http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=11&SubSectionID=11&ArticleID=14621 Today will be a day for the Ojibwe to remember |
To the Editor: Today, Jan. 27, 2012, the Gray Wolf will be officially delisted as an endangered species for the Great Lakes area including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The wolf plays a cultural, historical, spiritual, and traditional role to many Native American tribes throughout the United States. One of the largest bands of Native Americans located in the Great Lakes area is the Chippewa or Ojibwe. I feel the delisting will be detrimental to my tribe, along with the Gray Wolf itself. According to Ojibwe oral history and legends, after Earth's creation it was man's first responsibility to follow the Creator's instructions, walk the earth and name all living things. All plants, animals, rivers, and so on needed a name. The Creator sent the wolf to keep man company while on his journey. During their travels they grew close to each other and treated one another as brothers. After they named all living things, man and wolf were forbidden to keep their friendship and were ordered to go their separate ways. It is legend that the destiny of the wolf will be the destiny of the Ojibwe people. What side does the social media in American culture play on people's beliefs towards the wolf? As children we grew up reading about "the big bad wolf" in a few different stories including "The Three Little Pigs" and "Little Red Riding Hood." Today there are movies such as Barnyard Animals that portrays the wolf as an enemy to farmers and farm animals. The wolf is shown as a terrifying animal, with red eyes, sharp claws and teeth, destroying the farm and family that lives there. The media can have a tremendous effect on the opinions of readers and viewers. Wisconsin newspaper articles and several recent online articles are supporting the federal de-listing and describe the probable guidelines of hunting rights on wolves. The wolf has been protected federally on the endangered species list for many years. This will be the second time the Gray Wolf was delisted in Wisconsin the previous attempt was in 2004. They were put on an emergency re-listing after a short 19-month trial due to the adverse effects land owners and hunters had on the wolf population. How many times do we need to make the same mistake before we learn from the wrong decision and move forward? Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are lucky to have a total wolf population of two to three hundred within each of their countries. As for North America, the United States has a total of about 9,000 in comparison with Canada having more than 60,000. What does this say about the Gray Wolf and its natural habitat? The Gray Wolf is beginning to thrive in the Great Lakes area. Minnesota has a population of about 3,000, Wisconsin has fewer than 800, and Michigan has fewer than 700 total. The numbers are irrefutable. The Gray Wolf is no longer considered an endangered species in the Great Lakes area since the recovery goals have been met (over 4,000 total). We need to continue to see the wolf as an endangered species as long as it continues to struggle to survive. A wolf's main food source is deer, rabbit, beaver, and other animals. When a pack is forced to hunt a farmer's livestock, it speaks great volumes to what the real issue is. The animal is struggling to survive in its natural habitat and certain people have a low tolerance level toward damages it causes. According to the current policies held by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, problem wolves are to be handled with a simple phone call by the land or pet owner. Reimbursements are paid for any damages caused by a problem wolf, advice is given to discourage the animal, and lethal action can be taken by the USFWS, on the rare occasion that the same wolf repeatedly caused damages. Why is it necessary to give hunters the power to control the wolf species? It is not our right or a privilege to be killing such a timid and endangered animal. There hasn't been a single report of a wolf attacking or killing a human within the last century. Hunting the animal for pure sport and collecting it as a big game trophy is not a goal of the Ojibwe people, nor will it ever be. If we cannot use every material from an animal that is hunted we do not kill it. Wasting meat or food is forbidden, we use furs for ceremonies, to trade or keep warm, the bones of an animal are used as tools or worn as regalia. A traditional medicine man would also use the blood, teeth, etc., for healing purposes. Watching the slaughter of this majestic animal will have a negative spiritual effect on our culture and future generations to come. Though the population of the animal will be monitored for the next five years, hunting privileges are also being awarded throughout the Great Lakes area. How will the federal government monitor the animal and ensure it remains at "sustainable levels" if their livelihood is being threatened before the animal is even delisted? Today, Jan. 27, 2012, will be a day to remember for the Ojibwe, tears of sadness will rain down from my ancestors as I fear the Gray Wolf will perish. Amanda McCoy Lac du Flambeau |
Monday, July 2, 2012
(from The Lakeland Times)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE DONATES $42,000 IN SEPTEMBER
ONAMIA, Minn. – The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe donated $42,384 in monetary and in-kind contributions to a variety of nonprofit organizations and other charitable causes in September.
Each month the Band and its businesses make contributions to community organizations including schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, food shelves, and others in Minnesota and nationwide.
In September the Mille Lacs Band donated $1,000 to Brainerd’s Crisis Line and Referral Service to help fund a 24-hour lifeline volunteer program to serve Crow Wing County. The Band also contributed $1,000 to Webb Lake Area First Responders in Spooner, Minnesota, to replace the organization’s defibrillators.
Additionally, the Mille Lacs Band gave $1,000 to Our Place Teen Addictions Recovery Program in Forest Lake to fund programming and support group resources. The Band also donated $800 to the Dakota Wicohan, an organization dedicated to preserving the Dakota language and culture in Morton, Minnesota, to assist with summer camp and after-school activities for native youth.
Other notable contributions include those to Minnesota DARE Inc. for assistance with youth drug prevention, Plymouth’s Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners’ leadership and activity club, Overcomers Outreach Ministries’ recovery center, Moose Lake Area Hockey Association, and the Children’s Hospital Association in Saint Paul.
In September the Band donated to organizations and causes in Aitkin, Anoka, Blue Earth, Carlton, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Freeborn, Hennepin, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lake of the Woods, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, Saint Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, and Wright counties. The Band also donated in Barron, Burnett, Columbia, Eau Claire, and Pierce counties in Wisconsin as well as Floyd County in Iowa.
About the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is a self-governing, federally recognized Indian tribe located in East Central Minnesota. The Band has more than 4,000 enrolled members, for whom it provides a wide variety of programs and services.
Each month the Band and its businesses make contributions to community organizations including schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, food shelves, and others in Minnesota and nationwide.
In September the Mille Lacs Band donated $1,000 to Brainerd’s Crisis Line and Referral Service to help fund a 24-hour lifeline volunteer program to serve Crow Wing County. The Band also contributed $1,000 to Webb Lake Area First Responders in Spooner, Minnesota, to replace the organization’s defibrillators.
Additionally, the Mille Lacs Band gave $1,000 to Our Place Teen Addictions Recovery Program in Forest Lake to fund programming and support group resources. The Band also donated $800 to the Dakota Wicohan, an organization dedicated to preserving the Dakota language and culture in Morton, Minnesota, to assist with summer camp and after-school activities for native youth.
Other notable contributions include those to Minnesota DARE Inc. for assistance with youth drug prevention, Plymouth’s Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners’ leadership and activity club, Overcomers Outreach Ministries’ recovery center, Moose Lake Area Hockey Association, and the Children’s Hospital Association in Saint Paul.
In September the Band donated to organizations and causes in Aitkin, Anoka, Blue Earth, Carlton, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Freeborn, Hennepin, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lake of the Woods, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, Saint Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, and Wright counties. The Band also donated in Barron, Burnett, Columbia, Eau Claire, and Pierce counties in Wisconsin as well as Floyd County in Iowa.
About the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is a self-governing, federally recognized Indian tribe located in East Central Minnesota. The Band has more than 4,000 enrolled members, for whom it provides a wide variety of programs and services.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Update on Wisconsin's Iron Mining by Jordan Weinand KBJR News 1
Updated Oct 3, 2011 at 6:48 PM CDT
NW Wisconsin, (Northlands Newscenter) - Today marks the first day of our week long Community Spotlight on Bayfield, Wisconsin.
A proposed open pit iron ore mine in the Penokee Hills south of Bayfield has many in Northwestern Wisconsin asking for more information
Digital Daily – subscribe to our daily newsletter
Bayfield and surrounding areas could benefit from an increase in jobs, but those who oppose the mine say they're concerned for its impact on the environment.
"The waterways are our way of life; hunting, fishing and gathering."
Many members of the Bad River Tribe in Northwestern Wisconsin feel their way of life is threatened by the proposed iron ore mine. And while they and others opposed, understand the economic benefits to the region, they're concerned about long-term damage to the environment.
Tribal leaders recently met with Governor Scott Walker in Madison.
"We had a good initial meeting and I think part of it was we left the door open for having follow ups in terms of what other details they would want to make sure there are clean and effective mines if there was an additional mine in the future."
Bad River Tribal Chair Mike Wiggins said the meeting with the governor gave them the first opportunity to take their message to a larger audience.
"It was just a wonderful opportunity for the tribe in its scarce and limited resources to have a platform to try and assert a voice. A voice that essentially spoke for clean air and clean water."
But other voices are speaking for the economy. They say the region is depressed and unemployment is high. They say a mine could make a huge economic difference to the entire region.
"It could be an economic game changer, at least for a short period of time, in Iron and Ashland Counties. Huge benefits to the creation of jobs and to restaurants and supportive industries."
But the tribe wants to be sure that economic growth doesn't come at the expense of the environment. During their meeting with Governor Walker they presented ten principles they'd like to guide future development.
"We're going to spend more time, getting more details, and trying to figure out if there's a way to do that, not only for the Bad River, but for other tribal governments all throughout the state who have concerns."
The governor promised that a recently formed bipartisan committee will attempt to meet those principles. But that new Senate Mining Committee doesn't include tribal representation.
"The notion that a bipartisan committee is complete as a one side and a two side come together, I would assert that there's a third side and that is the tribes of Wisconsin."
We should point out its not just the tribes who have concerns about the impact of the proposed mine on the environment. Several other groups have formed as well including "Save the Waters Edge" which held a protest gathering this past weekend in the Penokee Hills.
The week old mining committee will need to meet to discuss current laws. The chair of the Committee, Senator Neal Kedzie, hasn't set up anything yet and is working to organize all seven members.
Jordan Weinand
jweinand@northlandsnewscenter.com
NW Wisconsin, (Northlands Newscenter) - Today marks the first day of our week long Community Spotlight on Bayfield, Wisconsin.
A proposed open pit iron ore mine in the Penokee Hills south of Bayfield has many in Northwestern Wisconsin asking for more information
Digital Daily – subscribe to our daily newsletter
Bayfield and surrounding areas could benefit from an increase in jobs, but those who oppose the mine say they're concerned for its impact on the environment.
"The waterways are our way of life; hunting, fishing and gathering."
Many members of the Bad River Tribe in Northwestern Wisconsin feel their way of life is threatened by the proposed iron ore mine. And while they and others opposed, understand the economic benefits to the region, they're concerned about long-term damage to the environment.
Tribal leaders recently met with Governor Scott Walker in Madison.
"We had a good initial meeting and I think part of it was we left the door open for having follow ups in terms of what other details they would want to make sure there are clean and effective mines if there was an additional mine in the future."
Bad River Tribal Chair Mike Wiggins said the meeting with the governor gave them the first opportunity to take their message to a larger audience.
"It was just a wonderful opportunity for the tribe in its scarce and limited resources to have a platform to try and assert a voice. A voice that essentially spoke for clean air and clean water."
But other voices are speaking for the economy. They say the region is depressed and unemployment is high. They say a mine could make a huge economic difference to the entire region.
"It could be an economic game changer, at least for a short period of time, in Iron and Ashland Counties. Huge benefits to the creation of jobs and to restaurants and supportive industries."
But the tribe wants to be sure that economic growth doesn't come at the expense of the environment. During their meeting with Governor Walker they presented ten principles they'd like to guide future development.
"We're going to spend more time, getting more details, and trying to figure out if there's a way to do that, not only for the Bad River, but for other tribal governments all throughout the state who have concerns."
The governor promised that a recently formed bipartisan committee will attempt to meet those principles. But that new Senate Mining Committee doesn't include tribal representation.
"The notion that a bipartisan committee is complete as a one side and a two side come together, I would assert that there's a third side and that is the tribes of Wisconsin."
We should point out its not just the tribes who have concerns about the impact of the proposed mine on the environment. Several other groups have formed as well including "Save the Waters Edge" which held a protest gathering this past weekend in the Penokee Hills.
The week old mining committee will need to meet to discuss current laws. The chair of the Committee, Senator Neal Kedzie, hasn't set up anything yet and is working to organize all seven members.
Jordan Weinand
jweinand@northlandsnewscenter.com
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Oppidan completes successful multi-tenant building in Twin Ports
Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Choice, Buffalo Wild Wings
occupy high-traffic retail space in Duluth Minnesota
MINNETONKA, Minn., September 20, 2011 --- After a successful redevelopment by Oppidan Investment Company, a multi-tenant building has now brought three distinct retailers to part of northern Minnesota’s busiest shopping districts. With the recent opening of the first Bed Bath & Beyond in the Twin Ports area, a 36,000 square foot retail building is now once again fully occupied.
“The building looks brand new, Reprise Design worked with us and the City of Duluth to create new and improved architectural elements to the building including new facade, awnings, parking lot lighting, outdoor patio seating, parking lot and a new roof,” said Jay Moore, who was Oppidan’s lead developer on the project. “This is a great example of what Oppidan does best, being able to make an existing facility meet the business needs of three separate retailers.”
The retail building occupied by Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buffalo Wild Wings and Home Choice is located on Miller Trunk Highway, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 53 and State Highway 194, directly across from Miller Hill Mall. The building was originally home to Duluth’s first Gander Mountain store. The highly visible property had been unused since 2005, until Oppidan had the opportunity to redevelop the existing building.
“This was a win-win project for Oppidan and for the shoppers of the region,” said Oppidan president Joe Ryan. “We were able to redevelop a retail space that was unused for a few years, and bring three great businesses to this high-traffic area.”
The Duluth retail location is one of many projects Oppidan has developed across the nation in the past year. The company has also completed facilities for Gander Mountain, Supervalu, Camping World, Orchard Supply Hardware and a number of other major retailers.
About Oppidan Investment
Since 1991, Oppidan Investment Company has been a leader in the merchant real estate development industry because of a simple philosophy established by founder, Joe Ryan: “Deliver value.” Oppidan specializes in assessing, developing and selling properties and has over $1 billion in developed property, in excess of 9 million square feet and 175 successful projects completed to date.
occupy high-traffic retail space in Duluth Minnesota
MINNETONKA, Minn., September 20, 2011 --- After a successful redevelopment by Oppidan Investment Company, a multi-tenant building has now brought three distinct retailers to part of northern Minnesota’s busiest shopping districts. With the recent opening of the first Bed Bath & Beyond in the Twin Ports area, a 36,000 square foot retail building is now once again fully occupied.
“The building looks brand new, Reprise Design worked with us and the City of Duluth to create new and improved architectural elements to the building including new facade, awnings, parking lot lighting, outdoor patio seating, parking lot and a new roof,” said Jay Moore, who was Oppidan’s lead developer on the project. “This is a great example of what Oppidan does best, being able to make an existing facility meet the business needs of three separate retailers.”
The retail building occupied by Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buffalo Wild Wings and Home Choice is located on Miller Trunk Highway, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 53 and State Highway 194, directly across from Miller Hill Mall. The building was originally home to Duluth’s first Gander Mountain store. The highly visible property had been unused since 2005, until Oppidan had the opportunity to redevelop the existing building.
“This was a win-win project for Oppidan and for the shoppers of the region,” said Oppidan president Joe Ryan. “We were able to redevelop a retail space that was unused for a few years, and bring three great businesses to this high-traffic area.”
The Duluth retail location is one of many projects Oppidan has developed across the nation in the past year. The company has also completed facilities for Gander Mountain, Supervalu, Camping World, Orchard Supply Hardware and a number of other major retailers.
About Oppidan Investment
Since 1991, Oppidan Investment Company has been a leader in the merchant real estate development industry because of a simple philosophy established by founder, Joe Ryan: “Deliver value.” Oppidan specializes in assessing, developing and selling properties and has over $1 billion in developed property, in excess of 9 million square feet and 175 successful projects completed to date.
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