44th Governor of Wisconsin James Edward "Jim" Doyle recognized for fighting for Forest County Potawatomi Tribe and Others


Phoenix, AZ (March 25, 2013) - In a seated luncheon located in the Phoenix Convention Center, former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle received the 2013 Chairman's Leadership Award given by National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. 


Governor Doyle has been recognized for his strong relationship with Wisconsin tribal governments and understanding tribal sovereignty and self-determination. There are currently 11 gaming tribes in Wisconsin out of 28 tribes. 


"This is a man who understands what is good for Indian country, is good for all of us," Chairman Stevens said. "Governor Doyle worked with tribes sign compacts that respected tribal sovereignty and the federal Indian Trust Responsibility, we need more leaders who want to build bridges with Indian country, and we respect what he accomplished for the State of Wisconsin." 


In 2005, he signed an executive order titled, "Relating to an Affirmation of the Government-to-Government Relationship Between the State of Wisconsin and Indian Tribal Governments Located Within the State of Wisconsin". It's purpose is to create and define the processes by which the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration work in collaboration with Wisconsin's eleven sovereign Indian Nations. 


This agreement, and many others worked on by Governor Doyle, acknowledged and supported American Indian sovereignty through the government-to-government relationship among the Indian Nations within the boundaries of Wisconsin, the State of Wisconsin agencies, and Federal Agencies. He continued to do this throughout his two terms.


"There is so much more at stake here, I am very proud for what we have and accomplished together, a system of consultation that required every one of my cabinet members to visit every single reservation annually, passed Indian child welfare legislation, and moved on environmental issues," Governor Doyle said. "All of this produced much better results. I congratulate all of the tribes who fought to protect their sovereign rights."