“Native, but not Native enough”: How the federal government measures tribal identity

During the month of November, Native American Heritage Month is observed by the federal government to call attention to the culture, traditions and achievements of the United States’ original inhabitants and their descendants. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse invited campus and community members to attend a seminar titled “The Lasting Trauma of Indian Policies in the United States on Indigenous Students” on Monday, Nov. 6, to recognize Native American Heritage Month. 

Leanne Vigue (she/her) was the keynote speaker at the event. Vigue has been a registrar in the Records and Registration Office at UWL for five years. However, working as a registrar is only one of the identities Vigue holds. Vigue’s Native name is Manih Enaemaehkiwkuhkiw which means ‘Thunder Woman’. Vigue is a descendant of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin...