May 15, 2019
On May 10, leaders from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the 12 Native Nations in Wisconsin met to discuss new and ongoing partnerships to improve health services, preserve the environment, develop local economies, strengthen families, and expand educational opportunities. Several Nelson Institute faculty and staff were in attendance, including Nelson Institute Dean Paul Robbins and Native Nations_UW Working Group co-chair and Nelson Institute faculty associate Jessie Conaway. During the event, the university and the Tribes announced several new initiatives including the creation of a culturally responsive research center on indigenous issues and the addition of a tribal relations liaison on the UW-Madison campus. Read more.
Photo courtesy of University Communications: Among the leaders attending the summit were (standing from left to right) Aaron Bird Bear, assistant dean for student diversity programs, School of Education; LeAnn White, vocational/higher education transition coordinator, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians;Tribal Council Member Jessica Ryan, Brothertown Indian Nation; Don Rosin, human resources manager, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians; Vice President Jolene Bowman, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians; Patrick Sims, UW–Madison chief diversity officer; Thomas Boelter, administrator of education and culture, Forest County Potawatomi; Mic Isham, executive administrator of the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission and past chairman of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Yvette McGeshick, education director, Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Paul Robbins, dean, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies; Legislator Gunnar Peters, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin; Soyeon Shim, dean, School of Human Ecology; Sarah Mangelsdorf, UW–Madison provost; Larry Nesper, director of American Indian Studies and professor of Anthropology; and Jessie Conaway, co-chair of the Native Nations_UW Working Group and faculty associate, Nelson Institute. Seated from left to right are Charles Hoslet, vice chancellor of university relations; Tribal Council Member Dylan Jennings, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Tribal Advisory Council Member Nehoma Thundercloud, Ho-Chunk Nation; Chancellor Rebecca Blank; Chairman Tehassi Hill, Oneida Nation; Michael Decorah, NN_UW Advisory Council delegate, St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; and Tribal Chairman Mike Wiggins Jr., Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.