One Nation. One Law. Indivisible.
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation
Probably you-like we–have noted the alarming increase of business failures in Northern Mille Lacs County. During recent years, more than 60 businesses in our area have closed their doors. Lacking willing buyers, many are eventually purchased by our single deep-pockets buyer, the Mille Lacs Band organization. The purchased properties then often sit vacant in defeat and deterioration, eroding the tax base, and pitting citizen against citizen. We think this situation is closely tied to the steady decline of tourism and sense of despair that has resulted from the ongoing lake management controversy.
We know that a solution to this controversy is achievable only via the courts. The Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation, in partnership with the Citizen’s Equal Rights Foundation and the City of Wahkon, have challenged the court ruling that created the controversy nearly 30 years ago.
This is an expensive legal challenge. We ask that for the benefit of our communities you consider a donation to this cause. Any amount will help, and we promise to use it wisely.
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation
For several years prior to the formation of Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation, a group called the Mille Lacs Tea Party was organized as an ad hoc committee of the Lake Mille Lacs Association in response to what the group recognized as “jurisdiction without representation” on the part of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. In April of 2005, recognizing that while the problems we saw in our community appeared to be of tribal origin, the real culprit was our Federal Government.
In response, Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation was formed as a 501c3 non-profit corporation. Believing that Federal Indian Policy is unconstitutional, fundamentally racist, allows abuse of power and is detrimental to harmonious existence in our communities, MERF’s mission is to educate, advocate and litigate in support of what we believe
Stay informed and join the fight!
#SaveMilleLacs
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Join us every Summer at the MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation's Monthly Meeting. Help create change with a one-time cash donation and learn what you can do to make a difference. 2022 Meeting dates to be announced.
Wahkon Community Hall
151 2nd Street E.
P.O. Box 8
Wahkon, MN 56386
Get Directions
If you have questions, please email us at Info@MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org or message us on facebook messenger!
Posted by MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation in 2021
Purchase Raffle Tickets at Twin Pines Resort Resort Motel & Restaurant, Prince Guns and 2022 County Fair locations listed in community events.
Purchase Raffle Tickets at Twin Pines Resort Resort Motel & Restaurant, Prince Guns and 2022 County Fair locations listed in community events.
Purchase Raffle Tickets at Twin Pines Resort Resort Motel & Restaurant, Prince Guns and 2021 County Fair locations listed in community events.
Visit YouTube to see the #FairPhotos!
Find Your Fair PhotoPurchase Raffle Tickets at Twin Pines Resort, Prince Guns and all County Fairs listed in community events below.
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Join us at the Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation's Annual Fall Garage Sale scheduled for Labor Day Weekend Friday, and Saturday, September September 1st – 3rd from 8 am to 5 pm daily at Wahkon City Hall in Wahkon. We encourage everyone to take advantage of garage sale bargains while helping our cause.
Address: Wahkon City Hall
151 2nd Street
Wahkon, MN 56386
Get Directions
To make a donation and/or arrange pick up, or have questions about how you can help, please email us at Info@MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org or message us on facebook messenger!
MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation annual fundraiser in Wahkon starts TODAY! Swing by and support our cause....
Posted by MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation on Thursday, September 1, 2022
Make plans to stop by, you won't want to miss all the NEW items we have this year!
Posted by MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation on Thursday, August 12, 2021
Join us at the Morrison County Fair July 21st – 23rd, 2022. Find the MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation's booth and visit with our volunteers to purchase a $5 raffle ticket.
Address:
15575 Hawthorn Rd, Little Falls, MN 56345
Get Directions
Phone: (320) 632-1040
https://morrisonfair.com/
Gate Admission – FREE!
Daily Parking Fees:
• $3.00 per car
• 3 day Parking Pass - $5.00 per car
*No Pets Allowed* Service Animals Only
If you can help or have questions, please email us at Info@MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org or message us on facebook messenger!
Join us at the Mille Lacs County Fair August 10th – 14th, 2022. Find the MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation's booth and visit with our volunteers to purchase a $5 raffle ticket.
Address:
1400 N 3rd Street
Princeton, MN 55371
Get Directions
https://crowwingcountyfair.com/
If you can help or have questions, please email us at Info@MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org or message us on facebook messenger!
😍👇 Thank you EVERYONE for your support at the MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation at the 2019 Mille Lacs County...
Posted by MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation on Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Join us at the Crow Wing County Fair August 2nd – August 6th, 2022. Find the MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation's booth and visit with our volunteers to purchase a $5 raffle ticket.
Address:
2000 SE 13th Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
Get Directions
https://crowwingcountyfair.com/
If you can help or have questions, please email us at Info@MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org or message us on facebook messenger!
🎡 Look for MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation again this year at the Crow Wing County Fair and show your support for only $5 -- 🎟 great prizes again this year and updates on our cause!
Posted by MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation on Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Join us at the Kanabec County Fair July 28th – 31st, 2022. Find the MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation's booth and visit with our volunteers to purchase a $5 raffle ticket.
Address:
South Union St.
Mora, MN 55051
Get Directions
https://kanabeccountyfair.org/
If you can help or have questions, please email us at Info@MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org or message us on facebook messenger!
Some great photos of our supporters through the years! #savemillelacslake
Posted by MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation on Friday, August 12, 2022
Join us at the Aitkin County Fair July 6th – 9th, 2022. Find the MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation's booth and visit with our volunteers to purchase a $5 raffle ticket.
Address:
632 Minnesota Ave N, Aitkin, MN 56431
Get Directions
Phone: (218) 927-7354
https://aitkincountyfair.com/
Gate Admission – FREE!
Daily Parking Fees:
• $5.00 per car
We will also need volunteers to help setup and teardown. If you can help or have questions, please email us at Info@MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org or message us on facebook messenger!
ATTENTION PATRIOTS! —> 🇺🇸 Swing by and support a good cause! 🎡 If you can’t make it, please consider a donation using the link below, or visit MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation.org for more options. 🎣 🇺🇸 #MERF // #MilleLacsEqualRightsFoundation // Lake Mille Lacs 🇺🇸 MERF – Find us at the Aitkin County Fair – July 10th - 13th
Posted by MERF - Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation on Friday, July 8, 2022
Donald J. Trump V. United States of America – CERF (Citizens Equal Rights Alliance) Amicus Brief Supporting Neither PartyMr. Trump gave us an opportunity to explain all of this long history in a major constitutional case. This was also our chance to reveal how the Department of Justice has been using these powers against individuals without ever disclosing they were going beyond the limited powers of the Constitution.
DONALD J. TRUMP V. UNITED STATES – CERF AMICUS BRIEF SUPPORTING NEITHER PARTY
DECISION: Mille Lacs County Minnesota District Court of the United StatesDecision of the 8th circuit district court in Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe v. Mille Lacs County
DECISION OF THE 8TH CIRCUIT DISTRICT COURT IN MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE V. MILLE LACS COUNTY
Supreme Court of the United StatesOKLAHOMA VS. VICTOR CASTRO-HUERTA AMICUS BRIEF FOR MILLE LACS EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING PETITIONER
AMICUS BRIEF FOR MILLE LACS EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION – OKLAHOMA v. VICTOR CASTRO-HUERTA
Supreme Court of the United StatesBRACKEEN AMICUS BRIEF FOR MILLE LACS EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING PETITIONER
BRACKEEN AMICUS BRIEF FOR MILLE LACS EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING PETITIONER
Supreme Court of the United StatesBRIEF FOR CITIZENS EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION AND CENTRAL NEW YORK FAIR BUSINESS ASSOCATION AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING PETITIONER
JOHN STURGEON, PETITIONER v. BERT FROST, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS ALASKA REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, ET AL. No. 17-949 August, 2018
Supreme Court of the United StatesSTURGEON v. FROST, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS ALASKA REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, ET AL.
STURGEON v. FROST, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS ALASKA REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, ET AL. No. 17–949. Argued November 5, 2018—Decided March 26, 2019
DOCUMENT EMBARGO UPPER RIO GRANDDOCUMENT EMBARGO UPPER RIO GRAND
DOCUMENT EMBARGO UPPER RIO GRAND
MEMORANDUM FEDERAL IRRIGATION WATER RIGHTSMEMORANDUM FEDERAL IRRIGATION WATER RIGHTS
MEMORANDUM FEDERAL IRRIGATION WATER RIGHTS
VEEDER FOREST MANAGEMENT MEMORANDUMVEEDER FOREST MANAGEMENT MEMORANDUM
VEEDER FOREST MANAGEMENT MEMORANDUM
FIRST SET OF BILLS PROPOSED BY NIXONFIRST SET OF BILLS PROPOSED BY NIXON
FIRST SET OF BILLS PROPOSED BY NIXON
SECOND SET OF BILLS PROPOSED BY NIXONSECOND SET OF BILLS PROPOSED BY NIXON
SECOND SET OF BILLS PROPOSED BY NIXON
Supreme Court of the United StatesBRIEF FOR CITIZEN EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION (CERF), MILLE LACS EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION (MERF) AND THE CITY OF WAKHON, MINNESOTA AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENT
AMICUS BRIEF FOR CITIZEN EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION (CERF), MILLE LACS EQUAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION (MERF) AND THE CITY OF WAKHON, MINNESOTA AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF RES AMICUS December, 2018
Supreme Court of the United StatesHERRERA VS. WYOMING
HERRERA v. WYOMING CERTIORARI TO THE DISTRICT COURT OF WYOMING, SHERIDAN COUNTY So who is telling the truth regarding Mille Lacs in Minnesota? Here is the timeline – you decide!
There are now over 200 properties for sale around Lake Mille Lacs, property values are falling, and the county tax picture is faced with a $31 million dollar decrease in assessed value of property and more cuts on the way.
“The Chippewa Nation cede to the United States all that tract of country within the following boundaries:…” Those boundaries included the 61,000 acres in northern Mille Lacs County which was then part of Wisconsin Territory. “The privilege of hunting, fishing & gathering the wild rice, upon the lands, the rivers and the lakes, included in the territory ceded, is guaranteed to the Indians, during the pleasure of the President of the United States.“
“The Mississippi, Pillager, and Lake Winnibigoshish bands of Chippewa Indians hereby cede, sell, and convey to the United States all their right, title, and interest in, and to, the lands now owned and claimed by them, in the Territory of Minnesota…”
“There shall be, and hereby is, reserved and set apart, a sufficient quantity of land for the permanent homes of the said Indians…“ The part set apart for the Mille Lacs Band was the 61,000 acres in Northern Mille Lacs County.
“The reservations known as Gull Lake, Mille Lac, Sandy Lake, Rabbit Lake, Pokagomin Lake, and Rice Lake as described in the second clause of the second article of the treaty with the Chippewas of the 22d February, 1855, are hereby ceded to the United States…“
“…owing to the heretofore good conduct of the Mille Lac Indians, they shall not be compelled to remove so long as they shall not in any way interfere with or in any manner molest the persons or property of the whites.“
“Essentially identical to the 1863 treaty except for additional payments to the Indians. It replaces the 1863 Treaty.“
“We the undersigned being male adult Indians over eighteen years of age of the Mille Lac band of Chippewas of the Mississippi…do also hereby forever relinquish to the United States the right of occupancy on the Mille Lac Reservation, reserved to us by the twelfth article of the treaty of May 7, 1864…“
“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all public lands formerly within the Mille Lac Indian Reservation, in the State of Minnesota, be, and the same are hereby, declared to be subject to entry by any bona fide settler under the public land laws of the United States … “
“For payment to the Indians occupying the Mille Lac Indian Reservation … the sum of forty thousand dollars … to pay said Indians for improvements made by them … on the Mille Lac Indian Reservation … that this appropriation shall be paid only after said Indians shall … have accepted the provisions hereof … and … upon removing from the said Mille Lac Reservation …“
“We are accordingly of opinion that the act of 1889, to which the Indians fully assented, contemplated and … authorized the completion, and the issuing of patents on, all existing pre-emption and homestead entries in the Mille Lac tract which, in the course of the proceedings of the Land Department, shall be found to be within the terms of the proviso 6, and therefore no rights of the Indians were infringed in so disposing of lands embraced in such entries …“
“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, “That not to exceed $40,000 of this amount may be used in the purchase of lands for the homeless non-removal Mille Lacs Indians, to whom allotments have not heretofore been made … said lands to be held in trust and may be allotted to said Indians …”
“ Mille Lacs Band Chief Art Gahbow announced in the State of the Band address, “As of right now we are on the offensive … to state it simply, we will take it back [the former 1855 reservation lands] … the goal is to get back the original Mille Lacs Reservation …”
“Assistant Solicitor Charlotte T. Westwood wrote to the Land Division of the Indian Office. She stated that the proposed constitution for the Minnesota Chippewa talked about 6 reservations: Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake. Mille Lac, Nett Lake and White Earth. Westwood said, “The Mille Lac Reservation is frequently officially referred to as ‘Purchased Lands’ rather than a reservation. The lands involved were purchased under the act of August 1, 1914 … for the homeless non-removal members of the Mille Lac Band. Is it proper to refer to these lands as a reservation?”
J.M. Stewart, Director of Lands, replied to Assistant Solicitor Westwood on May 1, 1936 saying, “These purchased lands may be considered as the reservation of the non-removal Mille Lac Indians.”
“This opinion provides my legal conclusion regarding the current status of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s (Band) Reservation boundaries … we find that the Mille Lacs Reservation, as it was established by the 1855 Treaty, remains intact …” Signed: Hilary C. Tompkins, Solicitor, Dept. of Interior”
“Complaint: “The boundaries of the Reservation as established in 1855 have not been disestablished or diminished. In particular, the treaty … (Mar. 11, 1863) and the treaty … (May 7, 1864) preserved the Reservation for the Mille Lacs Band, and the Act of January 14, 1889 … did not disestablish or diminish the Reservation or alter the Reservation’s boundaries … All lands within the Reservation as established in 1855 are Indian country within the meaning of 18 U.S.C.§1151.”
Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Co-Management Timeline
Annual harvest levels are established by the 1837 Ceded Territory Fisheries Committee, which is composed of GLIFWC (Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission) and the Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources).
“The Mille Lacs Band sued the State of Minnesota, asserting that the 1837 Treaty with the United States gave them the right to hunt, fish and gather free of State regulation on land ceded in the treaty.”
“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Mille Lacs Band agree on a proposed Settlement Agreement which stated that the Band would drop their lawsuit, limit their walleye harvest to 240,000 pounds per year and adhere to the Band’s conservation code. In return, the State of Minnesota would give the Band $8.6 million, 7500 acres of land and exclusive fishing rights on 4.5% (approximately 6000 acres) of Lake Mille Lacs. The agreement also allowed traditional spear fishing and netting.”
“The Settlement Agreement was narrowly defeated by the Minnesota legislature.”
“U.S. District Court Judge Diane Murphy ruled that the Mille Lacs Band retained the hunting, fishing and gathering right granted in the 1837 treaty. A second phase of the trial was ordered to determine the band’s fish and game allotments and the extent of any State regulation.”
“District Court Judge Michael Davis ruled that the band’s fishing and hunting activities in the twelve-county region were to be regulated by the band’s conservation code, rather than by the State’s fish and game rules.”
“State of Minnesota filed an appeal with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.”
“A three-judge panel of the Circuit Court upheld the lower court decision.”
“The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request to reconsider and an appeal was filed with the United States Supreme Court.”
“U.S. Supreme Court heard the case.”
“The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5 to 4 decision that the Mille Lacs band retains the hunting and fishing rights guaranteed them by the 1837 treaty.”
“U.S. District Court Judge Michael Davis ordered the State of Minnesota to pay the legal expenses ($3.95 million) of the Mille Lacs band and six other bands.”
The Lake Mille Lacs walleye harvest is regulated by an agreement developed by the seven bands of Chippewa and the Minnesota DNR. Annual harvest levels are established by the 1837 Ceded Territory Fisheries Committee, which is composed of GLIFWC (Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission) and the Minnesota DNR(Department of Natural Resources).
In 1989, Chief Art Gahbow said in his annual address to his Band,
“As of right now we are on the offensive. We are on the attack. To state it simply, we will take it back … the goal is to get back the original Mille Lacs, Sandy Lake and Rice Lake Reservations. The Lake Lena area will also be expanded … One way or another, we will take it back.” “The State of Minnesota does not understand that we are a sovereign government … All work hours, all business transactions, all contract negotiations will be aimed at one goal: restoration of the reservation lands … We will not back down. We are on the attack. There is no surrender.”
The 1837 treaty lawsuit resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 4 to 5 decision, ruling that the Mille Lacs Band and 6 Wisconsin bands have the right to hunt, fish and gather in the 1837 treaty area, which includes Lake Mille Lacs and the former Mille Lacs Reservation. The result is 7 Chippewa bands, using many 100 ft gill nets to capture walleye during the spawning season each spring. That is the most damaging time to do any fishing or even to disturb the spawning fish, as far as its effect on the future population of the lake is concerned.
The Minnesota DNR, the Governor of Minnesota and the local press point to zebra mussels, global warming, predatory birds and the greedy anglers among other things as the cause of the imagined disappearance of the walleye, but they refuse to consider netting, let alone netting during the spawning season, as a cause. The 2013 hatch of young walleye is the only one that is numerous in the lake according to the Minnesota DNR.
That is the year that central Minnesota had a late spring with a late ice-out and the result was an abbreviated period of time between ice-out and the start of the angling season during which netting was done. Should that tell us something?
As a result, the Minnesota DNR has imposed various restrictions from time to time on non-tribal anglers at Mille Lacs Lake – No night fishing – No live bait – Catch and Release – Slot Limits – Possession Limits, all with no restrictions on Tribal gill-netting. For a community based on tourism, with walleye fishing being the primary tourist attraction, this is devastating to 161 business who rely on the area for their livelihood.
A few years back, properties on Lake Mille Lacs could be purchased only at a premium and often sold privately before even being advertised. There are now over 200 properties for sale around the lake, property values are falling, and the county tax picture is faced with a 31-million-dollar decease in assessed value of property and more cuts on the way.
As a result, many businesses are feeling the pinch, some have already closed their doors and the Governor of Minnesota has talked about low or no interest loans to the businesses, as well as tax abatement – all short-term fixes – or no fix at all.
Are we as individuals – are we as a community – are we as a State, going to stand by and watch a beautiful tourist area be allowed to deteriorate? Are we as individuals – are we as a community – are we as a State, going to stand by and watch a beautiful tourist area become transformed from an area to be enjoyed and benefited by all people, to one for the benefit of only one race? Are we going to let Chief Art Gahbow’s words ring true? Think about it and decide – what you can do – and what you will do!
CERF/CERA believes and defends the constitutional rights of Indians and non-Indians. Our mission is to change federal Indian policies that threaten or restrict the individual rights of all citizens living on or near Indian reservations. We do not tolerate racial prejudice of any kind. We do not knowingly associate with anyone who discriminates based on race.
Federal Indian policies are decisions made expressly by the Executive Branch, Congress, State Legislators or Courts. Tribal Governments participate in, but do not make these decisions. CERA offers a broad range of information on this website but takes no specific position unless released in a formal CERA Press Release.
Federal Indian Policy is unaccountable, destructive, racist, and unconstitutional. It is, therefore CERF and CERA’s mission to ensure the equal protection of the law as guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution of the United States.
PERM is a non-partisan watchdog group that helps to ensure equal protection of the law for all citizens’ sustainable access to Minnesota’s natural resources. PERM stands by all treaties as written.
Proper Economic Resource Management (PERM) is a non-profit, tax exempt conservation club dedicated to balanced solutions to natural resource management issues. PERM supports a conservation rather than a preservation approach to natural resource management. All public natural resources must be managed for future generations to enjoy. The economic value of properly managed natural resources must be considered and is often a positive factor in promoting natural resource conservation. Balanced Solutions require a focus on long-term goals rather than short-term economic gains or environmentally exclusive policies.
PERM believes that our public natural resources should be managed for the benefit of ALL citizens, and not exclusively for the benefit of those with political access or clout.
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation (MERF), a 501c3 non-profit corporation recognized as a private foundation, has been in existence in its current form since 2006. MERF’s mission is to educate, advocate and litigate for equal rights for all residents. Donations payable to Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation are Tax Deductible.
Lake Mille Lacs, traditionally Minnesota’s most popular sport-fishing destination, is under siege. Thank Minnesota state government, especially the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), for failing to defend vital state and citizen interests. The too-costly negative impacts — on Mille Lacs-connected businesses, on the lake’s angling community near and far, on state fisheries management, and on the Mille Lacs image and allure — have reached intolerable lows. For over 15 years, state policymakers have remained loyal to harmful “treaty fisheries management” at Mille Lacs. Meanwhile, their taxpaying and license-buying victim-stakeholders suffer. A treasured Minnesota resource and fishing-tourism attraction is in crisis mode.
Throughout Minnesota sport-fishing history, Minnesota’s second-largest lake has enjoyed prestigious labels: Minnesota’s Premier Walleye lake – Walleye Capitol of the World – the Mecca for Twin-cities anglers – the State’s Launch-fishing Capitol – Minnesota’s largest Walleye Sport Fishery, in terms of angler participation and total catch – on open water and on ice.
Fisheries scientists nationwide have touted Mille Lacs as the ultimate natural walleye lake. Today’s disaster: Mille Lacs has become the crisis capitol of Minnesota fishing. Misguided one-of-a-kind “treaty fisheries management” pushes negative impacts on fish and on people. The resulting endless flow of scary Mille Lacs news continually worsens.
The Minnesota DNR has publicly said, Tribal harvest needs to be changed to allow Lake Mille Lacs walleye numbers to stabilize and grow back to historical levels. Between United States and Minnesota government programs to help the needy and countless dollars taken in annually by the Indian bands via Casino’s, subsistence fishing has no place in modern day fishery management and needs to be banned at Lake Mille Lacs.
THIS LAND IS OUR LAND . . . OR IS IT !?!
(Part 01)
Video on September 29th, 2015.
CERA/CERF Mission: Federal Indian Policy is unaccountable, destructive, racist, and unconstitutional. It is, therefore CERF and CERA’s mission to ensure the equal protection of the law as guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution of the United States."
Properties purchased by the Mille Lacs Band
often sit vacant and deteriorate...
Lake Mille Lacs is a way of life — not just a fishery ...
Probably you-like we–have noted the alarming increase of business failures in Northern Mille Lacs County. During recent years, more than 60 businesses in our area have closed their doors. Lacking willing buyers, many are eventually purchased by our single deep-pockets buyer, the Mille Lacs Band organization. The purchased properties then often sit vacant in defeat and deterioration, eroding the tax base, and pitting citizen against citizen.
We think this situation is closely tied to the steady decline of tourism and sense of despair that has resulted from the ongoing lake management controversy.
Millions of Minnesotans own Lake Mille Lacs and what’s in it. They pay state resource managers, lawmakers, and policymakers. They fund the offices of Governor and Attorney General. They also pay federal taxes which fund tribal governments and tribal resource-management agencies, like the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), which has received hundreds of millions over the years.
Yet, unsympathetic leaders — plus too many would-be conservationists, academics, and journalists — turn blind eyes and even run cover for the Mille Lacs monster. They callously overlook the human element, the thousands of people trapped in gloom, and maybe doom, brought on by walleye gill-net harvests and by “treaty fisheries management,” which isn’t treaty-created.
Here is a video shot in 2010 of a group from Wisconsin netting walleyes and northern pike on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota during spawning.
"STOP NETTING" - Published on Apr 26, 20112008 video documentation of a coordinated netting operation setup at the Cedar Creek public access which is State of Minnesota property. Videos shows thousands of pounds of walleye and northern pike that were taken before they could have a chance to spawn.
"NETTING OPERATION IN ACTION" - c. 2008www.myfox9.com, Gill Nets on Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota
kmspfox9 - Published on May 9, 2008Wealthwood public access on the north end of Mille Lacs Lake one week before the state opener for Walleye.
zodiactat2 - Published on May 7, 2016Any donation of $50 – $100 or more will help us untangle federal treaty law and other outdated agreements which are no longer helping reservation communities or the communities around them.
Our narrative in Minnesota is of interest and importance to every citizen in the United States. Remember, key decisions are being made at the federal level and we are making our voice heard in the Federal Courts.
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation
PO Box 62
Wahkon, MN 56386
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation (MERF) is a 501c3 non-profit corporation recognized as a private foundation. MERF’s mission is to educate, advocate and litigate for equal rights for all residents, tribal and non-tribal who live within and around government designated Indian communities in Mille Lacs County.
All proceeds go to support our legal defense fund.
Donations payable to Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation are Tax Deductible. As a member you will be kept abreast of the narrative and will be given other easy and convenient ways to support the effort. You can help us with emails, letters and phone calls to public officials, and/or by joining the plaintiff’s bar in our legal actions. At a minimum, you can help us spread the word.
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation (MERF), a 501c3 non-profit corporation recognized as a private foundation, has been in existence in its current form since 2006.
MERF’s mission is to educate, advocate and litigate for equal rights for all residents.
Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation
PO Box 62
Wahkon, MN 56386
Send an Email We look forward to hearing from you.
(218) 537-1625
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