Conserving this Nation’s fish and other aquatic resources cannot be successful without the partnership of Tribes; they manage or influence some of the most important aquatic habitats both on and off reservations. In addition, the Federal government and the Service have distinct and unique obligations toward Tribes based on trust responsibility, treaty provisions, and statutory mandates.

Tribal Historians to Tell the Story of the Black Hawk War

The Genoa National Fish Hatchery (NFH) partners with 10 different tribes across the Midwest to restore fisheries and other aquatic resources. Recently, the hatchery has begun to collaborate with historians from the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, the Hauberg Indian Museum in Rock Island, Ill., and several other entities to gather accurate information for a display highlighting the Black Hawk War of 1832 and the history of the Sac and Fox Tribes in the hatchery’s new interpretive center. The last battle of the Black Hawk War, which involved the Sac and Fox Nations, took place just south of the hatchery near the Bad Axe River.

“It has been a great pleasure and opportunity to have learned from James Buffalo, the Sac and Fox Historic Preservation Director and Beth Carvey, Director of the Hauberg Indian Museum,” said Genoa NFH Project Leader Doug Aloisi, “We are excited about the interpretive center and working together with others to tell the story of the river.” The new interpretive center will focus on the unique natural, historical and cultural resources located in the Upper Mississippi River basin.

Genoa NFH is constantly networking and connecting with others to form new partnerships with state, tribal, non-profit and other organizations to positively impact aquatic resources and their local community.