Contact the DNR

[SpikeRoberts]

MrMOM,
Thanks for the tip on the great website -- I could spend hours there following the money trail.

I did want to point out that the $222,905 figure is from ALL gaming/casino sources not just the native interests. Taking that into consideration, your conclusions may or may not be true. It would take a better breakdown of the contributions to be able to say conclusively one way or the other. Unfortunately, I've tried a number of sources and haven't been able to track down the relevant numbers.

[mistermom]

Hey Spike,

I thought about that too after my last post. Canterbury could be spending a lot of money. But I think the only other players are charitable gambling and the state itself. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that the state lottery lobbies the state legislature. For a lot of agencies its all monopoly money anyway. I'd like to see a breakdown of that casinos/gambling industry and I'll keep looking.

By the way did you see what sugar and the sugar beet industry spends on political contributions? No wonder my sugar pops are 4 bucks a box. Later sir

mistermom

[harvy56364]

spike roberts & Mr. mom- where do you get your air? As far as I know , go to California, No Carbon dioxide allowed. You can,t have it both ways. Oxegen & carbon dioxide are the life sustaining elements of the human race.

[harvy56364]

Every body on this post, please take interest on the issues. It could be in your lake or deer territory next! Lake Mille Lacs, is on its way out. Why would you on your little lake that you own a cabin on , Catch & Release from 20 to 70 walleyes a day! LET US GET REAL. Catch & release is not an option anymore.

[Guest]

Rick; good thing you balanced the topic by keeping race a non issue. Where do I go to hear what the Indians have to say? They sure aren't welcomed on this one.

[Guest]

Dear screwed goose. I disagree. I would be greatly interested in hearing from someone from the Mille Lacs band, Red lake band, or who ever has a opinion that is differentthan thetypical MN. angler. I just don't think there is any way to justifie the division that is going on in this state / country now in the name of racial fairness, or whatever it is you want to call it. It is time to accept where we are as a nation and grow as one people or to degenerate into the same mess the middle east and allot of the rest of the world is in. Indians,Germans,Hmong,Italians? What's the differance? We NEED to be one nation, (I hope under GOD) or we are doomed. Check into the Ojibway News, published by a guy named Bill Lawrance.

[Guest]

Gemclubjim;  So you do think the Native Americans should have a voice?  Then you are definitely the exception.  The manipulation of the facts and half truths do not benefit anyone, and they only spread like the gossip they are.  Not a single post so far has anything positive that would help the situation.  Instead it focuses on the "what's in it for me"  It's bad enough the Indians had most of their land stolen, and then exploited, but now talk of conspiring to take away their income too?  So far all I've seen is so called sportsmen becoming self centered to the point they resemble Washington politicians giving themselves a pay raise.<BR>

[Guest]

Goose- Do you think the Natives should replace the resource that they rape? I don't have any problems with sharing a resource as long as its taking care of with responsiblity. Take,take take and give nothing does not work as it did in Red Lake. Should the Natives still recieve my tax dollars every month even though the casino pulls $80 million a year in profit? Treat EVERYONE the same, EQUAL RIGHTS for ALL. People of color and religion for years have wanted to be treated the same, but when they get jobs from Affirmative Action and recieve welfare benefits, aren't they still being seperated from the majority because of the color of their skin? As far as not knowing the facts and giving false information, why don't you go up on the RES and interview a Native and get some facts. Find out why 2,000 people need 150,000 pounds of Walleye,and then ask what happends to all the Muskie,Pike,Perch,Smallmouth,and Tullipee that get caught in the nets.

[Guest]

G-Loomis; You've got some good points but I have to disagree on some.
Natives should replace the resource that they rape? More fish and game are are taken by non-natives, much more.
Should the Natives still recieve my tax dollars I don't think you'll ever come close, no matter how much you give to compensating those people for what was done to them.
Treat EVERYONE the same, EQUAL RIGHTS for ALL. Man I wish this one was true, but the Indians have NEVER been treated fair.
Affirmative Action and recieve welfare benefits, The two worst things that can be done to someone that needs help, and it's an American tradition rooted in guilt.
why don't you go up on the RES Been there, done that. I personally know several quite well. I think you would be shocked if really got a chance to talk to them.
Find out why 2,000 people need 150,000 pounds of Walleye, First, increase that by 50%, There are approximately 3,340 Band members. Second, decrease what they are allowed. Based on the first five-year management plan for the treaty fishery in Mille Lacs Lake, the 2002 tribal quota is 100,000 pounds of walleye, which will be allocated among eight Ojibwe bands. Thus, with walleye harvestable surplus at 400,000 pounds for 2002, the state allocation is 300,000 pounds of walleye. The natives are allowed to take one fourth of the total harvest. The Natives have NEVER taken their full quota, but the sportsmen have consistantly exceeded theirs.

[Guest]

Yes more fish and game are takin by non-band members who pay taxes,buy hunting and fishing liscenses, are educated in resource management and have to get up and go to work everyday. As a resident of the West shore of Lake Mille Lacs, i have spoken to many and know many of the Natives. What shocks me is the attitude i get is that I owe them something. I didn't run you off your land,I don't keep you from getting out of bed and going to work, I don't make you have children you can't support. I was not around back then. And there are many whites and other races who feel the tax payer and government "owes" them something, not just Natives. This is why myself and others just want equal rights. How many of these people stepped up to the plate in WWII,Nam,Korea or the Gulf war?

[Guest]

Considering the overall population, those that did enlist(if those numbers are accurate) or served, seems like an embarrasment. As far as the burial grounds, thats inconclusive. And the future, well that's in the hands of a current legal battle over the tribal boundries which will probably go to the Supreme Court. What is your opinion on the Supreme Court 5-4 vote that gave the tribe netting rights? Do you think 5-4 is just way too close for such a debated case if the Natives are deserved so much?

[Guest]

If you take those numbers as a percentage of their population, they exceeded all others in enlisting. The netting? I personally think there shouldn't be a single net allowed on any lake. I've hooked into a couple of those huge commercial nets, on Lake Michigan, loaded with literally tons of rotten fish. They are too easily exploited at the cost of the resources, in my opinion. Have you been able to take advantage of that walleye bite this year? It sounds like it will be a once in a lifetime experiance.....<*)))><

[Guest]

G-Loomis; You are absolutely right, you didn't throw them off of their land. But look at it from their point of view, you still occupy land that was taken illegally. Many of those lake homes were built on sacred burial grounds. How would you feel if the Japanese threw you out of your house, off of your land, and put a resort on the cemetery where your parents and relatives were buried? The US government has repeatedly told them they would make it right, not sure how they plan on pulling that one off.

How many of these people stepped up to the plate in WWII,Nam,Korea or the Gulf war?
This one might shock you.

WWI
More than 12,000 Native Americans fought in World War I.

WWII
The Code Talkers joined 44,000 Native Americans in combat.

Korea
Although no firm figures exist, it is estimated that 15,000 Native Americans saw action in Korea. The warrior tradition describes the heroic actions of the three Native Americans awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War.

Vietnam
During the Vietnam War, close to 90% of the 86,000 Indians who enlisted volunteered, giving Native Americans the highest record of service per capita of any ethnic group. Over half served in combat."

The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 44, has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in recogni-tion of the minority veterans who served in World War II.

The United States Defense Department tallied a total of 2,726 Native American women currently serving in the armed forces, including the Coast Guard, as of March 2001.
American Indians have served with distinction in United States military actions for over 200 years.

Native American veterans fought other important battles as well -- battles against prejudice, ignorance, and discrimination. Many gave their lives on foreign soil for the freedom they had never fully shared at home.

Hope you enjoy the fishing while it lasts up there, it sounds like it is headed for one heck of a crash in the near future. I guess time will tell?