Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | One must take a moment to consider what has been said regarding this issue here, and in past threads. There are actually very few Tribal members who spear fish when compared to the total group, and selecting any one person to demand they stop individual tribal members exercising what the Supreme Court has upheld as a right given to them by OUR forefathers treaties is a bit too far a reach. I don't like the spearing either. Not one bit. However, this is an issue beyond most of us as individuals for solution, and no protest, boycott, or other action by Muskie anglers will make one bit of difference. In the grand scheme of things, Muskie anglers are as small a minority when compared to the overall population of non native folks as the spear activists are to native folks. The Casino parking lots are full, and will be despite our feelings. Howl into the night if you must, boycott whatever you wish, the law is the law; upheld by the highest court we have at our disposal. The only way I see this ever changing in any meaningful manner is an alliance between the Tribes and Outdoorsmen to increase tourism in the ceded territories, and by simple numbers, increase the nember of visitors in casinos; or some like arrangement where both parties benefit. Unbridled rage, rascism, and protest failed. Boycotts failed. Negotiations with our own governing bodies to use the Gaming as a chip in reducing spearing failed. I might be a bit optimistic, somewhat of a dreamer, but the only constructive action I see left to the outdoorsmen and women here in Wisconsin and Minnesota is cooperation, understanding, and communication. Perhaps, just maybe, if we and the Native Americans are truly willing to talk this through in the future, the gap can be reduced and mutual benefit might result. The tribes do not trust the rest of us, not one bit. Maybe that would be a good starting point, to let them know it is not the color of their skin, their history, or their people we have issue with, it is simply that we hold dear a strong conservation ethic we find at odds with rights they hold just as dear. |
