Gloria Wiggins

As Northern Regional Tribal Organizer, Gloria works on bringing the northern tribes together to strengthen their voices by working with tribal governments to reach tribal members with voter registration and voter education information.

My Story

Boozhoo, Waabigwan indizhinikaaz. Makwa indoodem. Mashki-ziibiing indoonjibaa. I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have two amazing children, Jessenia and Jason, and am blessed with a loving grandson named Manuel. They are my pride and joy. I am married to a wonderful man: Daniel Wiggins Jr. He is the junior councilman for the Bad River Tribe and the executive director for MTERA. He has six beautiful children who have stolen my heart. Every year we plan a family vacation together and nothing is better than decompressing from life on a tropical beach with the people I love the most.

I moved to the Bad River Reservation in 2010 to reconnect with my cultural heritage and traditions. I immersed myself into the Ojibwe language and ceremonies. Then, I decided to return to college to set an example for my children and help my community. I am thankful for the beautiful Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin that has helped me become who I am today. 

While studying Native American history and Native American law at LCO University, I was intrigued and motivated to learn more about tribal government. Despite the atrocities against Natives, we have prevailed with resiliency. I am committed to helping our people learn more about our sovereign rights. Our right to vote was passed in 1924, only 100 years ago, while the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1788. Our voices were stifled for over two centuries; we need not surrender our voices any longer. Working with Wisconsin Native Vote is fulfilling my responsibility to my people.

Background

  • Received my Associates Degree in Native American Studies from Lac Courte Oreilles University in 2013 with Emphasis of Ojibwemowin 

  • Passed the Tribal Bar Exam for the Bad River Tribe in 2017, currently advocating for our tribal members and assisting the Bad River Legal Department as a Guardian Ad Litem for ICWA cases

  • First participant to complete the Adult Immersion Trainee Program in Bad River 2020: two year program that prepares fluency of the Ojibwe language for the Ojibwemowin Teaching Certification

  • Served as former Vice Chair on the Housing Board Committee 2021-2023; committed to serving our tribal members with affordable housing

  • Bizindaadidaa Program Director bringing families together to solidify communication efforts by promoting healthy family bonds while integrating cultural traditions and values

Interests

I love to travel, cook, read, and sew Native regalia and moccasins (which I teach classes on). When the seasons allow, my family and I harvest maple syrup, walleye, wild rice, berries, and birch bark to make baskets. We love to dance and attend pow wows throughout the Midwest during the summertime.

I'm a conservation voter because the self empowerment to encourage our people to vote is uplifting. Let’s unite to make this world a better place for the future seven generations. Clean water, affordable housing, access to healthcare and quality education is a right we all should have access to. With our vote, we can make a difference. Miigwech.

Favorite Place in Wisconsin: My favorite place in Wisconsin is Madeline Island. It’s a special place for us Anishinaabeg since it’s the final stopping point of our migration story, where the “food grows on water.”

Email: gloria@conservationvoices.org