Tribal Leaders Meet with Housing Corporation at State of the Tribes

By Jennifer Cadotte

LCO Public Relations Specialist

LCO TGB Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier, LCO Chairman Louis Taylor, Governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers & LCO Vice-Chairman Tweed Shuman

On March 18, 2025, members of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board (LCO TGB) attended a presentation hosted by the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) in Madison, WI. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was also in attendance. WIHEDC's mission is to promote Native economic development by advancing the financial sovereignty of Native individuals, families, Native- owned businesses, Tribal enterprises, and communities across Wisconsin.

LCO Vice-Chairman Tweed Shuman emphasized the importance of networking at such events, stating, "Engaging with other tribal leaders and professionals helps us expand our resources, enabling us to create more economic opportunities for our community."

The LCO TGB also met with Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration. During the meeting, LCO Chairman Louis Taylor raised concerns regarding the administration of federal education funding. Chairman Taylor expressed, “Tribes should receive these funds directly, allowing us to utilize them according to our needs, without state regulation.” Secretary Blumenfeld responded, stating, “We want to make sure basic needs are met, especially food sovereignty. The pressure will be to be more efficient.”

LCO TGB Member David Scott Bisonette, Secretary of the WI DOA Kathy Blumenfeld, LCO Vice-Chairman Tweed Shuman, WI DOA Intergovernmental Affairs Dawn Vick, LCO TGB Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier & LCO Chairman Louis Taylor