Representative Shelia Stubbs’ Statement on the 20th Annual State of the Tribes Address

MADISON, WI – After attending the 20th Annual State of the Tribes Address delivered by Forest County Potawatomi Chairman James  Crawford at the Wisconsin State Capitol, Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“It was moving to hear this year’s State of the Tribes Address from Forest County Potawatomi Chairman James Crawford and an honor to welcome leaders and members of Wisconsin’s sovereign tribal nations to the Wisconsin State Capitol. My district, the 77th Assembly District, is located on the traditional lands of the Ho-Chunk people, who have lived there for time immemorial.

Chairman Crawford’s message touched on critical issues of equity and quality of life across our state, especially for marginalized communities. While we can celebrate the strides we have made as a state in partnership with our tribal nations in expanding access to affordable housing for working families, healthcare, and nutritious food, there is still much more work to be done.

Even with the historical creation of the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women taskforce, there is still much more work to be done regarding the exploitation and trafficking of Indigenous women and girls. I deeply identify with this issue, as most of my career has been dedicated to eradicating this issue within other communities as well. We have seen the ways in which Wisconsin turns a blind eye to the trafficking of marginalized people. Now is the time to take initiative with the creation of committees and taskforces such as the Speakers Taskforce for Human Trafficking or the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women taskforce that will help address humans trafficking crisis that our communities are facing in Wisconsin.

I am committed to building a diverse Wisconsin where our differences in background are celebrated, an equitable Wisconsin in which all people have fair access to opportunities and their basic needs, and an inclusive Wisconsin where everyone feels they belong. I welcome further partnership with Wisconsin’s Indigenous community on this work and vow to honor their needs and voices in the legislative process. Thank you to Chairman Crawford and to all the leaders and members who were able to be present on this momentous day.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.