Harvey and Morningstar GoodSky were cited for exercising their treaty rights in an off-reservation area of Minnesota. Photo from 1855 Treaty Authority
A young couple from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians were cited for exercising their treaty rights in Minnesota. Harvey GoodSky and Morningstar GoodSky are accused of harvesting wild rice from Hole In The Day Lake on August 28 without a permit from the Department of National Resources. But the young couple and their supporters contend their off-reservation rights are protected by an 1855 treaty. "We don't need permission from DNR to exercise our treaty rights to gather food," Steve "Punky" Clark, the vice chair of the 1855 Treaty Authority, said in a press release. "The Creator gave us the gift of manoomin long ago," he added, using the Ojibwe word for rice. Tribal members believe the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Minnesota v. Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians already confirmed their off-reservation rights. They plan to meet with federal officials today and might stage more demonstrations in hopes of forcing some sort of resolution. Get the Story:
More Indian rights protests possible, Treaty Authority says (The Brainerd Dispatch 9/1)
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Tribal members in Minnesota assert treaty right
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