"I have been excited to read recent media accounts of the off-reservation treaty rights that Leech Lake and White Earth Ojibwe tribal members are working to reassert. This is a tremendous, historic moment when complex historical relations can be honestly addressed and residents of our area can contribute to racial reconciliation.

There has been much work by other Ojibwe bands in northern Wisconsin and elsewhere in Minnesota to have such treaty rights rerecognized so that this valuable component of Ojibwe cultural tradition and sovereignty can be exercised by generations to come. Now the time has come for White Earth and Leech Lake bands to seek renewed recognition for these rights. And that is the opportunity for our community.

When similar hunting and fishing rights were formally recognized by courts in Wisconsin for the Ojibwe tribes there, non-Indian groups used violence, harassment, mob protests and racist slogans to try to intimidate Ojibwe fishermen and women from exercising their rights. Those ugly protests took root in misinformation and prejudice.

Now non-Indian Minnesotans have the opportunity to recognize that the obligation we have to respect Ojibwe treaty rights is as relevant today as it was the day the treaties were written."

Get the Story:
Emily Lindell: We're obliged to recognize treaty rights (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 5/15)

Related Stories:
Ojibwe fishermen stage protest to support 1855 treaty rights (5/14)
Leech Lake fishermen plan treaty rights protest this Friday (5/11)
MPR: Great Anishinaabe Fish-Off still planned in Minnesota (05/04)
Ojibwe tribes request comanagement of treaty resources (4/27)
Column: White Earth leader prefers diplomacy on treaty (4/26)
Leech Lake Band won't take part in treaty rights protest (4/23)
Chippewa Tribe of Minnesota plans fishing rights protest (4/21)