Michael Leppert
By Michael Leppert
The Indiana Citizen
January 29, 2025
The word Indiana is literally defined as “the land of the Indians.” When Congress divided the Northwest Territory in 1800, it named the western section the Indiana Territory, and when it became a state in 1816, Indiana became its name.
In 2025, new Governor Mike Braun, in his first budget proposal in office, proposes to end funding for the Native American Indian Affairs Commission. The cut comes as part of his 15% cut to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. That may sound like a lot of money, but it isn’t. The state is spending less than $3 million a year on the ICRC in the current budget.
A new governor’s first budget proposal is uniquely important. Voters’ eyes often glaze over when this part of governing comes up, and I get that. But budgets are where we as a people proclaim what matters to us. Though the legislature must enact the two-year spending plan, governors generally propose them at the beginning of the law-writing session. The first budget proposal from a newly elected governor is a marker. It defines his priorities to us, and in this case, aptly defines his character as well.
On January 6, 2025, outgoing Governor Eric Holcomb signed a government-to-government agreement with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Holcomb said in a news release, “I’ve sincerely enjoyed learning about Pokagon history and culture as well as getting to know and work with Chairman (Matthew) Wesaw.” The state has a relationship with the federally recognized tribe, and our now former governor treated it with respect.
Times have apparently changed.
In the same budget proposal, Braun has eliminated funding for the Indiana Commission for Women. This organization was created by law in 1996 and has been staffed by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development since. It’s charge? To provide an “assessment of the needs of Indiana women and their families and promotion of the full participation of Indiana women in all aspects of society…” A list of specifics follows that broad charge that covers, well, everything.
But seriously, that was thirty years ago, right? No need to pretend the plight of women is unresolved here, right?
Also gone from the new budget proposal, a $10 million expenditure dedicated to Martin University, and the College Success Program. The college is Indiana’s only predominantly Black institution and the program that assists minority and first-generation college students, according to the Indianapolis Star. Joseph Perkins, chair of Martin’s Board of Trustees, made clear in a statement that while the funding was a helpful resource, it was not “the foundation” of the school’s operations.
It’s a theme. It’s a marker. And it’s loud and clear: now is not the time to be the other around here.
But what is “the other?” In the context of new leadership in the Trump White House, the term seems to mean everyone except white, male, Christians. What is happening in red states like Indiana, is the following of that leadership in every possible way.
These cuts by Braun won’t change the lives of any white, male, Christian. Except for those comforted by real or perceived harm to the other. It’s a foundational change in governing philosophy that is still taking shape.
Twenty-three years ago, I left my leadership position in state government. Not a single colleague then needed to fight the urge to implement policies that treated people differently in any way. The reason? It never even crossed our minds. Our individual missions were defined by public law and that was that.
Braun isn’t managing money with these cuts, he’s managing messaging. These moves are proclamations of what he supports, or in these cases, what he opposes. And the fallout is not simple addition and subtraction in this one document. The ongoing cost of announcing that the Native American, Black and women populations are now officially “the others” in Indiana will be something less than free.
The loss will enhance the already suffering attractiveness of the land of Indians to all of the others not already here. The loss will discourage Hoosiers already here from seeing this is as a place worthy of their lives, their families and their futures.
Think of all the reasons why anyone would live anywhere. When I have these conversations with people, it is common for the discussion to arrive at the definition of “home.” Few life choices are as foundational as the one of where to live it.
The Potawatomi Indians were first othered here a long time ago. Coupled with slavery, these acts of othering are clearly our nation’s deepest, darkest, original sins.
As we have slowly begun to outgrow the worst of us these past two or three centuries, we should shine light on all attempts to take us back.
Michael Leppert is an author, educator and a communication consultant in Indianapolis. He writes about government, politics and culture at MichaelLeppert.com.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Indiana Citizen or any other affiliated organization.