Russ Feingold: “Today our Nation marks the grand opening of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. This new museum, the first…”

“Today our Nation marks the grand opening of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. This new museum, the first museum opening on the National Mall since 1987, is truly spectacular, with awe-inspiring architecture, striking landscaping, and remarkable holdings that richly reflect the range of Native American culture and traditions. By opening this museum, we have finally recognized the contribution of Native people to our Nation. This recognition is long overdue. The museum is not simply about the history of the American Indian, it is also a forward-looking museum, which recognizes the vitality of tribal life throughout the world. This vitality is clearly evident in my State of Wisconsin, which is home to eleven federally recognized tribal governments: the Brad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the Forest County Potawatomi Indian Community, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the Sokaogan Chippewa (Mole Lake) Community of Wisconsin, the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, and the Stockbridge Munsee Community of Wisconsin.”