For commentary on the inland rights settlement on Interlochen Public Radio, see here.
IPR interviewed several tribal people, including Frank Ettawageshik, chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and Hank Bailey, a Grand Traverse Band elder.
from Nick Reo–
The MDNR has the proposed Consent Decree and well-written powerpoint presentation outlining the basic details of the agreement posted on their website (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_44983—,00.html). The 5 1836 signatory tribes’ and CORA haven’t yet posted much information on their websites, but I am sure they will get some materials regarding the agreement out to the public soon. I will be posting materials, as I find them, on my website as well (http://web1.msue.msu.edu/native/). Thanks for creating this e-space for discussion and networking on topics related to the Consent Decree- much needed.
We’ve linked to Nick’s outstanding page.
Thanks, Nick!
Here’s the text of the 144 page “draft” consent decree. It’s in draft form until the judge signs off, but this is it.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Proposed_Consent_Decreepages1-144_209977_7.pdf
Michigan DNR has it chopped up, too, if you need a smaller size.
One of my relatives on Torch River engaging in inland treaty fishing. They say he was well over 100 years old here.
Prof. Wenona Singel has organized a panel of tribal court judges for this year’s Michigan Indian Day at MSU’s Kellogg Center (happening today!). The panel is titled, “Developing Tribal Courts in Harmony with Culture & Tradition.”
The panel includes the female judges sitting on the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians judiciary. The panel includes Chief Judge JoAnne Gasco (GTB), Associate Judge Jenny Kronk (SSM), and Appellate Justice Rita Shephard (LTBB). Prof. Singel is also the chief appellate justice and an LTBB member and she will be moderating this panel.
Lead counsel for the Grand Traverse Band in the inland rights matter, Bill Rastetter, drafted this nice timeline of GTB’s involvement in treaty rights.
The big news in Michigan Indian Country is the settlement after three years of negotiation of the biggest question left open in the United States v. Michigan litigation — inland hunting and fishing rights.
Links to news reports/press releases are here and here. The Sault Tribe is holding a referendum. One interesting question is whether the other four tribes (Grand Traverse Band, Bay Mills, Little Traverse, and Little River) will be bound by the consent decree if Sault Tribe votes to reject it. Hopefully, that question won’t come up.
Turtle Talk 
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