This week, we heard Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill give the State of the Tribes address during a joint convention of the Wisconsin Legislature. I'm proud to stand beside our tribal leaders as we work towards shared goals.
Read on for more information about the State of the Tribes address, as well as an update about the Committee on Children and Families, some other Capitol goings-on, and a fun Wisconsin fact.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.
Sincerely, Lisa Subeck State Representative 78th Assembly District
State of the Tribes: Celebrating Wisconsin’s Tribal Past, Present, & Future
On Tuesday, I had the privilege of listening to the 15th Annual State of the Tribes address in the Assembly Chamber. This annual address takes place before a joint convention of the legislature, but this year was different because it was the first time in eight years our (new!) governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and attorney general were in attendance to hear the concerns directly from Wisconsin’s tribal leaders.
Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill was selected by the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council to deliver this year’s address. He began his speech by highlighting how Wisconsin’s tribes contribute to the state’s economy especially through employment opportunities and gaming compacts. He then shared his concern that 31 Wisconsin schools still use Native American symbols and names as school mascots which is dehumanizes Native American people and disrespects their culture.
He also spoke about how climate change is affecting Wisconsin, how chronic wasting disease is causing a serious threat to our deer population, and toll drug addiction, poverty and health care costs has on the tribal communities. He urged all of us to do better a better job of protecting Native American Women and Children. Additionally, he informed us that the tribes support Governor Evers’ plan to expand Medicaid coverage.
Wisconsin’s eleven sovereign tribal nations are at the center of our state’s past, present, and future. It was an honor to celebrate the cultural heritage of our state’s tribes, recognize the injustices these nations have endured, and renew our commitment to work with Wisconsin’s tribal communities toward our shared goals. It was a great day to solidify government-to-government relations between the State of Wisconsin and the eleven federally recognized tribes.
On Tuesday, Assembly Joint Resolution 16 was voted on by the Assembly. I authored this resolution along with Sen. Kathy Bernier (R – Chippewa Falls) to proclaim March 19, 2019 as Women in Public Office Day. I had hoped the Assembly would take this up in March to coincide with Women’s History Month, but our session schedule didn’t make that possible. Despite it being taken up a few days late, I was pleased it was put on the Assembly Calendar for session this week because I think it’s important to recognize the women who have stepped up to hold public office at the local, state and federal levels since politics is still a male dominated field. Recognizing these women and their work is also a fundamental way to inspire the next generation of women leaders.
However, celebrating women in public office may not have been possible without the women before us who fought for women’s suffrage. Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment on June 10, 1919, and in honor of this Governor Evers issued an executive order on Thursday creating the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin’s Ratification of the 19th Amendment. The committee is comprised of all of the women elected in Wisconsin at the state level, and I look forward to serving with them as we celebrate Wisconsin’s role in the suffrage movement.
Committee on Children & Families Passes Bills Protecting Wisconsin Teens
This week in the Committee on Children and Families where I am the ranking member, we unanimously passed two important bills that now can be scheduled for a vote by the Assembly and Senate. These bills fight homelessness and human trafficking amongst Wisconsin teenagers, who are far too often some of the most at-risk members in our society.
Assembly Bill 41 protects teens under the age of 18 from being charged with prostitution. Right now, one of the biggest challenges for law enforcement is teenage victims of sex-traffickers are too afraid to report their situation because they too can be charged with a crime. This bill allows law enforcement to pursue the real perpetrators, and not inflict more harm on the victims.
The other bill, Assembly Bill 52, allows homeless 17-year-olds to enter into contracts for transitional housing or shelters. Traditionally, 17-year-olds tend to fall through the cracks because many youth services no longer serve them, and they are not old enough for adult services or to legally enter into a contract such as a lease. This is why AB52 is needed; it makes an exception for them under certain guidelines to help them improve their living situation by allowing them to enter into specific housing agreements.
I feel both these bills are a step in the right direction to help vulnerable teenagers in Wisconsin, and am hopeful they will both be scheduled for a vote soon by both houses of the legislature. Wisconsin’s youth need these protections.
Next Wednesday, April 17th, my Dane Co. colleagues, Secretary Andrea Palm of the Department of Health Services, and I will be holding a town hall to hear your comments and concerns about Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin. After years of Walker rejecting federal funding for Medicaid expansion, Governor Evers has included in his budget a plan to finally expand Medicaid in Wisconsin, and we would love to hear your opinions on this matter. This meeting is being held on the near east side at Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St, Madison, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. I hope to see you there!
University of Wisconsin - Madison alumnus and Professor Emeritus Truman Lowe (Wakajahųkga) was an internationally acclaimed artist whose works were deeply rooted in his Ho-Chunk heritage. He was regarded as a master sculptor, with exhibits featured not only in Wisconsin and the United States but internationally in places such as Canada, Europe, Africa, South America, and New Zealand.
His worked bridged the traditional, contemporary, abstract, and representational worlds of Native American fine art, and he was well known for utilizing natural materials to create objects that illustrate the relationship of nature and culture. In addition to being an artist and professor, he also worked as curator of contemporary art for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian where he holds the distinction of curating its inaugural exhibition.
Lowe was born in 1944 and grew up in a Ho-Chunk community near Black River Falls. He passed away in March 2019, and leaves behind a legacy of beautiful Native American art with pieces exhibited all over the globe.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
Ukrainian Egg Decorating Exhibition Saturday, April 13th Noon to 2 PM Orange Tree Imports 1721 Monroe St., Madison
A free drop-in demonstration of the art of Ukrainian egg decorating will be held at upstairs at Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Monroe Street in Madison, on Saturday, April 13, from noon-2 pm. Artist Pat Hall will show how a traditional stylus, or kistka, is used to draw a pattern on an egg using hot wax. More of the design is drawn on the egg after each successive, different color dye bath. The brilliant colors of the finished egg are first revealed when all the layers of dark wax are melted off after the last dye bath. Call 255-8211 for more information.
Dane Handmade Saturday, April 13th 10 AM - 4 PM LMonona Community/Senior Center 1011 Nichols Rd., Monona
Dane Handmade, a local craft show, is an opportunity for makers to showcase new mediums as well as new purposes for upcycled materials. Goods vary from prints, woodworking, textiles, felting, pottery, jewelry, whimsical, and earthy...just to name a few and every show has new makers to shop. Shoppers always expect the unexpected and purchase one-of-a-kind items in a casual, local shopping environment.
Arboretum Walk, Effigy Mounds Sunday, April 14th Starts at 1 PM UW Arboretum 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison
The Arboretum contains rare mound groups built more than 1,000 years ago. On this naturalist-led walk in Wingra and Gallistel woods, you will learn about these ancient earthworks and the people who built them. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
From Earth to the Universe Monday, April 15th at 6:30 PM Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 PM & 7:45 PM Memorial High School 201 S. Gammon Rd., Madison
History Sandwiched In Tuesday, April 16th 1:00 PM Wisconsin Historical Museum 30 N. Carroll St., Madison
What is Oral History? And Why Does It Matter?
The term oral history appears a lot online, so much so that its true meaning has become obscured. Professional oral historians, such as UW-Madison Oral History Program Head Troy Reeves, have tried to push back against this phenomenon through his writings and presentations, including showing examples of "real" oral history done by Wisconsin organizations, including the Wisconsin Historical Society. So, join him as he answers two questions: What's oral history? And why does it matter? Free, but suggestion donation: $3 per person.
Celebrate Poetry: Madison Metro Bus Lines Poetry Reception Wednesday, April 17th 6 PM - 8 PM Central Library 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison
Come celebrate a reception honoring the poets selected to be part of the 2019 City of Madison Poet Laureate and Madison Metro Bus Lines Poetry Project.
Stop Motion Animation Thursday, April 18th 3:00 PM Madison Children's Museum 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison
We will be experimenting with clay, backdrops, puppets and more to make our own short video on an iPad. This digital storytelling process is great for building fine motor skills, developing patience and stretching our creativity. This event is free for museum members or free with admission. No pre-registration is required. 7$ admission while rooftop is closed.
What's a Zine? Thursday, April 18th 5:30 PM
Central Library 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison
This workshop will cover a brief history of the fan zines and its changing relevance in in the modern era. We will talk about making content, methods of construction and of course, creative distribution techniques. No previous is experience needed, ages 15+, registration is required. Call 266-6350 or register online here.