State of the Tribes address yesterday in Madison

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The leader of a northeastern Wisconsin tribe has implored lawmakers to do more to address tribal concerns about pollution, health care and violence against Native American women. Robert VanZile, chairman of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, delivered the annual State of the Tribes address to a joint session of the Wisconsin Legislature yesterday. He implored the Republican-controlled Legislature to expand Medicaid and address a lack of access to emergency services on tribal lands.  VanZile also asked lawmakers to combat pollution from so-called forever chemicals, known as PFAS, and support Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to establish an office of missing and murdered indigenous women.