Access to outdoor recreation is one of the finest features contributing to the high quality of life in the upper midwest. Across Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, hunting and fishing are favorite activities among millions of residents and visitors. It is both reasonable and predictable that the citizens of this region will raise strong questions when changes are proposed in how we will collectively use fish and wildlife resources. It is essential that the public be well-informed about those resources and their uses in order to protect and sustain them for future generations.
This Web site was developed to provide detailed information about the fish and wildlife management issues in the recent litigation between the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians and the State of Minnesota. We investigate key aspects of the issues, including the history of the conflict, relevant treaties, government policies and court decisions. We provide information on the impact of treaty hunting and fishing as a key to understanding resource conservation questions. We also identify a number of groups who have publicly expressed interest in the issues, or have joined the lawsuit as parties to the litigation.
While it is often easy to understand the perspective of someone in one's own culture, it is more difficult to understand the perspective of another culture. One of the objectives of this site is to assist non-Indian readers in understanding the perspectives of indigenous Americans. Being non-Indian ourselves, we have chosen to provide that information which has been most useful to us in understanding these issues. Please link to this location for details of the creation of this site, research methods, and sources of information.
This site is a cooperative effort between the University of Minnesota Extension Service and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Contents
- Conflict Background
Summarizes the history of the conflict.- Historical Context
Provides a History of "Indian Policy" including;a Historical Overview of Treaties and Decisions, an explanation of Treaty Rights and a reproduction of the text of the Treaties relevant to Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Viewpoints
Outlines the various interest groups involved in the conflict. Interest groups included in this site are:
- Elements of the Conflict
Other contributing variables are discussed that influence or contribute to the conflict. These include:
Sovereignty Cultural Differences Negotiation/Litigation
Management Models Harvest Facts Role of the Federal Government
- Helpful Links
These links will allow you to look further into the issue.
- Links internal to the University of Minnesota site:
- Links external to the University of Minnesota site
(Home) (Historical Context) (Conflict Background) (Viewpoints) (Other Elements)
Please link to this address for detailed acknowledgements and description of research methods. Most recent update: 1/14/2000
Site debut (classroom access only) January, 1997Address written correspondence about this Web site to: Prof. George R. Spangler University of Minnesota Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 200 Hodson Hall St. Paul, MN 55108
Questions about the site may also be directed by E-mail to Christine Penney and to Professor Spangler at the e-mail links below.Date created: Summer, 1996 Last modified: January 14, 2000 Copyright © 1997, George R. Spangler Maintained by: Christine A. Penney, George R. SpanglerChristine A. Penney George R. Spangler
Partial funding for this site is provided by the Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA), through the Minnesota Extension Service and the Cooperative States Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (CSREES-USDA).
Official disclaimer: "The views and opinions expressed at this site are strictly those of the page authors and are not to be construed as policy positions of the University of Minnesota."
