Menominee, Evers unveil new dual-language signs

Visitors to the Menominee Reservation will be able to not only know where they are due to some new dual-language highway signs, but they’ll also know their location in the Menominee language.

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin unveiled its new signs Nov. 17 that indicate when someone has entered the reservation and county that makes up most of it, as well as specific community signs for Keshena, Middle Village, Neopit and Zoar. Besides tribal officials, Gov. Tony Evers, Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson and U.S. Federal Highway Administrator Glenn Fulkerson came out to sing the signs’ praises.

Menominee Tribal Legislator Joey Awonohopay noted that the tribal elders from long ago had wished for everything to be displayed in the Menominee language, but that language was brought very close to extinction, with only a recent drive to reestablish the language through programs and other aspects prompting the people to embrace their mother tongue.

“It was their (elders) vision to have our signs in our language, our schools that spoke our language, our tribal business run in our language, our tribal departments in the language,” Awonohopay said. “These were the visions that we picked up and we carried forward today.”

The Menominee are the third tribe in Wisconsin to receive dual-language highway signs. In 2021, the Oneida Nation and the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa install signs on their tribal territory.

Menominee leaders described Evers as a friend of their people, and Evers spoke about how the signs are celebration for the bond shared between tribal officials in Keshena and state officials in Madison.

“First, we’re celebrating the government relationship that we share with the Menominee Nation,” Evers said. “Also, as governor, I’m committed to upholding tribal sovereignty. That’s what we begin with and continue to do with the collaboration and partnership of these signs.”

Evers noted the timing of the signs being unveiled in November, which is Native American Heritage Month, gives an opportunity to reflect on the state’s history with the tribes.

“It’s through these partnerships, folks that we better work together, build stronger communities and support the people that we serve,” Evers said. “It is symbolic, but it’s not symbolic. It’s something that is really important to me … and I know it’s important for the tribal members.”

Thompson saw the sign unveiling as an important day in history, acknowledging his longtime friendship with Corn.

“When we have these signs on the roadway, they really give a sense of place,” Thompson said. “What better way than through this dual-language sign program that we give a stronger sense of place and of heritage for people to know what they are coming into?”

Menominee Chairman Ron Corn Sr. noted that Evers’ leadership of the state helped to lead to the new signs being part of the reservation’s highways. He also said that the tribe’s commitment to reclaiming its culture also made an impact.

“For us, it’s at the center of how we want to move forward as a people. We want to keep our language. We want to keep our culture at the center of everything we do,” Corn said.

Culture and language are the keys to sustainability for the tribe, in Corn’s opinion, and having the dual-language signs will move the tribe forward in its own prosperity.

“Sometimes, it feels like it’s not fast enough, but we’re moving in the right direction,” Corn said.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com