Wisconsin

Beer, brats and ballots: Native organizers register voters at Brewers tailgate

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2024

Beer, brats and ballots: Native organizers register voters at Brewers tailgate

Native Americans from across Wisconsin attended a tailgate before the Milwaukee Brewers took on the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field Thursday.

But this wasn’t any ordinary tailgate — next to a table holding brats, hot dogs and a tray of cookies was another table where people could register to vote.

The event, organized by Wisconsin Native Vote, had a simple goal: increase voter turnout among Native American voters in the upcoming fall election.

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“My message to you is: Sko Vote Den,” Anne Egan-Waukau, an organizer of the event, said during the tailgate.

“Sko Vote Den” is a playful, phonetic spelling of “Let’s go vote, then.”

Gloria Waabigwan Wiggins, the northern regional organizer for Wisconsin Native Vote, said the tailgate was a way to get people together to talk about the importance of voting.

“If you don’t vote, I feel like you’re surrendering your voice,” Waabigiwan Wiggins said. “As Native people, our population is so low, it’s important for us to exercise our right and make sure our voices are heard.”

Native Americans register to vote at a tailgate before the Milwaukee Brewers game on Aug. 15, 2024. Evan Casey/WPR

Organizers said around 1,000 people from Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes attended the tailgate and game. Several speakers talked about the importance of voting, while people could register to vote and sign up to learn more about the election during the tailgate.

Mark Denning, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, emceed the event.

“It’s (voting) so very important,” Denning said. “The least of us in number, is as important as the most of us in number in this country.”

Wisconsin Native Vote, an initiative of Wisconsin Conservation Voices, is aimed at increasing voter turnout. Organizers with the group knock on doors and put billboards up. On Thursday, they took yet another approach to reach voters.

The 2020 U.S. Census counted roughly 60,000 American Indians and Alaskan Natives living in Wisconsin. And in a state where elections are often decided by a small margin of votes, every vote counts.

The latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump 51 to 48 percent among registered voters.

Mark Denning speaks to Native Americans during a Milwaukee Brewers tailgate on Aug. 5, 2024. Evan Casey/WPR

Joseph DeCora, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, now lives in Milwaukee. He said it’s exciting that Indigenous voters could help swing the national election this fall.

“If we all get out there and vote as one, we could make a change,” DeCora said. “Our voices, our opinions, stuff that we’re voting for, the person that we’re voting for — it all will be heard.”

A report from Native Vote found roughly 1.2 million American Indians or Alaskan Natives who can vote are not registered.

DeCora, who was at the event with his family, said he votes in every election. This election season, he has signed up to receive text alerts. He said he sometimes hears from friends and family who don’t know how to register to vote or where to do so.

“I feel like voting is a way to get your voice out there and heard, without your voice actually being heard,” DeCora said. “That’s why I vote.”

Organizers said issues that are important to tribal members include the opioid epidemic, cost of living, tribal sovereignty, climate change, clean water and reproductive rights.

For Denning, he said he’s voting for his daughter Isabel, who died by suicide. He said access to mental health care is one of the most important issues he’s paying attention to this election.

“To me, when someone wants mental health(care)… whoever it is, that wants help, needs and deserves help,” Denning said.

“If politicians stand in the way of mental health and physical health of our people, all of us, we as voters need to stand and say, ‘That’s not right,’” he added.

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Wisconsin

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Published

7 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Located in scenic Door County, Wisconsin, the town of Sister Bay is a waterfront town directly on Green Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts head to Sister Bay for its access to hiking trails, nature preserves, and water pursuits such as boating, fishing, and ice-skating during winter. The town hosts a number of seasonal festivals including a film fest, marina fest, outdoor concert series, and the Door County Festival of Fine Arts. The annual Roofing of the Goats Parade is a popular event tied to Al Johnson’s, a local restaurant known for goats that graze on its rooftop during summer months.

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Wisconsin

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

With the action-packed Wisconsin high school boys basketball regular season completed and March Madness beginning, it’s time to take a look at some of the outstanding players and cast your vote for the best.

We began by looking at the most prolific individual scoring threats, talented 3-point shooters,strong rebounders, and top free-throw shooters so now it’s time to take a look at the high-caliber guards from throughout the state.

There are hundreds of high-caliber boys basketball players in Wisconsin, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Voting remains open until March 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all nominees are leaders from the 2025-26 season as compiled by Bound.com, and WIAA; the poll is below the list of athletes)

Castillo is averaging 25.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for Greendale (18-6 overall record).

Collien is averaging 15 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Oakfield (21-3 overall record).

Edwards is averaging 14.1 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for D.C. Everest (21-3 overall record).

Gray Jr. was averaging 24.3 points per game with 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals prior for West Allis Central (22-2 overall record).

Hereford is averaging 36.4 points per game with 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals for Beloit Memorial (22-2 overall record).

Johnson is averaging 27.3 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals for Milwaukee Juneau (22-1 overall record).

Jones is averaging 23.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for Germantown (15-9 overall record).

Kern is averaging 16 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for New Berlin West (21-3 overall record).

Kilgore is averaging 14.6 points per game with 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals for Kewaunee (24-0 overall record).

Kohnen is averaging 16.3 points per game with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals for Slinger (20-4 overall record).

Knueppel is averaging 17.4 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals for Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0 overall record).

Loose is averaging 18.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals for Port Washington (23-1 overall).

Manchester is averaging 35.8 points per game for Mount Horeb (19-5 overall record).

Platz is averaging 19.5 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for Brookfield East (19-5 overall record).

Prochnow is averaging 21.3 points per game with 11.1 assists, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 steals for Reedsville (21-3 overall record).

Resch is averaging 21.3 points per game with 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals for Arrowhead (18-6 overall record).

Schultz is averaging 27.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals for Plymouth (17-7 overall record).

Schwalbach is averaging 15 points per game with 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Kaukauna (21-3 overall).

Sweeney is averaging 15.5 points per game for Appleton North (20-4 overall record).

Vandenberg is averaging 13 points per game with 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds for Freedom (23-1 overall).

About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

— Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com

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