Assembly Bill 548 and Senate Bill 493*, which would create a task force on missing and murdered tribal women and girls, were introduced into the Wisconsin legislature on October 14 and referred to Assembly and Senate committees for further consideration. This is an important first step!
Why These Bills are Important:
Homicide is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous Women. More than half of Native American women report having been raped or assaulted. The media have largely been silent or, worse, blamed the victims. It is time to shine a light on this atrocity, and come together to work to end it.
Next step: Legislative hearings!
Join the women of Menīkānaehkem in contacting these committee chairs and asking them to hold hearings on these bills:
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Rep. Rob Swearingen, Chair, Assembly Committee on State Affairs
(608) 366-7141 or (888) 534-0034 Fax: (608) 266-3634
Rep.Swearingen@legis.wisconsin.gov [⇐ click to send email]
Room 123 West
State Capitol
PO Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
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Sen. Duey Strobel, Chair, Senate Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection
(608) 266-7513 Fax: (608) 282-3560
Sen.Stroebel@legis.wisconsin.gov [⇐ click to send email]
Room 18 South
State Capitol
PO Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
Read more about the bill and the legislators behind it in this Journal-Sentinel article.
Read more about Menīkānaehkem here.
Help spread the word: Download and share the attached flyer.
* These bills were drafted by Renee Gralewicz, professor of anthropology and Native American Studies at UW-Fox Valley and a peacemaker of the Brothertown Indian Nation of Fond du Lac; and Lisa Hurst, Native Peoples Outreach Advocate at Reach Counseling in Oshkosh, and a member of the Oneida Nation.
Wow! THANK YOU to all those who contributed to the 2019 ESTHER challenge match campaign, which ended on December 31.
during 2019 over 2018, for a total of $7,028—40 percent more than the goal!—in response to the $5,000 challenge pool!
Join ACLU of Wisconsin's Director of Community Engagement Emilio De Torre as he walks you through how to exercise your constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement and ICE, as well as how to use them on social media. The event will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Neenah, WI, and is being sponsored by the ACLU of Wisconsin and ESTHER’s Prison Reform Task Force. This presentation is the program for the February 2020 meeting of the Task Force.
I was born and raised in Green Bay with six siblings where I was inspired to become a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Green Bay. I entered a seminary there and finished my education at a Benedictine Monastery, completing my theology studies and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree. I worked in migrant ministry for the diocese and served as director of a spiritual retreat house. In the ten years I was in the Dominican Republic I was exposed to a spirituality of the poor. That was followed by creation spirituality given me by the Menominee Nation while pastor at St. Anthony Parish, Neopit.
At the global scale, we know climate change disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, but how is this playing out here in the Fox Cities? In this panel you’ll hear from a set of diverse voices from local organizations as they discuss the following question: “From your perspective, what are the social justice issues and concerns related to climate change?” This event also offers the opportunity to learn about the unique approaches of local organizations that are working to address climate change. If you’re trying to find the right place to plug in, this is a great place to begin!
Bringing justice and equity to our society will not happen overnight, or even in a year or two.
