Contacting the Office:
Julie Morin, Acting Native American Specialist
e-mail: Julie_Morin@fws.gov
BHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
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Ashland FRO Completes Freshwater Mussel Survey
for Sokaogon Chippewa Reservation
Biologists from the Ashland Fishery Resources Office
(FRO) and Sokaogon Chippewa Community (SCC) recently conducted a survey
for freshwater mussels on several streams and one lake in the reservation
boundary and surrounding area. SCC fisheries biologist Mike Pruell and
FRO fisheries biologist Glenn Miller conducted the surveys Jan. 14, on
water bodies the SCC are utilizing as water quality monitoring stations.
At each site, a biologist collected the mussels, gathered the necessary
biological information (length and height measurements of the shells, age
and sex, if possible) and checked for gravidity of the mussels. The mussels
were then safely returned to the area from which they were collected. Three
of the sites are being recommended as possible monitoring sites utilizing
the mussels as bio-indicators along with the water quality data being collected
by the SCC. These sites would be monitored every two to four years for
any changes in species numbers and composition. Ashland FRO completes freshwater
mussel survey for the Sokaogon Chippewa Community on reservation and adjoining
water bodies.Resource Outputs: The Ashland FRO and Sokaogon Chippewa Community
(SCC) biological staff conducted a survey for freshwater mussels on several
streams and one lake in the reservation boundary and surrounding area.
Native American Liaison Annual Report Features
Tribal Partnerships and Cooperative Projects
In FY 2001, Native American Liaison projects and activities featured a balance
of coordination and communication between Service representatives at various
levels, members of tribal governments and multi-tribal agencies. There was
a significant increase in outreach activities benefiting individual tribes
which often provided indirect benefits for additional tribes. A summary of
specific activities include the following. A new Native American Directory
for Region 3 tribes was completed in October and updated with web sites and
email addresses in July.
The liaison participated in the "Government on Display" event
at the Mall of America featuring the Gray wolf. Cross regional communication
and partnerships were supported by coordinating information concerning the
down listing of the wolf with Region 6 and joining Regions 2 and 6 in the
FWS Memorandum Of Agreement with Intertribal Bison Cooperative. Strengthening
our partnership with tribal organizations is a high priority and the "power
of the press" is an excellent tool. Service activities relevant to tribal
tradition and values are featured in articles contained in Native American
publications. A news article describing the proposed down listing for the
western great lakes population of the gray wolf was prepared and submitted
to the Editor of Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Publication From
the Eagles Nest. Information on the proposed rule, comment time line and
tribal impact were included in the article. A second news article was prepared
and submitted to the Editor of the Lac Courte Oreilles Journal Times featuring
Service demonstration of an interactive hunter education display to the LCO
Boys and Girls Club. The system enabled youth to experience a traditional
tribal activity by using laser shotguns and rifles to "hunt big game" in
a controlled classroom. Specific activities were provided to individual tribes
demonstrating a broad range of partnership opportunities and resource benefits.
In fisheries Service field offices worked with 8 tribes and one inter-tribal
organization in completing surveys, assessments and plans on sturgeon, coaster
brook trout and other trust species.
Tribes also joined Service personnel to conduct recreational fishing events
for youth during National Fishing and Boating Week. Several National Wildlife
Refuges are located near tribal reservations or in treaty ceded areas. Tribal
coordination and communication regarding refuge operations increased during
the year. Service participated in tribal training and government to government
communication on refuge issues benefiting resources important to the tribe.
Special activities were conducted to involve tribal members in reestablishment
of the Whooping Crane.
Tribal participation in ecosystem activities included the Bad River Band
which proposed Bald and Golden Eagle Protection in Tribal Fish and Wildlife
Code; the joining of Federal, Tribal and State Agencies with Commercial Fishers
in the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Team to benefit ecosystem resources by
funding four projects that support priorities of lake sturgeon restoration
and Great Lakes Islands protection; and the Red Lake Nation who became the
first tribe to host an ecosystem team meeting. Tribal coordination of endangered
species issues continued but at a reduced level from last year.
Follow-up activities were conducted
with the tribes involved in the NRDA settlement on the Nemadji River on
the proposed action related to the exchange
of land on South Fox Island, MI. The region continued to fulfill tribal trust
responsibilities by pursuing the transfer of equipment to tribes. Surplus
diesel generators were found for the Natural Resources Department at Bad
River Indian Reservation, surplus fish trucks found a new home at the Mole
Lake and Leech Lake tribes for use by their fish hatchery programs and the
region identified a process to provide surplus computers to tribal youth.
Interagency activities helped to bridge the partnership with tribes. The
regional liaison represented the Service in joining the Bureau of Indian
Affairs in honoring their Regional Forester who was promoted to a position
at the BIA National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, ID; coordinated regional
activities supporting the youth fishing event sponsored for the 11th year
by BIA and Red Lake Band at the Minnesota Valley NWR and participated with
Service regional managers during an open forum partnership meeting with resource
leaders from State of Minnesota. Activities and support for tribal natural
resource personnel included events at professional societies. As a member
of the Native Peoples'' Fisheries Section the regional liaison prepared a
detailed report of Section activities to the Section President. Specific
items were linked to the elements in the strategic plan of the American Fisheries
Society and rationale was provided to demonstrate how the Section supports
the Society goals. A half day 12 paper symposium sponsored by the Section
during the Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society was organized
and moderated. Four other Sections of the Society co-sponsored the symposium
entitled A Partnerships in Tribal Fisheries - A Basis for Fishery Success
in the 21st Century. Funding was arranged to support the travel of two tribal
presenters. The annual meeting of Native American Fish & Wildlife Society
was held May 21-24 in Lincoln City, OR. and active participation occurred
during the Service Native American Liaison session.
Interpersonal relationships are the keystone to tribal partnerships. Activities
to build on the Service/ Tribal relationship included: support and identification
of a funding source for a PROTECTORS OF THE EARTH YOUTH CAMP: ( a one week
camp was held for American Indian and African American students to study
scientific and cultural knowledge regarding natural resource topics); a presentation
to Optimist International Chapter on Tribal/Service Youth Fishing Event;
coordinating and attending an awards banquet held by Red Lake Nation to Honor
a Service Employee for his volunteer support to National Fishing Week for
the past 10 years; the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation created a dynamic dual
picture poster depicting a thundering Bison herd on the top half and three
trumpeter swans in flight on the bottom signed copies of the poster were
provided tribal representatives to recognize their contribution to natural
resources; at the invitation of the Red Lake Nation the regional liaison
represented the Service and became a honorary member of the tribal DNR during
the final services for Lawrence Bedeau, Director of Natural Resources for
Red Lake Nation who passed on.
The Regional leadership beginning with the Regional Director supported many
issues concerning tribes. Regional Director, Bill Hartwig lead Service participation
in Annual Conference of the Great Lakes Region of the Native American Fish
and Wildlife Society by delivering the keynote address. An estimated 100
attendees represented the 34 tribes and 4 tribal organizations in the Region
as well as other Federal agencies and States. The meeting was hosted by the
Bay Mills Indian Community at their Resort in Brimley, Michigan. Service
guests included Mr. Pat Durham, Native American Liaison, Washington, DC and
Mr. Jim Brown, Native American Liaison, Region 4 Atlanta. The Conference
theme focused on partnerships and major topics included: political opportunities
with the new administration, availability of eagle parts and feathers and
status of guidelines, availability of bison from units of the National Wildlife
Refuge System and update of cooperative Tribal/Service projects benefiting
fish and wildlife resources. The Service recognized Faith McGruther, Regional
Director (GLNAFWS) for her leadership and organizational efforts with a signed
framed copy of the Brandenburg Foundation A Prairie Poster. The Native American
Liaison office provided support to the Native American Liaison in the Washington
Office by reviewing the GPRA tribal partnership performance measures and
drafting more measurable elements, and organizing and hosting the October
National Service Liaison conference call. The liaison shared the tribal partnership
GPRA goal with project leaders at the Regional fisheries meeting and attended
Tribal Cultural and Historic Preservation Training. .
Resource Outputs: The Native American Liaison Annual Report
summarizes the Highlights and accomplishments of the tribal partnership activities
involving Region 3 offices. The achievements support the trust responsibility
the Federal Government has to Tribal Governments and the Partnership activities
related to the Service GPRA Goal.
Partners: The Regions tribal trust responsibilities include
35 tribes, 11 each in Minnesota and Wisconsin, 12 in Michigan and 1 in Iowa.
The Region also coordinates programs, activities and issues with 4 multi-tribal
groups which include: the Minnesota-Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota; the 1854
Treaty Authority in Duluth, MN; the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife
Commission (GLFWIC) which includes the Voigt task force) in Wisconsin; and
the Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) in Michigan previously the
Chippewa-Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority.
Tribes, State and Service Discuss Law Enforcement
Issues
On Mar. 18, 2002, Special Agent Ed Spoon represented the Service at a one-day
'Tribal/Conservation Warden Conference, held at the College of the Menominee
Nation, Keshena, Wisc. Conservation Officers from the Menominee Nation, Mole
Lake Band of Chippewa, Forest County Potawatomi, and Stockbridge-Munsee Tribes
attended, along with Wisconsin Conservation Wardens, U.S. Forest Service
officers and officers from the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Spoon gave a one-hour presentation on Service Law Enforcement policies regarding
Native Americans, Eagle Act permits for Indian religious purposes and the
role of the National Eagle Repository. Spoon also discussed the Lacey Act's
applicability to tribal lands and the need for Tribes to apply to the Service,
if they wish to set migratory bird hunting seasons outside of the seasons
selected by the state.
Ashland Fisheries Office Assists Mole Lake
Chippewa Band With Zebra Mussel Surveys
During the week of August 5, the Ashland Fisheries
Resources Office assisted the Sokaogon Chippewa Community in determining
the distribution and density of zebra mussels near its reservation boundaries.
Fisheries biologist and Region 3 diver Glenn Miller, along with Mike Preul,
aquatic biologist for the Mole Lake Band, surveyed three lakes that are
utilized by the tribe for tribal subsistence harvest in the 1837 and 1842
ceded territories of Wisconsin. Lakes surveyed were Pelican Lake in Oneida
County, and Lake Lucerne and Lake Metonga in Forest County. Pelican Lake
and Lake Lucerne had no zebra mussels found during the surveys. Areas around
the boat landings and rock bars where fishermen are known to fish were
surveyed, with each area receiving approximately 20 minutes per diver spent
in these areas. A total of three areas for Lake Lucerne and four areas
for Pelican Lake were surveyed. Zebra mussels were reported in Lake Metonga
during the summer of 2001. Further investigations during 2001 found several
recruitment classes in the northern part of the lake by a public boat landing.
During the fall of 2001 and winter of 2002, Mike Preul, along with assistance
from the Ashland FRO, put together a long term monitoring program for Lake
Metonga. The program includes SCUBA surveys and collections of zebra mussels,
veliger samplers placed throughout the lake and outlet streams, veliger
tows and fish sampling of all life stages. This is the first year of the
sampling program, and, unfortunately, it looks like the zebra mussels are
rapidly increasing their numbers in Lake Metonga. All sizes, from 2 mm
up to 20 mm were found during the SCUBA survey and over two-thirds of the
veliger samplers showed settling of juvenile zebra mussels. Lake Metonga
is used heavily for recreation, both for fishing and boating in general.
Because of the volume of boats using this lake, the potential for further
infestations into surrounding lakes is very real. The Mole Lake Band, in
conjunction with the lake association, is in the process of placing large
signs at boat landings warning boaters of the zebra mussels in Lake Metonga.
These signs will inform boaters of ways to help prevent the spread of zebra
mussels into neighboring lakes.
