Lac du Flambeau Tribal President John D. Johnson, Sr. gives the 2021 State of the Tribes Address in the Assembly Chamber. Image courtesy: Wisconsin Eye
MADISON, WI (WSAU-WXPR) The Lac du Flambeau Tribal president says people have made strides in addressing racism towards Native Americans, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Racism and stereotypes were the central theme of John Johnson Senior’s State of the Tribes address in the Wisconsin Assembly. He used examples of his own experiences here in the Northwoods to talk of these issues. Johnson says tribal members have rights to spearing fishing and other harvesting that are often challenged. “We’re still harassed every year, threatened, sometimes we’re shot at, or even assaulted for harvesting fish other resources to provide for our communities. Even though we restock countless lakes and fish. And seek to manage and sustain natural resources for future generations. This behavior stems from ignorance.”
One recent positive change Johnson has seen is the renaming of an offensive lake that was derogatory towards Native women.
He says the tribe was able to work with the lake association to change the name and find a compromise. “There are people who believe we are less than human. They believe it is acceptable to murder, rape, and abduct native women and girls. This and many other reasons drive our ongoing efforts retire offensive and demeaning names and mascots.”
Johnson called on lawmakers to make cultural education a standard throughout the state to help fight racism.
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