independent, self-governing bands in Wisconsin. • Historically each was a major village site. • Reserved rights to hunt, fish, and gather offreservation in treaties signed in 1837 and 1842. • Common culture and some minor dialectical variations in language.

Bad River • Reservation secured through Treaty of 1854. • Nearly 7, 000 members. • Constitutional government with 7 member council. • Students primarily attend Ashland schools. • Major enterprises include Bad River Lodge and Casino. • Nearly 500 employees.

Bad River • Mike Wiggins, Jr. , Chairman • Re-Elected November 8, 2011

Lac Courte Oreilles “Pride of the Ojibwa” • • • Village site occupied since late 1700 s. Reservation secured in 1854. Over 6, 000 members. Constitutional government with 7 members. Students attend LCO Schools (BIA), Hayward, Winter. • Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College serves over 500 students. • Major enterprises include LCO Casino, Lodge, and Convention Center, WOJB-FM radio. • Over 900 employees.

LCO Ojibwa Community College • Founded 1982 • Offers Associate and Certificate Programs • Main campus at LCO, outreach sites at Bad River, Lac du Flambeau, Red Cliff, and St. Croix • HLC Accredited

Lac du Flambeau “Lake of the Torches” • • • Village site occupied since 1745. Reservation secured by treaty in 1854. Over 3, 000 members. Constitutional government with 12 member council. Students attend Lac du Flambeau Elementary and Lakeland Union High School. • Major enterprises include Lake of the Torches Casino and Conference Center, Simpson Electric. • Employs over 800 people.

Lac du Flambeau Waswagoning Village, Moving Cloud Lake

Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community • • Village occupied since late 1700 s. Reservation purchased in 1937. Successfully fought copper mine and purchased rights. Over 1, 200 members. Constitutional government with 6 member council. Students attend Crandon, Wabeno, Laona schools. Major enterprises include Mole Lake Casino and Bingo, small business incubator. • Over 200 employees.

Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Clinic near Crandon, WI

Red Cliff “Hub of the Chippewa Nation” • Reservation secured through Treaty of 1854. • Over 5, 300 members. • Constitutional government with 9 member council. • Students attend Bayfield schools. • Major enterprises include Legendary Waters Casino and Red Cliff Marina. • Employs over 300 people.

Red Cliff “Hub of the Chippewa Nation” Legendary Waters Casino – Red Cliff

St. Croix • Not a party to Treaty of 1854, no reservation until 1938 following federal recognition. • Over 1, 000 members. • Constitutional government with 5 member council and court system. • Siren, Webster, Cumberland, and Unity schools. • Major enterprises include St. Croix Casino and Hotel, St. Croix Waters Fishery, Emerald Systems Software. • Employs over 2, 500 people.

St. Croix Wild Rice Pow-wow

Forest County Potawatomi Neshnabek “Keepers of the Fire” • Historic homeland in SW Michigan, NW Indiana, NE Illinois and SE Wisconsin. • Potawatomis signed more treaties (42) with the United States than any other tribal nation. Reservation purchased in 1913 near Stone Lake. • Currently 1, 250 members. • Constitutional government with General Council, Executive Council, and court system. • Students attend Crandon and Wabeno schools. • Major enterprises include Potawatomi Bingo and Casino (Milwaukee), Northern Lights Casino (Carter), and a hotel and conference center. • Over 2, 700 employees.

Forest County Potawatomi • The museum includes permanent exhibits, historical and contemporary photographs, audio/video, books, treaties, manuscripts, language material and other memorabilia. • The library contains over 4000 books on the history and cultures of Native peoples of the Great Lakes • Language and cultural class instruction

Mohican Nation, Stockbridge Munsee Band Muh-hecon-ne-ok • Historic homeland in the Hudson River Valley. • “Many Trails” symbol reflects history of removals. • Current reservation is their third in Wisconsin. , acquired from the Menominee Nation in 1856. • Currently nearly 1, 600 members. • Constitutional government with a seven-member tribal council and court system. • Students attend Bowler, Gresham, Shawano school districts. • Major enterprises include Mohican North Star Bingo and Casino and Pine Hills Golf and Supper Club. • Nearly 750 employees.

Mohican Nation, Stockbridge Munsee Band Pine Hills Golf Course near Gresham, WI

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Onyota’a: ká: • Historic Homeland in western New York. • Member of Haudenosaunee Confederacy. • Current reservation purchased from Menominee and Ho-Chunk Nations, 1822. • Over 15, 000 members. • Constitutional government with nine-member business committee. • Seymour, Green Bay, West De. Pere, Freedom, and Pulaski schools. • Major enterprises include Radisson Hotel, Oneida Bingo and Casino, Tsyunhehkwa. • Over 3, 000 employees.

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Onyota’a: ká: Oneida Nation Elementary School

Brothertown Indian Nation • Currently NOT federally recognized. • Historic homeland along east coast. • Descended from Mohegans, Pequots, and other northeastern tribes whose “Praying Villages” were decimated by Revolutionary War. • Migrated to Wisconsin via Brothertown, NY. • Historically, closely associated with the Oneidas and Stockbridge-Munsees after Revolutionary War era. • Accepted U. S. citizenship and allotment by treaty in 1839. • Over 2, 000 members. • Self-governing tribe without relationship to state or federal governments.

Key Educational Organizations • Wisconsin Tribal Education Directors Association • Wisconsin Indian Education Association • Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. • Tribal Headstarts • Tribal Schools • Tribal Colleges

Wisconsin Indian Education Association • Mission: “To promote and support education and educationally related opportunities for American Indian people in Wisconsin” • 501(c)3 non-profit membership organization • Board meetings and regional membership meetings occur monthly • Holds annual conference in the spring

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council • Consortium of federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin and Michigan. • Board members are tribal chairs or presidents. • Supports self-determination and selfgovernance through administrative support and technical assistance • Advocates for the improvement and unity of tribal governments, communities, and individuals. • Non-governmental entity.

Cultural Protocols • Recognize tribal core values: Respect, Reciprocity, and Relationship. • Respect local knowledge, experience, and expertise. • Learn appropriate greetings and thank you for the Nation(s) you will work with. • Defer to Elders. • Graciously receive any gifts you may be given. • Allow for silences and pauses in discussion. • Be careful with direct questions. • Hand shakes, eye contact. • Talk less, listen more.

Political Protocols • Tribal leaders are government officials from another nation and should be treated as such. • Learn appropriate titles. ‘Chief’ is almost never appropriate. • No one leader speaks for all the tribes. • Talk less, listen more.

Wisconsin Indians 101 For additional information, please see: • Patty Loew, Indian Nations of Wisconsin, (Madison: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2001). • Wisconsin State-Tribal Initiative http: //witribes. wi. gov/

Wisconsin Indians 101 Adapted by: J P Leary, Asst. Professor Humanistic Studies - First Nations Studies University of Wisconsin – Green Bay learyj@uwgb. edu