In a thriving, equitable Milwaukee for all, no person is invisible. Yet, Indigenous people here and across the country continue to experience the erasure of their history as well as their lived experience and trauma. The resulting lack of representation perpetuates bias and an inaccurate understanding of the past, which prevents us all from moving forward together.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October and values this opportunity to honor the cultures and contributions of Native peoples – past, present and future. Collectively, this is one step we can take toward proper representation and true concern for the well-being of the community we share.
The Foundation acknowledges that the region we serve today is on the territory of Indigenous communities who cared for this land long before our presence, including the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Odawa, Fox, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sauk and Oneida. We pay respect to these lands and peoples, as well as Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized Native Nations and tribal communities.
As Wisconsin’s largest community foundation, we will continue to use our position and resources to amplify the voices and priorities of everyone who calls Milwaukee home today – especially those who have been systematically silenced or made invisible – so we may build a more inclusive, just and vibrant greater Milwaukee.
