Mille Lacs Netting- dumping waste on news

I agree buddy, time to push for real enforcement!!! Our DNR should make this a priority. Hopefully a little more press like this will help our cause.

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Wish it was that easy

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This kind of extremist post is uncalled for. It likely violates ground rules for posting here. Or it should. Nothing in that column encourages such thinking.

Farmboy, since you did some reading, maybe you can comment on my thoughts.

First, I see a lot of people belly aching about equal rights. Given the indians are part of a sovereign nation (much like France) that argument will not stand a chance in court. Also, the treaty would have to be nullified.

If we are so focused on equal rights, we should be marching in gayy parades, demanding the same medical coverage as seniors, the same social security benefits now and removing any programs like affirmative action or education grants based on race. We should all pay the same amount in taxes, which if you earn less than $100k a year, will really, really not like your bill. Anyway…little off topic.

So if the Treaty is not going away and the tribes are part of a different nation with their own laws, how can things change? Money?

From what I’ve read, there is money that flows into these tribes from tax dollars, correct? Programs for this and that. Many programs are subject to budget approvals. If there are discretionary programs being funded to the tribes who are doing the netting, then it’s time to talk with them just like the U.S. does with every other foreign country.

If another country is engaging in politics or actions we strongly disagree with, sanctions are imposed, funding cut, etc. There should be enough discretionary program funding where the reduction will outweigh the benefit of netting.

I also want to throw in that just because I may be against mass harvesting at spawn, I’m not against other means of angling for the tribes.

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Farmboy, since you did some reading, maybe you can comment on my thoughts.

First, I see a lot of people belly aching about equal rights. Given the indians are part of a sovereign nation (much like France) that argument will not stand a chance in court. Also, the treaty would have to be nullified.

If we are so focused on equal rights, we should be marching in gayy parades, demanding the same medical coverage as seniors, the same social security benefits now and removing any programs like affirmative action or education grants based on race. We should all pay the same amount in taxes, which if you earn less than $100k a year, will really, really not like your bill. Anyway…little off topic.

So if the Treaty is not going away and the tribes are part of a different nation with their own laws, how can things change? Money?

From what I’ve read, there is money that flows into these tribes from tax dollars, correct? Programs for this and that. Many programs are subject to budget approvals. If there are discretionary programs being funded to the tribes who are doing the netting, then it’s time to talk with them just like the U.S. does with every other foreign country.

If another country is engaging in politics or actions we strongly disagree with, sanctions are imposed, funding cut, etc. There should be enough discretionary program funding where the reduction will outweigh the benefit of netting.

I also want to throw in that just because I may be against mass harvesting at spawn, I’m not against other means of angling for the tribes.

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The money flows in from the Bureau Of Indian Affairs in Washington. The BIA. Millions used for sewers, hospitals, roads, housing and other amenities, same as what the United States people have. The BIA is funded by the tax payers of the United States, all 50 states.

I don’t know that we need to treat them anymore like any other country then we already do. Targeting the politicians on a Federal level will REALLY, REALLY be like peeing against the wind. Geez, they can’t do simple addition and subtraction when it comes to budgets, I certainly don’t want anymore of them fools around.

State run Casino’s and open gambling will most certainly get their attention. In the past it was impossible because the do gooders & PC crowd believe we were picking on the Bands for racial reasons. Now that we can sell the idea that it’s for monetary and not racial reasons we would have a chance. The do gooders & PC crowd are only do gooders when somebody else’s money is involved. Get into their pockets and they will fight like a rabid dog.

The time to strike is now, while the country is in a historic nose dive. We can’t afford to wait until a recovery starts.

If you want to send something to St. Paul demand open gambling.

I would not support any casino/racino plans for a few reasons. First, it isn’t something I personally feel is something our government’s function is. Second, I don’t gamble or suppport this type of entertainment. And my main reason not to support a casino is, there is only so much discretionary income to spend. Spending the money at the casino means less for the resort, bait shop, gift shop, golf course, hardware store, go-cart park, etc..
On a personal level, I was in a business where revenue dropped due to a casino opening. Our local seniors were spending their Sundays at the indian casino instead of locally at businesses like ours.

Having said that… what is our gov’t’s function, when it comes to natural resources ?? Should they have our best interests, the natives best interest or everybodys best interest in mind when addressing it ??? Let’s say for example…. I fish Mille Lacs and catch a few northerns… I don’t care for northerns, wasn’t even fishing for them…. I then proceed to throw them in the bottom of the boat, haul them to shore… throw them in my truck, cruise past a Motel.. pull into their parking lot, and throw the northerns in their dumpster…. Would you expect the gov’t to … A. Launch an investigation, to try to find out who did this (remember, I did) B. Not even worry about it… their only northerns…. C. Turn it over to another agency, that historically does nothing…..and do no follow-up, to be sure it was handled properly. I can guarantee you, if it was me who did this… the only option considered would be A. When others do it, B & C are chosen… why is this ??? Should there not be consequences for our actions ??? I don’t care what color you are, what religion, your beliefs….. we are all human and should be held to a minimum set of standards….Done. I also know there are natives who agree with my thinking…. I await responses…..

big G

There’s the branch of gov’t that makes laws and the branch that enforces the laws. If a law was violated I would expect law enforcement to perform its duties.

Now that’s a simple answer and doesn’t take into account the resources these departments have and their priorities. I once called the DNR because people were destroying the wetlands with their four wheelers around a lake. Sure, it was illegal, but the enforcement officer for that area was going to be busy with one of the bird season openeners for the next few weeks. No follow up either. Unfortunately, many areas are spread very thin with field agents.

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First, I see a lot of people belly aching about equal rights. Given the indians are part of a sovereign nation (much like France) that argument will not stand a chance in court. Also, the treaty would have to be nullified.

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The whole sovereign thing makes this very difficult. I think we can safely say the treaty is here to stay for an extended period of time. This is why the tribes can have casinos, gambling is legal in these “nations”. Our government cannot legislate there, and has no say in anything (law enforcement or otherwise).

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If we are so focused on equal rights

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This has nothing to do with equal rights.

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“Article 2. In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agrees to make to the Chippewa nation, annually, for the term of twenty years, from the date of the ratification of this treaty, the following payments….

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The totals equal $39,000 in 1837, a large sum at the time. Why we continue to pay these nations is beyond me. Reparations for past inequities….I don’t know

The entire document is a couple pages long. The area that we are really discussing here states;

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Article 5. The privilege of hunting, fishing, and gathering the wild rice, upon the lands, the rivers and the lakes included in the territory ceded, is guaranteed to the Indians, during the pleasure of the President of the United States.

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These lines are where all this started, and what the supreme court has upheld numerous times. Not worth fighting anymore IMHO.

I will say again, we need to give up on fighting the treaty as it is a losing battle and concentrate our efforts on enforcement of the existing laws. These tribes can harvest game, whether you feel this is right or wrong, they can. Monitor the activities, stop splitting sportsmen from tribes, and we can all move on.

I am out of these discussions from here on. I responded because I think people need to know what is being address, and I feel most guys don’t know, or take the time to research it.

Rehasing the same stuff on fishing related sites every spring is getting old. I am moving on

I will agree gets old, year after year.

That said I’m sure it got old fighting prohibition in the day also.

Casino’s for all Minnesotans. (If you don’t gamble just don’t go)

I think it rather funny, but not in the sense… that posts such as these (pretty much 100% about fishing and natural resources) are treated as if they are a sore spot on IDO….. isn’t that what this site is all about ??? Sure it’s nice to be able to ask a question about your wiring or plumbing…. but what is it really about ??? Talking about people netting 110,000 lbs of Walleye during spawn, is getting old ???? Hello…….???

big G

I think it effects the people that have this going on it their own back yard more than folks outside of the area.

The way I look at it is this could be happening in my area someday or the folks that I can help might be called upon to help me someday. Maybe not tribal netting, but changing something that isn’t right with the fish and game laws.

We are all in this together…comes to mind.

BigG your posts are right on as are alot of others who have posted, Ive read all the posts good discussion.

Thank you

Ill add one thing I guide on Leech Lake and live in walker.

I have a few Native friends who net Leech. I talked to my native friend last night at the Casino. I asked him when can you net and how long. He stated they have a netting season after the spawn and it starts in May. Ive been invited to see the fish they pulled from their nets lots of big fish 4 or 5 coolers with fish over the slot and smaller fish but they were all spawned out. At least they have a concern for the fish on leech and let them spawn before netting leech. Each member can net but Ive only seen a few that do and they told me they do sell fish and give many to the family’s and elders. The Mille lacs netting looks like its a rub in the face of certain people, or now were getting even.

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I think it rather funny, but not in the sense… that posts such as these (pretty much 100% about fishing and natural resources) are treated as if they are a sore spot on IDO….. isn’t that what this site is all about ??? Sure it’s nice to be able to ask a question about your wiring or plumbing…. but what is it really about ??? Talking about people netting 110,000 lbs of Walleye during spawn, is getting old ???? Hello…….???

big G

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Big G,

It is not the discussion of the resource, but the same spouting off by people who are underinformed, racist, or plain stupid hate speech that gets old. The “I heard from this guy who talked to this one guy once” type stuff. People looking to fan the flames rather then intelligently discuss the situation and the options we are stuck with.

I for one would love to sit down with one of the tribe members, sitting in the boat or raising a couple cold frosty beverages, and discuss both sides of the issue. I would even buy

Indeed!

Thanks Farm and IDO’ers!..

Farm, I totally agree….. 95% of the Tribe members, feel the same as you and I about what happens every spring. I would guess less than 5% of the Mille Lacs Band even partake in the netting aspect. All it takes are a couple bad apples, to ruin the whole basket…. and I for one refuse to condemn a whole Tribe for a couple idiots, among them(they are everywhere across all creeds/race and religion). What I do insist upon though.. is that SOMETHING…ANYTHING… be done to correct plain wasteful, illegal, selfish acts, which not only fuel the hatred that some ignorant people have already towards natives, but will eventually cause such division, that no chance of an agreement or reconciliation is possbile. It has been proven countless times, you cannot unite, by division. This is where either our Government agencies, need to buck up and do something (not turning over to the ones that have proved, they will do nothing) or God forbid…. some hick will take matters into his own hands. I will say, I know the difference between a Native Tradition and blatant in your face glutton….anybody with common sense should be able too….

big G

there are always sayers, then there are doers. I’ll have to do some digg’n, but at this time last year I had e-mailed several GLWIC (or what ever the acronym) members asking a few questions on their harvest quota. I asked if the pounds of fish which suffered “netting mortality”, or those fish which didn’t just “bounce off” the gill net, actually tore themselves free, causing a tear in their gill plates…then eventual infection, were included in their safe harvest limit. Only one replied that there as no such research done to substantiate netting mortality. I said we know there is a certain pecentage of weight deducted from the hook and line quota based on hooking mortality as a fixed percentage based on fishing hours. I asked why can’t floaters with obvious gill plate damage be included as netting mortality? The answer was deafening…no answer! I also asked about the fines imposed to those invividuals which lost their nets and there was no attempt to retreive said nets. Again, no answer! I wonder how long I’d have my job if I ignored those who paid my salary! I know my voice is pretty small, if there were a clear answer I’d love to see a political action organization to donate time and money. I like the legalizing public or state run casinos idea. I bit of competition does no harm, if you are against gambling, don’t go. If you can eat a couple times your body weight at the buffet, go the the tribes buffet and help them lose some money!

This is a pretty well written article, I hope the Mille Lacs Tribe is PO’d at this. As Farmboy said the WI tribes have no respect for the area, they are the bad apple out of the bunch, The article does state the Mille Lacs Band has a place to dispose of entrails, do they allow other bands access to this site? trib article