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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIO N 90
November 15, 2023 - Introduced by Senators SMITH, AGARD, CABRAL-GUEVARA,
CARPENTER, FELZKOWSKI, HESSELBEIN, LARSON, ROYS and SPREITZER,
cosponsored by Representatives CONLEY, VINING, MURSAU, C. ANDERSON, J.
ANDERSON, ANDRACA, BARE, BILLINGS, CLANCY, CONSIDINE, DRAKE, EMERSON,
GOYKE, GUSTAFSON, HONG, JACOBSON, JOERS, S. JOHNSON, MADISON, MOORE
OMOKUNDE, NEUBAUER, O'CONNOR, OHNSTAD, ORTIZ-VELEZ, RATCLIFF, RIEMER,
SHANKLAND, SHELTON, SINICKI, STUBBS and TITTL. Referred to Committee on
Senate Organization.
Relating to: recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month.
Whereas, November is designated National Native American Heritage Month
to recognize the rich history, culture, tradition, and contributions of the country's
Indigenous population; and
Whereas, Congress requested that President George H.W. Bush designate
November as National Native American Heritage Month in 1990, and Presidents
Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joseph Biden have
all issued annual proclamations designating November as National Native
American Heritage Month; and
Whereas, the state of Wisconsin consists of the land of 11 federally recognized
American Indian nations and tribal communities: Bad River Band of the Lake
Superior Tribe of Chippewa, Forest County Potawatomi Community, Ho-Chunk
Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin,
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Menominee Indian
Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Nation, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
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Indians, Sokaogon Chippewa Community , Saint Croix Chippewa Indians of
Wisconsin, Stockbridge-Munsee Community, and other tribes that are not federally
recognized; and
Whereas, the Wisconsin State Legislature recognizes that the State Capitol
occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land; the Ho-Chunk people are known as the People
of the Sacred Voice and resided on these lands until being forcibly removed by the
federal government in the 1830s following the Indian Removal Act of 1830; and
Whereas, the Wisconsin State Legislature recognizes that the Menominee
Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, having no migration story, are the original people of this
land since time immemorial; and
Whereas, Native Americans shaped our nation and state long before each was
founded, including being a primary example for the ideals of our government; and
Whereas, the American Indian nations in Wisconsin are among the greatest
assets of the State of Wisconsin and provide vital economic impact in the State of
Wisconsin as the largest employers in the vast majority of counties in which their
communities reside; and
Whereas, when faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Indian
leaders in Wisconsin rose to the challenge, took an aggressive approach to keeping
their communities safe, and did what was necessary to protect their most valuable
and vulnerable resources—their tribal members and their neighbors within tribal
communities and their surrounding communities; and
Whereas, Wisconsin is rich in American Indian tradition and culture; and
Whereas, to better educate youth about Wisconsin's American Indian culture,
2021 Wisconsin Act 31 requires all Wisconsin public schools to provide instruction
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in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the 11 federally recognized American
Indian nations and tribal communities in Wisconsin; and
Whereas, out of respect for, to honor, and to recognize the invaluable actions and
contributions made by the Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Wisconsin and
the United States; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin
Legislature recognizes November as Native American Heritage Month.
(END)
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