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Ojibwe fishermen launch their boats in shallow water in the Great Lakes at dusk. They shine flashlights into the water looking for the iridescent shimmer of walleye eyes. In an age-old tradition, they take their catch with a spear. The tradition and tribes’ right to spearfish is affirmed in past treaties and legal decisions. Still, Native fishers face occasional confrontations by uninformed non-Native fishermen. We’ll hear about the cultural significance of spearfishing as well as some history of past political tensions of subsistence fishing.
Guests:
Biskakone Johnson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) – language and art teacher for the Lac du Flambeau Tribe
Jason Bisonette (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) – K-12 dean of students at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School and a spearfisherman
John Gilbert – director of biological service at the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission
Mic Isham (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) – executive administrator for the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission and former chairman of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe
Break 1 music: Straight Song (song) Pyawasits, Silas & Webster (artist) Wild Rice: Songs From The Menominee Nation (album)
Break 2 music: Na Makua (song) Henry Kapono (artist) The Wild Hawaiian (album)
