State of Tribes address cites some improvements among ongoing serious issues

Nicole Boyd covered issues ranging from protecting the state’s natural resources, health care access, gun control, online gaming and cannabis legalization to combating the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women at the annual State of the Tribes address on Feb. 10.

Boyd, chairwoman of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, spoke to fellow tribal leaders, legislators, and Gov. Tony Evers, calling attention to the tribes’ resiliency through turmoil and disruption.

Water is Life

Boyd called upon lawmakers to protect water resources. The Bad River Band has sought to block Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin, arguing it jeopardizes the tribe’s natural resources, including wildlife, bodies of water, and wild rice beds. 

“As a mother, an Anishinaabe woman, I beg you to join us in protecting the very resources that brought you, me, our children, our grandchildren, and future generations into this world,” Boyd said. “Without safe water, we will not survive. Think about the legacy you will leave behind when you tell people: ‘I protected the water.’” 

She also proposed naming “manoomin” the official state grain. Translating to “the good berry” in Ojibwe, manoomin is wild rice native to the Great Lakes region and a staple food for the Anishinaabeg people. 

Education, Health, and Wellness

“I believe, with every ounce of my soul, that education is crucial for personal growth, wellness, and transforming our society,” Boyd said. “Everyone should have equal access to quality education, and kids should have free school lunch.”

She promoted the expansion of the Wisconsin tribal education program across the UW system, particularly at Wisconsin tribal colleges. Increasing the program would allow many more students the opportunity to attend college, she said.

On the topic of health care, Boyd pointed to high addiction and suicide rates and argued more resources are needed to combat the mental health crisis facing indigenous people. Some progress has been made, she said, but it is not enough.

A 36-bed adolescent Recovery Wellness Center recently opened in Boulder, along with the new Lac Courte Oreilles Health Center and a community center at Mole Lake. Tribal Nations own and operate 11 federally qualified health centers in Wisconsin, providing comprehensive medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and specialty care for tribal and non-tribal beneficiaries.

When it comes to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, people are scared, Boyd said. While she praised Evers’ willingness to acknowledge the seriousness of the issue, more must be done, she argued.

“A new Office of Violence Prevention committee and task force are not enough,” she said. “We must improve our policies. We must invest the resources needed to prevent violent crimes against women and children.”

The Tribes are seeking improved access to medical cannabis and hemp-derived THC, Boyd said, explaining that indigenous people have used the plant for various medical and ceremonial purposes for centuries.    

“Wisconsinites are beyond ready and growing more impatient with lawmakers every day on this topic,” said Boyd. “We believe there is an opportunity for bipartisan support and success if we focus on the benefits and beneficiaries. There are 40 other states that have legalized, including our immediate neighbors in Michigan and Minnesota.”

Gaming benefits the Tribes and Wisconsin

Gaming revenue remains the driving economic force for tribal communities. Boyd said she supports legal online betting, with Wisconsin’s tribes in charge.

“Gaming revenue helps ensure that mothers and babies have access to health care and healthy food, that our elders can receive care, that families have housing, that our roads are plowed, and that law enforcement and fire departments are able to serve us,” Boyd said. 

Current law permits gaming in Wisconsin only on tribal lands. Assembly Bill 601 would allow online betting so long as it went through servers on tribal lands. The bill is based on the “hub and spoke system” used in Florida that has been upheld by the federal courts. 

“By allowing a legal framework for mobile sports wagering through Wisconsin’s tribes, the state will see increased revenue through the state gaming compacts, and consumers will have the legal protection needed to ensure they receive fair play,” Boyd said.

Boyd also highlighted the Tribal Nation’s many contributions to Wisconsin’s economy, citing as an example the partnership with the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, which generated more than $105 million in revenue for the state. 

Federal impacts are felt

Boyd also pushed back against federal agencies during her address. She called out U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), saying tribal leaders have had to work to shield their members from the disruptions they have caused.

Boyd cited threats to tribal sovereignty, staffing for the Indian Health Service and Head Start programs as examples. She praised tribal leaders and Attorney General Josh Kaul for fighting back. 

“The new federal government implemented their agenda – testing the fundamentals of a healthy democracy,” Boyd said. “We stay focused on our people. Indigenous people, sadly, we know these tactics all too well. Consequently, we are the most resilient humans you will ever encounter.”