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
From the ChairmanÕs deer stand ...
Sitting up in my deer stand, swaying in the wind and watching for that one not-too-smart deer to appear, I had a lot of time to ponder the world as it is today. I try to make sense of what is going on. Every politician should spend some time in a deer stand, boat, or fish house. Maybe a little more common sense would result.
This year I didnÕt have that pesky, chattering red squirrel barking in my ear. Word around the forest is that during grouse season he may have chewed on some Chinese toys, as he apparently died of lead poisoning.
Deer camp is a good chance to renew friendships and catch up on the up-to-date news from the year gone by. And that was accomplished!
On August 13, 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Indian Claims Commission Act. This Act created a special judicial body before which any American Indian tribe could file claims of all kinds against the United States, going back to the American Revolution.
Both the Federal government and Indian tribes welcomed the commission, as now all claims would have a timely resolution with their day in court. Overall, the Commission awarded damages in 341 cases, or over 62% of the claims adjudicated. The ICCA awarded about $1.3 billion (more than twice that in todayÕs dollars) during its 32-year life.
Now I pondered, why is it that we are still paying large settlements when everyone having their day in court was supposed to be the end to all claims? As tribes accepted payments, they had to sign statements recognizing that under the ICCA these would be their final claims.
Period.
My request of the readers of this column is for you to take a little time to contact in writing, your elected Senators, Representatives, Congress, and other Federal and State officials. Ask them to research the ICCA and how it applies to tribal claims today. Ask what they intend to do about it. Please share your letter and any replies you get with PERM.
(ItÕs going to be a long election season and maybe their responses will help you decide who will get your vote.) Thanks in advance.
A lot of lake and pothole news in the paper lately. Could help the ducks! My little pond had two nesting ducks this year, but no one got to hunt them, as a resident hawk eventually devoured all the little ones. Maybe we ought to think about predator control as part of the big picture.
While driving up North, please take time to stop into the local Mille Lacs Lake businesses and spend a buck or two. Our friends that make a living around the lake were dealt a serious blow when the slot limit was pulled out from under them. Great time of year for drive and a meal, or some Christmas shopping.
Hope you remembered Veterans Day and all who served from the Revolutionary War to present. With out Vets, the USA would not be what it is today. Every day should be Veterans Day, since every day there is some freedom we enjoy because someone stepped up to the plate. For centuries, they have fought for equal, fair treatment and the American way of life. Remember, anytime we give someone special rights, we are taking away the rights of others.