Seasons of the Ojibwe
It was in July 1998, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would hear Minnesota's appeal of the Mille Lacs decision that a number of GLIFWC tribal leaders and staff sought guidance through a Shaking Tent ceremony at Lac du Flambeau led by Ojibwe brothers from Canada. The coming together in a traditional Ojibwe manner and incorporation of Ojibwe beliefs served as a foundation for action as the tribes, attorneys and GLIFWC staff confronted the significant events of the upcoming year. As such, the Shaking Tent Ceremony may be an appropriate symbol for GLIFWC's 1998 year when treaty rights and the Ojibwe people were once more put to the test with a formidable threat posed to their treaty-reserved rights.
1998 began with good spirits. Following favorable decisions from the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1997, treaty rights were exercised in Minnesota's 1837 Treaty Area for the first full season under the court stipulations. Members of Wisconsin's Red Cliff, Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Mole Lake and St. Croix Bands joined Mille Lacs and Fond du Lac members in a successful spring harvest.
However, the tribes did not savor the harvest long before the announcement in June 1998 that the U.S. Supreme Court would hear Minnesota's appeal of the Mille Lacs decision. Member tribes and staff quickly realized that some issues in the appeal could be far-reaching and potentially impact treaty rights nationally. The mood turned somber, and GLlFWC's member tribes and staff looked to supporting the legal efforts in the Supreme Court however possible.
GLIFWC's response was twofold: 1) law and science; and 2) cultural and spiritual. GLIFWC approached the new challenge by providing significant information gathered over 14 years of successful treaty seasons in Wisconsin and by making GLIFWC's professional, legal and scientific staff available as experts, legal drafters and overall sounding boards to tribal attorneys.
GLIFWC also sought spiritual counsel and promoted Ojibwe solidarity through ceremonies during the Madeline Island Treaty Conference where the treaties were feasted in September 1998. Attorneys submitted briefs in November 1998 but only after ceremonies and smudging of the briefs. The necessity of bringing the Treaty Staff to the Supreme Court hearing was revealed, and the Staff was carried through the Waabanong Run from Lac du Flambeau to Washington, D.C. The Run began with ceremonies and runners were given a "traveling song" by Tobasonakwut Kinew, Ojibways of Onigaming.
In Washington, D.C., a ceremonial fire was lit by Leo LeFernier, Red Cliff, and tended for four days before the December 2 Supreme Court hearing. Around the Fire leadership from GLIFWC's member tribes, attorneys, tribal members, GLIFWC staff, and tribal representatives from around the country gathered for prayer and spiritual strength.
It was a spiritual power that accompanied the people as they walked to the Supreme Court building that morning of December 2. On the steps of the Supreme Court, the beat of the Drum and the voices of Ojibwe singers, pierced by the shrill call of the Eagle Whistle, accompanied attorneys into the court building where the Treaty Staff was finally carried. All was part of an ongoing prayer that the Gitchi Manito Giizhe watch over the Ojibwe people and protect their treaty rights.
Thankfulness greeted news of the favorable Supreme Court ruling on March 24, 1999. Miigwetch for the prayers and support from all member tribes and leaders! Miigwetch Gitchi Manito Giizhe!
