MADISON, WI (AP)-- A Chippewa tribal leader is set to deliver what could be a tense speech to the Wisconsin Legislature.
Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Gordon Thayer is scheduled to give the annual State of the Tribes address in the state Assembly chamber Tuesday.
Relations between Wisconsin's Chippewa tribes and state officials have deteriorated dramatically in recent months. The tribes are upset with a Republican law that relaxes mining regulations to help Gogebic Taconite open a giant iron mine just south of the Bad River tribe's reservation. They're also angry over the state's wolf hunt.
The tribes have tried to implement a night deer hunt, killed an elk and dramatically increased their spear-fishing goals on northern Wisconsin lakes, much to the chagrin of state wildlife officials.
