The tribes of Wisconsin have an ancient history in the region, stretching back hundreds of thousands of years. In fact, tribes in the state are among the oldest Copper Cultures in the world, with some copper objects dating back to the end of the last Ice Age, representing the tribes' deep relationship and cultural connection to their lands. A series of 19th century treaties between the tribes and the U.S. Government established the 11 Tribal Reservations as they are known and recognized today. It is the largest concentration of tribes in one state east of the Mississippi River.

Today, Native Wisconsin is made up of 11 sovereign tribal nations, including: Bad River Ojibwe, Forest County Potawatomi, Ho Chunk, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Menominee Nation, Mole Lake Sokaogan Chippewa, Oneida Nation, Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe, St. Croix Band of Ojibwe, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. Each tribe is a sovereign nation with a governing body and its own Constitution.

Their reservation lands occupy over one half million acres of prime forest and marsh lands, lakes and rivers. Each tribe has its own language, art forms, traditional practices and oral histories. Diverse yet alike in many ways, each of the reservations feature pristine lakes, rivers and streams, towering forests and ancient wild rice beds-ecosystems teeming with an abundance of wildlife. Their natural resources have been protected by the same treaties that established the reservations and are still in force today.

Tribal art, traditions and culture are significant parts of Native communities in the state, making Wisconsin a unique destination to explore the history of Native American people in the Great Lakes Region.