First, let me thank my friends and extended family in PERM for the words of condolence and encouragement after my healthy 16-month-old granddaughter passed away at Christmas time. Her death is classified as SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.) It has turned my life upside down. There is more info at www.laurentrymucha.com.
Our fishing opener came with mixed emotions. FOX Channel 9 did a special on tribal gillnetting and the effects it has on area businesses. Give Channel 9 credit for coverage of an event that usually is untouchable. The subsistence gillnetting takes place in the shallows while the spawn is in full swing. Minnesota is the only state that allows netting during the spawn. With large tents set up for processing and a parking lot full of SUV's and big Pick-ups, a news crew filmed all aspects. Nets being set on the North shoreÑwhen forecasts were predicting a wind shiftÑcompounded the devastation of spawning fish. The wind shifted and a large number of nets were lost. Three are still missing. These lost nets keep killing fish.
My fishing opener: two guys, one boat, all day, and one keeper. We had a good time (we got wet.)
Since tribal leaders holler "racism" every time someone mentions something about this right or privilege, why doesnÕt our State government pass laws mandating tribal members be recognized as full citizens of the State of Minnesota? I don't know why the leaders of both major political parties haven't come forth with bi-partisan legislation to accept tribal members as State citizens living under one set of laws. Have I stumbled into something that has been overlooked for 150 years?
Not only do treaties and acts of Congress address this, they demand it. It's just too bad politicians and bureaucrats can't recognize tribal members as citizens. I would support lawmakers who come forward. Ask yours! Ask them to pass an equal rights amendment with NO SPECIAL RIGHTS!
PERM notified people of the Channel 9 News coverage that we had email addresses for. From time to time, we can send out a quick message to those who wish to share their email with us. (Just send an email to savemn@perm.org with "subscribe" in the subject line.)
Have a great summer of fishing or relaxing.
Doug