Wisconsin Conservation Voices In the News
Young voters in Milwaukee share the biggest issues motivating them to vote
We are two weeks out from the end of voting in this year's midterm elections, so we went to the battleground state of Wisconsin to get a sense of what election season looks like here. Outside an Indian health center, the group Wisconsin Native Vote unveiled a colorful mural as the Ho-Chunk Nation's Wisconsin Dells singers and dancers performed.
Wisconsin tribal communities make final push to get out the Native American vote
Tribal leaders and organizers in Wisconsin are making a final push to get Native Americans to the polls, just days before an election where key races could come down to a few thousand votes.
The organizers – part of Wisconsin Native Vote, an initiative of Wisconsin Conservation Voices – have sent thousands of postcards with reminders to vote, knocked on doors, chatted with voters at powwows, held get-out-the-vote rallies and handed out yard signs.
Vote for the Waters on
November 8
We have come together before in
resistance to the Crandon Mine and we
can come together and make an impact
when we vote.
So be the next generation of water
protectors, and vote on or before November 8.
New mural at Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center encourages Native Americans in Milwaukee to vote
The sound of prayers, drummers, jingle dress dancers, and speakers filled the air and a large mural depicted a jingle dress dancer standing colorful and looking proud.
Multiple community leaders spoke, discussing issues such as the environment and democracy. But the Native American relationship with health care was especially stressed.
Little Cedar Libraries aim to offer representation for Native Americans
Recently, members of the Menominee Nation and Oneida Nation have taken a new approach to what readers could expect to find at the libraries though, an approach that capitalizes on inclusion.
"I think it's important that kids out here see books by Native American authors, so they see themselves represented," says Justice Peche of the Oneida Nation.
'An issue everybody can stand by': Artists use music to get young people to vote
You could call them beats for ballots. Four young artists using their talents to encourage younger adults to vote. All were commissioned by the Wisconsin Conservation Voices, "Voice The Vote" campaign. Its goal is to make the voices of underrepresented communities heard. Richard Diaz is the director of voter registration.
Young Artists Create Music for Voter Turnout
Whether it was Virgin Records and MTV’s “Rock The Vote” organization, or Diddy’s “Vote Or Die” campaign, the combination of music and political activism have had lasting effects on culture over the past several decades. On a local scale, Wisconsin Conservation Voices, the Milwaukee Rep, Northwestern Mutual and local producer Q The Sun have joined forces for “Voice The Vote,” a campaign aimed at youth voter engagement.
Voice the Vote: Milwaukee Nonprofits Work to Make Voting More Accessible for People of Color
Wisconsin Conservation Voices and their partners held a “Voice the Vote” press conference on National Voter Registration Day to bring awareness to the work they are doing in helping communities of color and young people around Milwaukee register to vote.
The partner organizations have built lasting relationships with their communities and are using those deep connections to encourage voter participation, and urge people to register to vote.
'Sko Vote Den!': New mural to encourage high voter turnout from Milwaukee's Native population
On Friday, several Native organizations and tribes in Wisconsin came together for a ceremony at Milwaukee's Gerald Ignace Indian Health Center, encouraging Native Americans to get out and vote.
Milwaukee is home to the largest concentration of Native people in the state of Wisconsin. Friday's cultural gathering served as a reminder of the power the community can have at the polls.
Harvesting our Power as Native Voters
Fall brings the harvest – wild rice, squash, and numerous other vegetables that Mother Earth provides us. It is a time to celebrate the bounty we have and the people in our lives.
And this fall also brings the opportunity to vote for our future. On Nov. 8, Wisconsin has its midterm elections which will determine our new governor, U.S. Senate seat, and many other local officials.
Letter from the Ho-Chunk President
November 8 is Election Day.
Wisconsin plays a critical role in the national political landscape. That’s why all of us should take time to vote via absentee mail-in or early in-person ballot, or by going to the polls on Election Day.
$250k in grants awarded to Wisconsin nonprofits by Milwaukee Bucks Foundation
The Milwaukee Bucks Foundation announced it will be distributing $250,000 in grants to 20 Wisconsin-based nonprofit organizations, some of which are located in Dane County.
The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, Wisconsin Conservation Voices and Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund are all based here in Madison.
This is part of the Bucks’ summer grant cycle which aligns with the Foundation’s five pillars of health and wellness, economic and individual empowerment, education, civic engagement and criminal justice and law reform, according to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks, business leaders join letter opposing GOP voting bills moving through Wisconsin Legislature
Business leaders from across the state, including the Milwaukee Bucks and Weyco Group, are joining a letter to state lawmakers opposing bills moving through the state Legislature that would limit drop boxes, create more paperwork for absentee voters and require disabled voters to provide copies of their IDs in more cases.
Voice the Vote Voting Videos: Pyro - “We Out Here” (Presented by Milwaukee Rep and Wisconsin Conservation Voices)
As Voting is under way, we want to make sure our community is listening, understanding what is at stake and why their vote matters. So for the next few weeks we will be sharing videos featuring local artist who have a creative take on the subject. The artist’s messages are clear: “Make Change” and “Show Up.” The goal was to give these artists the opportunity to express themselves in the medium that speaks to them: music.
Stage the Vote: How Theatres Are Helping GOTV
The conflux of the novel coronavirus, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the looming presidential election has seemingly whipped the world as we knew it into a tailspin. In this time of uncertainty and unrest, theatre companies are finding innovative ways to support their communities with at-home learning opportunities and much-needed virtual entertainment. In the run-up to the election, community outreach and education departments have also focused on civic engagement with efforts to get out the vote.
The urban Native vote potential
Not only can the urban Native vote significantly make a difference in elections, they can bring in Indigenous elected officials to the table.
“We want to make sure that we’re represented. That people are accepted and treated fairly at the polls and as well as knowing that someday we expect our children or even our voting members right now to consider running for public office,” Dee Sweet said. “It’s a long process, but what better way to start than at the polls and to encourage people to vote.”
Ahead of midterm elections, Wisconsin Native Vote works to increase voter participation in tribal communities
But now, Dee Sweet says voting is an essential way for indigenous people to make their concerns and priorities heard.
“When you do not vote, it’s not an act of resistance on your part. Actually, it’s an act of surrender,” she says. “We don’t want to turn our backs on this important opportunity to have our voices heard.”
Native vote could help sway election in Wisconsin again
The mid-term elections are next week and in a swing state like Wisconsin, every vote matters. Organizations have been working this summer and fall to get out the Native vote in Wisconsin.
Erin Bloodgood, communications manager for Wisconsin Native Vote, a non-partisan, non-profit program of Wisconsin Conservation Voices, said her organization has found the top issue for Native voters is climate change and protecting the land and waters in Wisconsin, including the preservation and revitalization of wild rice beds.
Wisconsin Native Vote Mural Unveiling
On Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, Wisconsin Native Vote, a program of Wisconsin Conservation Voices, hosted a mural unveiling at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center located in Milwaukee, Wis.
Speakers created an engaging communal space for attendees to celebrate and honor our ancestors, stress the importance of healing in the community, and made plans to vote for the seventh generation.
Tuning into music education, Advocating for voting rights
We talk with two voting rights advocates about what they’re doing to make sure people can vote and what concerns they have about voting restrictions.
Wisconsin Native Vote hosts Milwaukee mural unveiling to encourage healing and get out the vote
Today, people from tribes across the state came to the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center for a mural unveiling and healing event hosted by Wisconsin Native Vote, a program of Wisconsin Conservation Voices.
The broad battle against limiting voting rights
Twenty years ago, Dee Her suffered a severe stroke after starting on dialysis. It curtailed her mobility, so she now uses a wheelchair or walker to get around. Then in 2017, shortly after a medically induced coma, the Sun Prairie resident became an indefinitely confined voter.
She tells her personal story in a matter-of-fact manner, the same way she describes how, for her, voting is already difficult — without any additional obstacles like the ones Republicans are proposing in a raft of bills currently making its way through the Legislature.
8 top Milwaukee songs and albums for November: Lekayah, Bisca Rae, Corey Pieper, Brett Newski, more
We’re coming up on arguably the most important election of our lives. And Milwaukee musicians are doing their part to get people to the polls, from Zed Kenzo aligning with Justin Vernon’s For Wisconsin voting initiative, to up-and-coming rapper Mudy laying out what’s at stake.
Wisconsin Conservation Voices Statements
Event at Forest County Potawatomi will create opportunities for Native youth to be civically engaged
CRANDON, Wis. – Forest County Potawatomi (FCP) and Wisconsin Native Vote (a program of Wisconsin Conservation Voices) will co-host an event to engage Native youth on topics relating to civic engagement, democracy, and environmental stewardship.
Wisconsin Native Vote hosts mural unveiling event in Milwaukee to get out the Native vote
MILWAUKEE – On Friday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. Wisconsin Native Vote, a program of Wisconsin Conservation Voices, will host a mural unveiling at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center to get out the Native Vote.
The event will bring together Native people and supporters from across the state to celebrate Indigenous peoples’ traditions, honor our ancestors, stress the importance of healing in the community, and make a plan to vote for the seventh generation.
Wisconsin voters participate in nationwide celebration publicly thanking election workers
WISCONSIN – On Tuesday, April 12, Wisconsin organizations and voters will host 10 “Thank Election Hero” events statewide, part of nationwide efforts with more than 50 events around the country. Voters will thank election officials for their tireless work running safe and accessible elections.
Wis. Voting Rights Coalition applauds automatic voter registration in Gov. Evers’ budget proposal
In his Feb. 16 budget address, Gov. Tony Evers proposed funding for automatic voter registration to improve accessibility to the polls and to keep voting information accurate and updated.
Member organizations of the Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition support this funding.
Media resource guide for midterm elections
WISCONSIN – Election Day for the fall general election is one week away and it is vital that every vote is counted, every voice is heard, and the election results are respected to preserve our democracy.
The United States has long stood as a model for a strong democracy with trusted elections. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, we will continue that tradition as people of all races, classes, and zip codes exercise their freedom to vote.
More than 60 Wis. Business Leaders, including the Bucks, Join Forces to Oppose Anti-Voter Bills
“We are Wisconsin business leaders, representing companies across the state, and we condemn the efforts of the state legislators who are proposing bills attacking our freedom to vote,” the statement reads. “Wisconsin state legislators have introduced a set of bills that would create steep barriers to voting, particularly targeting voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and Black and brown communities. We are calling on state elected officials to oppose these bills.”
Our future is in the hands of Wisconsin voters on April 6
The stakes were high for the November 2020 presidential election, generating the largest voter turnout in Wisconsin history. Now the stakes for our local elections on April 6 are even higher – and the power lies in the hands of the voters.
Wisconsin Conservation Voices thanks Gov. Tony Evers for vetoing gerrymandered maps
MADISON – Wisconsin Conservation Voices offers Gov. Tony Evers its profound gratitude for his veto today of the gerrymandered district maps the legislature passed last week.
“For a decade Wisconsin has suffered under some of the most egregious gerrymandering in the U.S. We thank Gov. Evers for standing up for our freedom to vote and rejecting this attempt to manipulate our elections for another decade through unfair districts designed to consolidate power rather than honor the will of Wisconsinites,” said Executive Director Kerry Schumann.
On National Voter Registration Day, a Group of Milwaukee Nonprofits Highlight Ways They are Working Together to Make Voting More Accessible
On Sept. 22, Wisconsin Conservation Voices and their partners held a press conference on National Voter Registration Day to bring awareness to the work they are doing to help communities of color and young people in Milwaukee vote.
These partner organizations have built lasting relationships with their communities and are using those deep connections to encourage voter participation and urge people to register to vote.