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TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) said statements by his commissioner for natural resources aren't reflective of state policy towards treaty rights.

Pawlenty said he won't remove Gene Merriam as head of the Department of Natural Resources. Merriam spoke to an anti-treaty rights group, Proper Economic Resource Management, and likened treaty rights to a "system of apartheid."

Get the Story:
Tribes want DNR chief out; Merriam apologizes (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 5/13)
DNR commissioner apologizes to state's American Indians (The Duluth News Tribune 5/13)
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES: Tribal leaders protest DNR commissioner's remarks (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 5/13)
Tribal Leaders Ask DNR Commissioner To Resign Over Comments (AP 5/12)

More on Merriam:
DNR head speaks at PERM event (The Mille Lacs Messenger 4/30)

Relevant Links:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html