Detroit Free Press: ” QUESTION: Why didn’t the state fight the Indian treaty rights in court? ANSWER: That’s the route Michigan took in the 1970s Great Lakes case and that Wisconsin and Minnesota elected to follow in the 1990s with even more disastrous results for sportsmen. Those other states got a series of rulings that not only upheld the treaty rights of the Indians but gave them 50% of the walleye quotas in inland lakes, allowed them to use gill nets and created inland commercial walleye fisheries.” Exactly!
Escanaba Daily Press: “The federal courts have consistently held that the passage of time changes nothing from when the original treaties were signed. It could be considered as similar to how our Constitution has held up without other interpretation, in providing our rights as citizens.”
Alpena News: “Avoiding litigation over the issue was a huge accomplishment – saving both sides a lot of money and needless aggravation. Tribal members seem content that their basic cultural identity and rights both were recognized and reserved, while conservationists seem satisfied safeguards are in place to scientifically manage our natural resources for generations into the future.”
Turtle Talk 