A push at the Capitol to recognize the sovereign status of American Indian tribes living in Wisconsin.
State Representative Terry Musser (R-Black River Falls) says too many people don't recognize the sovereignty of the 11 tribes living in Wisconsin, so he's co-sponsoring legislation to change that. Musser says the people of Wisconsin need to be educated about the importance of sovereignty.
The bill would acknowledge American Indian Tribes as their own independent political communities. The Black River Falls says it would essentially mean the state would deal with the tribes in the same ways it would deal with the governments of foreign countries.
Musser says the bill is in response to last week's State of the Tribes address at the Capitol, in which leaders called on lawmakers to take up the issue. He says it's important to them, even if many lawmakers don't even want to discuss the issue.
Past efforts to pass similar legislation have failed. Musser isn't too optimistic about the chances of the bill this session, but he still feels it's important for the state to have the discussion.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:02)
