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Wisconsin Watch partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.

Yes.

Twelve Native Nations reside in Wisconsin, with 11 having federal recognition.

They include the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Ho-Chunk Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Nation, Forest County Potawatomi, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa, Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake), and Stockbridge-Munsee.

The Brothertown Indian Nation also resides in Wisconsin, and while it is not federally recognized, its tribal leaders are attempting to gain recognition — a move that Gov. Tony Evers supports. Federal recognition grants tribes certain federal benefits, protections and support.

In the 2020 Census 144,572 people in Wisconsin identified — at least in part — as American Indian or Alaska Native, or about 2.5% of the state population. The Menominee is the most populous tribe in Wisconsin.

This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Wisconsin First Nations: Frequently asked questions

Wisconsin Department of Health Services: American Indians in Wisconsin

WLUK: Only Wisconsin tribe without federal recognition looks to change that status

U.S. Census: Total races tallied: American Indian and Alaska Native

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Jacob Alabab-Moser joined as Wisconsin Watch’s fact checker in September 2022, as part of the effort by The Gigafact Project in partnership with different state-level news outlets to combat misinformation in the 2022 midterm elections. Jacob has several years of experience as a fact checker and research assistant at a variety of organizations, including at The Gigafact Project. He holds a BA from Brown University and is pursuing a MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science.