Wis. tribal leader promises ‘positive’ speech

MADISON, WI (AP) — A Wisconsin tribal leader promises a gentler State of the Tribes address this year.

Menominee Chairman Craig Corn is set to give the Feb. 13 address to the Legislature.

Then Lac Courte Oreilles Chairman Gordon Thayer took Republican lawmakers and state officials to task last year, accusing them of spreading propaganda about spearfishing quotas, passing mining legislation that will damage the environment and ignoring the tribes.

Rep. Bill Kramer walked out in anger.

Tensions are still running high between the state and tribes after Republicans passed a bill making it harder to strip public schools of American Indian mascots.

The Menominee Nation also wants Gov. Scott Walker to approve a request for a Kenosha casino despite other tribes’ opposition. Corn says he’ll stay positive in his speech.