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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Service Partnerships Highlighted in Tribal Publications
Recent activities conducted as
partners with tribes in Region 3 were highlighted in several tribal publications.
Articles and
photos depicting the tribal/Service activities were printed in the Red
Lake Nation News (Vol.11 Issue 4), Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority News
letter (Vol.4 No.4) and the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS)
Quarterly publication Eagle''s Nest (Vol.14 Fall 2001). Articles included:
a framed signed print of the Brandenburg Prairie Poster presented to Chairman
Whitefeather in appreciation of the first tribal hosting of an ecosystem
meeting; Service recognition of Faith McGruther, Regional Director (Great
Lakes Region NAFWS) for her leadership and organizational efforts in support
of the resource conference for the past eight years with a signed framed
copy of the Brandenburg Foundation ""Prairie Poster'; and the
historic and quiet ceremony conducted by Dwight ""Bucko"" Teeple,
Pipe Carrier from the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan, as he stood
on the shores of the wetland harboring an experimental flock of eight endangered
whooping cranes and used the traditional pipe and burned sacred tobacco
to spiritually bless the cranes as they began their migration flight.
Offices Involved: R3-Neal Smith NWR, R3-Necedah
NWR, R3-External Affairs
Resource Outputs: Service Cooperative activities
with tribal partners are an important part of managing the nation's natural
resources. These cooperative efforts become more visible and gain greater
visibility when the outcomes and results are carried by both partner agencies.
It is important to strengthen the partnership ties between resource cooperators
and having the tribal news outlets carry the Tribal/Service stories is
a critical link.
Partners: Red Lake Nation MN, Bay Mills Tribe
MI, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority
Notes: The tribal cultural and spiritual relevance
to our crane recovery project adds a partnership dimension and establishes
a GPRA link for tribal Partnerships. The crane blessing was the only tribal
involvement for the migrating cranes. An attempt to have tribal involvement
on their arrival did not occur.
Service Surplus Computers Transferred to Michigan
Tribe
On May 13 and 14, the Region 3 Native American Liaison
traveled to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., to honor the invitation from the new
Executive Director of Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Jeffrey Parker.
The tribal wildlife grant program, CITES authority, law enforcement cross
deputization and future cooperative activities with the Service were discussed
and explored. Also transported were 12 computers and monitors with accessories
to a secondary educational facility (Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools
- Alternative Education North Campus) associated with the Sault Ste. Marie
Tribe. The surplus computer equipment was from the Service's fisheries
and external affairs offices and went to the Bureau of Indian Affairs before
being transferred to the tribe.
Offices Involved: R3-External Affairs
Resource Outputs: This meeting was the first
opportunity to meet with Mr. Jeffery Parker, past tribal chairman of the
Bay Mills tribe, new executive Director of CORA. It is important to maintain
the partnership communication with this inter-tribal organization that
represents 5 recognized tribes in Michigan. Although Mr Parker has been
in the position a few months, he was interested in several items that are
of concern to the tribes his organization represents.
Partners: Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority,
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe BIA Minneapolis Regional Office
Notes: Tribal partnerships and communication
are important ingredients in developing the cooperative relationship essential
to maximize resource benefits. The open discussion of issues helps in working
toward mutual goals. The importance of tribal law enforcement activities
to tribes is increased as tribes seek recognition as resource stewards
and identify their role in off-reservation (treaty ceded lands) resource
management. Service expertise is well established in many of the areas
which could assist the tribes in achieving greater benefits.
