Sokaogon Chippewa chairman Robert VanZile called Tuesday for state lawmakers to take further action in addressing health concerns that disproportionately affect Native Americans.
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 on Tuesday. 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.