The Wisconsin Department of Transportation unveiled the first multilingual state road sign Wednesday at the Red Cliff Reservation.

The sign blends Wisconsin road sign design with the Ojibwe language.

It is the first of its kind in Wisconsin, and WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said they drew inspiration from similar signs in Minnesota.

Thompson said they've spent a long time on the project and worked hand in hand to make it happen.

"It's really been a partnership with the tribes with us at the state level at the DOT and with our federal highway partners, so we're really excited to be able to participate in this in person," he said.

Christopher Boyd, Tribal Chair of the Red Cliff Band said the sign brings identity to their nation.

"It brings us back to our place, our homeland here where we reside here within our community. It identifies to the visitors to our community that they are entering into a sovereign territory," he said.

Boyd said it's a big stride for the tribal government to work hand in hand with the state government.

"What we appreciate is the fact that the state is welcoming government to government consultation on matters such as this. We operate and govern as a sovereign nation."

WisDOT hopes to install similar signs in each of Wisconsin's 11 tribal nations.

They say the cost is minimal since they'll install the signs as part of regular road maintenance.

To see the original report and read related stories, follow this link to the KBJR-TV website. https://kbjr6.com/2021/11/03/wisdot-red-cliff-reservation-unveil-new-ojibwe-road-sign-project/