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Mole Lake Sokaogon
Chippewa Community
Tribal Partnership Projects
Contacting the Office:
BHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
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Return to Tribal Grants Main PageAshland 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.
