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Tribal Law Enforcement Patch
This section of the exhibit presented tribal fishers’ views and beliefs regarding the management and conservation of Lake Michigan fisheries. Until recently, the leading advocacy issue for tribal fishers was the establishment of fishing rights under the Treaty of 1836. Following a 1979 U.S. District Court decision recognizing tribal treaty fishing rights, the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians created their own fisheries regulatory policy. The three tribes and the Little River Band of Ottawa have joined together to create the Chippewa Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority (COTFMA). Under a 1985 U.S. District Court Consent Order, COTFMA shares responsibility for fisheries management with state and federal fisheries officials. The tribes and COTFMA support fisheries research and education. Fishing is integral to tribal culture both today and in the past.
A Shoulder patch is issued to conservation officials from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians who enforce tribal fishing regulations. Artifacts relating to Lake Michigan fisheries management and regulation both today and in the past were collected and analyzed for the exhibit.
Photographs of exhibit while at the MSU Museum
Today, as in the past, the American Indians of the Great Lakes Region act to preserve, protect, and enhance Lake Michigan fisheries. Centuries prior to the arrival of European explorers and colonists, they established cultural practices to ensure plentiful fish stocks for future generations. Under a 1985 U.S. District Court Consent Order, the tribes represented by the Chippewa Ottawa Tribal Fisheries Management Authority (COTFMA) share responsibility for managing Lake Michigan fisheries in Michigan waters with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The origins of this power sharing relationship are found in the Treaty of 1836.
Oral History Excerpts
“We’re enforced on by state or by our tribal [officials]; any tribe can enforce on each other, as well as the state can enforce on any of us and the federal and the Coast Guard. We’ve been boarded by them all.” Cindi John, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, 1999

“So I really don’t believe in the treaties, but [I’ve] got to follow them. I believe in things like my people would have back then. Good things come out of my heart like that.” James Raphael, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, 1999

 James Raphael
James Raphael. Photograph by Michael J. Chiarappa.
Ron Paquin
“Well, they think we’re unregulated... we’re the most highly regulated fishery. There’s a fish council for every one of us. I mean our own, and that’s not counting the state and higher ups.” George “Skip” Duhamel, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, 1999

“I was down by the courthouse here in Petoskey and this was in 1987, and this boy runs out of this house and he sees me on the sidewalk and when I’m walking, he yells ‘go home gill netter’.” Yvonne Keshick, Little Traverse Bands of Odawa, 1999

“They want everyone to go to trap nets but it costs you a good $100,000 or more now just to get started.” Ron Paquin, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, 1999
Ron Paquin. Photograph by Michael J. Chiarappa.
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