AJR97,,112023 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 97 November 27, 2023 - Introduced 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, cosponsored by Senators Smith, Agard, Cabral-Guevara, Carpenter, Felzkowski, Hesselbein, Larson, Roys and Spreitzer. Referred to Committee on Rules.
AJR97,,22Relating to: recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month. AJR97,,33Whereas, November is designated National Native American Heritage Month to recognize the rich history, culture, tradition, and contributions of the country’s Indigenous population; and AJR97,,44Whereas, 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 AJR97,,55Whereas, 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 Indians, Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Saint Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, Stockbridge-Munsee Community, and other tribes that are not federally recognized; and AJR97,,66Whereas, 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 AJR97,,77Whereas, 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 AJR97,,88Whereas, Native Americans shaped our nation and state long before each was founded, including being a primary example for the ideals of our government; and AJR97,,99Whereas, 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 AJR97,,1010Whereas, 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 AJR97,,1111Whereas, Wisconsin is rich in American Indian tradition and culture; and AJR97,,1212Whereas, to better educate youth about Wisconsin’s American Indian culture, 2021 Wisconsin Act 31 requires all Wisconsin public schools to provide instruction in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the 11 federally recognized American Indian nations and tribal communities in Wisconsin; and AJR97,,1313Whereas, 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 AJR97,,1414Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin Legislature recognizes November as Native American Heritage Month.
