Friday, Dec. 1, 2023
Is Wisconsin home to 12 Native Nations?
Twelve Native Nations reside in Wisconsin, with 11 having federal recognition.
They include the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Ho-Chunk Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Nation, Forest County Potawatomi, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa, Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake), and Stockbridge-Munsee.
The Brothertown Indian Nation also resides in Wisconsin, and while it is not federally recognized, its tribal leaders are attempting to gain recognition — a move that Gov. Tony Evers supports. Federal recognition grants tribes certain federal benefits, protections and support.
In the 2020 Census, 144,572 people in Wisconsin identified — at least in part — as American Indian or Alaska Native, or about 2.5% of the state population. The Menominee is the most populous tribe in Wisconsin.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Wisconsin First Nations Frequently asked questions
- Wisconsin Department Of Health Services American Indians in Wisconsin
- WLUK Only Wisconsin tribe without federal recognition looks to change that status
- US Census Total races tallied: American Indian and Alaska Native
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Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by Gigafact contributor publications.
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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