Wisconsin took a historic, albeit mostly symbolic, step in improving relations between the state and Wisconsin's sovereign American Indian tribes Tuesday by hosting the first-ever \State of the Tribes"" address in the Assembly at the Capitol.
Ray DePerry, chair of the Red Cliff tribe and president of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, spoke on behalf of the approximately 50,000 American Indians who live on 11 reservations, as well as several thousand more who live throughout the state.
He did not delve into any of the issues the state has wrangled with tribes through the years-such as Indian gaming compacts and off-reservation hunting and fishing by tribes-with one notable exception. DePerry said the approximately 40 schools in Wisconsin that use American Indian logos and mascots must change their names.
""It is unfortunate that we must ask our state Legislature to enact legislation outlawing such practices in our public schools, but it is more unfortunate that local school boards and public school administrators allow such a practice to continue,"" DePerry said.
""As tribal leaders, we are strong proponents for local control, but when local control becomes a device used by school boards to preserve discriminatory practices, then it's time for our state legislators to end such discrimination,"" he added.
Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said it was no coincidence that of the many issues between the state and American Indian tribes DePerry could have highlighted, he chose the mascot issue.
""The purpose of today's speech was to establish a level of respect, and the issue he chose ... is also a question of respect for the Indian people,"" Black said. ""I would hope people would realize this is deeply offensive to the Indians.""
Black is co-sponsoring legislation spearheaded by Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, and supported by DePerry that would restrict schools' ability to use American Indian depictions.
""[It] does not automatically eliminate the mascots, but it does put a burden on the school districts to show they are non-discriminatory,"" Black said.
While Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, said in a statement he may not always agree with the agenda put forth by the American Indian tribes, he did underscore the importance of DePerry's speech.
""For too long, we have not given the proper recognition to fellow Wisconsinites who are native to this state,"" Schultz said. ""Communication is so important to understanding, and understanding leads to greater cooperation and tangible results.\
