Contacting the Office:
Julie Morin, Acting Native American Specialist
e-mail: Julie_Morin@fws.gov
BHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
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Return to Tribal Grants Main Page
2006 Tribal
Wildlife Grants Program
$159,152
Lake Sturgeon (ACIPENSER FULVESCENS) Reintroduction into the Headwaters of
the Largest Tributary to the Red River of the North in the United States
Pat Brown – 218-679-3959
2005 Tribal
Wildlife Grant
$241,788
Red Lake Wildlife Habitat Maintenance, Enhancement and Evaluation Project (Phase
2)
2003 Tribal Wildlife
Grant
$247,007
Red Lake Wildlife Habitat Preservation and Maintenance, Enhancement and
Evaluation Project
Jay Huseby, 218-679-3959
Service Helping Red
Lake Tribe's Walleye Restoration Effort
The Ashland Fishery Resources
Office (FRO) is continuing to work with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa,
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and staff from the University
of Minnesota to restore a naturally spawning population of walleye in Red
Lake. During a meeting with the Red Lake Task Force December 5, Frank Stone
from Ashland FRO discussed the 2002 walleye stocking program, performance
indicators and law enforcement components of this long term restoration
effort. The Committee reconfirmed its desire to rehabilitate the walleye
population in the Red Lake and to ensure that fish stocks are conserved
for the cultural, recreational, social, and economic benefit of all. Several
key elements were discussed at this meeting: The two previous walleye fry
stockings have successfully recruited into this fishery; fry stocking will
not be conducted in 2002 due to a possible suppression effect on the previous
year classes; fry stocking will most likely occur in 2003, the Red Lake
DNR may want to continue spring trawling efforts to assess forage fish
abundance; the Minnesota DNR has enacted a regulation change for next spring
that will make it illegal to ""fish for walleye"" within
the Red Lakes; the draft walleye recovery progress report will be mailed
by January 31; the next meeting will be held on March 14th. Historically,
the Red Lakes have provided food, recreation, cultural pursuits, and income
to many people. If this restoration effort succeeds, it may well be the
single most successful natural resource event ever accomplished within
the State of Minnesota. Government leadership, cooperation, and coordination
have been paramount throughout this process. All parties have demonstrated
a willingness to provide leadership by example to achieve the community
support and involvement required to reach the goals of the Red Lake recovery
effort.
Partners: Red
Lake Band of Chippewa, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and staff
from the University of Minnesota
Agassiz NWR Fall Burns
Nearly 5000 Acres
Despite receiving eight
inches of snow October 24, 6 units of Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
were treated by prescribed fire between Oct.1 and Nov.19, 2001. A total
of 4,860 acres were burned as follows: Pool 8: 10/1 & 11/19 - 200 acres
(Lost burn window & winds dropped); Goose Pen: 10/18 & 11/13- 520
acres (Terra Torch failed first time); Parker Pool: 11/16 -2420 acres;
Headquarters Pool: 11/17 -1560 acres; Golden Valley: 11/19 - 160 acres.
Fall burns are difficult because of the narrow window of time in a day
that effective burning can occur. All burning operations at Agassiz require
a minimum of seven qualified people or more. We could not have completed
these burns without the following assistance: Detroit Lakes WMD: Steve
Schumacher, Dave Davis (Ryan & Pat Wagner); Thief River Falls Private
Lands: John Braastad; Tamarac NWR: Tom Franklin; Union Slough NWR: Dan
Angelo; Red Lake Band of the Chippewa: Richard & Delbert. Problems:
Terra Torch is still not operating at full potential; furlough of fire
tech.-took some time to bring back on board; lack of station staff; 'Deer
Season' forced us to shut down burning operation for 9 days. Even so -
burning in mid November is an unusual occurrence...a rare gift from Mother
Nature and we appreciated it.
Offices Involved: R3-Agassiz
NWR R3-Tamarac NWR R3-Union Slough NWR R3-Private Lands R3-Detroit Lakes
WMD
Resource Outputs: Six
Units were burned on six different days. A total of 4,860 acres were actually
burned. Two units had two ignition days. In addition to Agassiz staff (8),
5 people from 4 other USFWS stations assisted on one burn or another. Two
intermittent fire fighters were hired from school for a weekend burn and
2 members of the Red Lake Band Of the Chippewa DNR assisted on a burn.
Partners: Red
Lake Band of the Chippewa DNR
Service Partnerships
Highlighted in Tribal Publications
Recent activities conducted
as partners with tribes in Region 3 were highlighted in several tribal
publications. Articles and photos depicting the tribal/Service activities
were printed in the Red Lake Nation News (Vol.11 Issue 4), Chippewa Ottawa
Resource Authority News letter (Vol.4 No.4) and the Native American Fish
and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) Quarterly publication Eagle''s Nest (Vol.14
Fall 2001). Articles included: a framed signed print of the Brandenburg
Prairie Poster presented to Chairman Whitefeather in appreciation of the
first tribal hosting of an ecosystem meeting; Service recognition of Faith
McGruther, Regional Director (Great Lakes Region NAFWS) for her leadership
and organizational efforts in support of the resource conference for the
past eight years with a signed framed copy of the Brandenburg Foundation ""Prairie
Poster'; and the historic and quiet ceremony conducted by Dwight "Bucko" Teeple,
Pipe Carrier from the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan, as he stood
on the shores of the wetland harboring an experimental flock of eight endangered
whooping cranes and used the traditional pipe and burned sacred tobacco
to spiritually bless the cranes as they began their migration flight.
Offices Involved: R3-Neal
Smith NWR R3-Necedah NWR R3-External Affairs
Resource Outputs: Service
Cooperative activities with tribal partners are an important part of managing
the nation's natural resources. These cooperative efforts become more visible
and gain greater visibility when the outcomes and results are carried by
both partner agencies. It is important to strengthen the partnership ties
between resource cooperators and having the tribal news outlets carry the
Tribal/Service stories is a critical link.
Partners: Red
Lake Nation MN, Bay Mills Tribe MI, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority
Notes: The tribal
cultural and spiritual relevance to our crane recovery project adds a partnership
dimension and establishes a GPRA link for tribal Partnerships. The crane
blessing was the only tribal involvement for the migrating cranes. An attempt
to have tribal involvement on their arrival in Florida was not successful.
American Bison Provided
to Red Lake Nation and Winnebago Tribe
Sixty-four bison were
captured during the annual roundup Oct. 29 at Neal Smith National Wildlife
Refuge in central Iowa. Each bison was checked for general health condition,
eye injuries and diseases common to bovine species. Blood and hair samples
were taken to monitor genetic diversity within the herd. To protect the
health of the prairie within the current bison enclosure, the refuge herd
will be maintained at about 35 bison. Three experienced 'cowboys' from
the National Bison Range in Montana used their skills to assist in the
roundup. Thirty-six bison were made available for sealed bid purchase and
to local county conservation boards or Native American tribes. The conservation
boards use the animals in educational programs. Native Americans
start new herds or increase genetic diversity of existing herds. Sixteen
bison were provided to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa in northern Minnesota
and 16 went to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Four bison were given to
the Buchanon, Black Hawk and Jasper County Conservation Boards of Iowa.
The bison roundup will be held annually to keep the herd size compatible
with the available forage.
Offices Involved: R3-Neal
Smith NWR R3-External Affairs
Resource Outputs: Bison
are a native animal that have a prominent role in the traditional and cultural
tribal values. This was the first year for a Region 3 refuge to Participate
in the Inter-tribal Bison Commission. The excess bison from Neal Smith
NWR provided an important link in the Service/Tribal partnership and contributed
to the Partnership GPRA goal.
Partners: Neal
Smith NWR, Red Lake Nation (MN), Winnebago Tribe (NE)
Notes: The bison
from Neal Smith were welcomed by the Red Lake Nation and the Winnebago
Tribe in Region 6. An article describing the event was prepared and published
in Red Lake Nation News.
Headwaters/Tallgrass
Prairie Ecosystem team has successful meeting
The Headwaters/Tallgrass
Prairie Ecosystem team held a very successful winter meeting at Minnesota
Valley NWR on Feb. 26-27, 2002. The team wanted to continue to expand our
partnering efforts. This was accomplished by inviting new partners to present
their programs. Representatives from two new partners, Red River Basin
Institute and Bois Forte Reservation along with staff from the Red Lake
Natural Resources Department, White Earth Department of Natural Resources,
Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Board of Water and Soil Resources and
the Corps of Engineers. Information shared by the visiting agencies will
assist in developing new partnerships. Several regional office staff members
were present and provided updates on their programs. Products which resulted
from the meeting were the establishment of two new subgroups, one dealing
with drainage issues which will be lead by Steve Delehanty; the other a
biologists subgroup which will increase involvement by staff biologists.
Dave Connor from Red Lake Reservation told the group of their concern for
the Circle of Flight program. This program was not included in the President's
budget and Dave requested support from FWS and the Ecosystem team.
Resource Outputs: Two
new sub-groups were formed, the first will deal with drainage issues and
the second will be a biologists based group. The team will seek support
of the regional director for the circle of flight program. Additionally
approximately 80 resource managers from several agencies attended the invertebrate
workshop which was held in conjunction with the team meeting.
Partners: Red
Lake DNR White Earth DNR Minnesota DNR Red River Basin Institute Minnesota
Waterfowl Association Board of Water and Soil Resources US Corps of Engineers
Nett Lake Reservation
Red Lake Tribe Celebrates
Youth Fishing Day at Minnesota Valley Refuge
Members of the Red Lake
tribe joined Service personnel to celebrate National Fishing and Boating
Week by sponsoring Youth Fishing Day June 8, 2002, at the Minnesota National
Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington, Minn. Ten other sponsors participated in
the all day event which provided a four-hour morning session for inner
city youth and an afternoon session open to the public. Fish learning stations
(Pathway to Fishing), minnow races, casting competitions and plenty of
pond fishing kept youth interested and engaged. Loaner rods and bait were
provided to participants and 50 volunteers kept the hooks baited and the
lines untangled. Red Lake, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the 1854 Authority
participated as experts at the learning stations and prepared a walleye
lunch for the inner city youth and volunteers. An estimated 250 individuals
participated in the event and over half were youth. This is the 12th consecutive
year for the event.
Offices Involved: R3-Minnesota
Valley NWR R3-External Affairs
Partners: Red
Lake Nation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1854 Authority, General Mills, Gander
Mountain, Doubletree Hotel, Holiday Inn, Optimist International (Richfield
Club), Cypress and Sinclair Station (Lakeville, MN)
Notes: This partnership
outreach has occurred for each of the past twelve years. An average of
150 inner city youth have been provided the opportunity to participate
in the interactive recreational fishing event. The number of partners and
sponsors have grown from three to over ten and the number of participants
each year has doubled over the twelve year period. Events such as this
have demonstrated the benefits of partners working cooperatively and the
importance of outreach to the inner city youth and their communities. Tribal
partnership is a high priority for the Service and this event which features
4 tribal organizational entities supports partnership interaction and contributes
to the Service GPRA goal.
Red Lake Walleye Fishery
Continues to Improve
In cooperation with the
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources, the Ashland Fisheries Resources Office continued bottom trawling
for the fifth year to assess the abundance of juvenile walleye and forage
fish in Minnesota's Upper and Lower Red Lakes. Although complete analysis
of the data is not finished, preliminary data indicates the walleye fishery
is continuing to improve. In 2000, trawling was expanded to include the
eastern half of the Upper Red Lake under the jurisdiction of the DNR. In
accordance with the Red Lake Walleye Restoration Plan, this survey is used
by the tribe and DNR to determine the status of walleye recruitment, the
success of stocking efforts in the wake of a declining walleye fishery,
and the status of forage fish stocks for supporting walleyes. A total of
81 million walleye fry were stocked in 1999 and 2001 combined. A total
of 60 tows of 5-minute duration were completed during the week of August
12th. An analysis of the data has not been completed, but preliminary observation
indicated an average of 1.5 to 2.0 juvenile walleye per tow, similar to
2001. However, unlike 2001 several adult walleyes were captured this year.
Adult walleyes are usually successful in evading the bottom trawl unless
they are abundant. The fact that several adult as well as age 2 specimens
were captured is an indicator that walleye abundance has improved. It was
assumed that these specimens were likely representative of the 1999 and
2001 stockings, and all were captured in the same tow. The most common
species captured were yellow perch, freshwater drum, spottail shiner, black
crappie and walleye. Year class strength for yellow perch and freshwater
drum is strong, while year class strength for spottail shiner and black
crappie could be described as fair. These annual bottom trawling assessments
are being used in conjunction with other sampling techniques to monitor
the effectiveness of the Red Lake Walleye Restoration Plan consisting of
restocking and more restrictive catch regulations.
Partners: Red
Lake Tribal Natural Resources Dept., Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Mississippi Headwaters
and Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem Team Converges on Neal Smith Refuge
Big bluestem, Indiangrass,
rattlesnake master, cardinal flower and a diverse variety of other prairie
endemics greeted members of the Mississippi Headwaters and Tallgrass Prairie
ecosystem team at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on August 27 and
28, 2002. The team gathered at Neal Smith Refuge to discuss a number of
ecologically significant issues, rejuvenate long-standing partnerships
and facilitate emerging opportunities to work on landscape scale projects.
Presenters from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State University,
Polk County Conservation Board, University of South Dakota and Red Lake
Department of Natural Resources discussed topics including the use of butterflies
as indicators of prairie restoration success; the hydro logic, hydraulic
and water quality impacts of Neal Smith Refuge on Walnut Creek watershed;
carbon sequestration in a prairie environment; restoration of the Skunk
River flood plain in Polk and Jasper Counties, Iowa and a volunteer''s
perspective on prairie seed collection and production. The Biological Subgroup
of the ecosystem team sponsored a biologist's forum which featured
presentations on the mathematics of waterfowl production, landscape features
that affect grassland bird abundance, research on Least and Pectoral Sandpipers
in western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota and on-going habitat manipulations
on the Good Lake project on the Red Lake reservation in Minnesota. Additional
topics discussed during the meeting included farmland drainage and pattern
tiling, Gulf Hypoxia and Chronic Wasting Disease. The reigns of team leadership
were passed from Scott Yess (LaCrosse Fisheries Resources Office) to Nancy
Gilbertson (Neal Smith Refuge). Mary Stefanski (Rice Lake Refuge) was nominated
and elected as team leader elect while Kevin Brennan (Fergus Falls Wetland
Management District) volunteered to serve on the executive committee. Upon
conclusion of the ""indoor"" portion of the meeting,
the team converged on a portion of restored prairie and harvested native
prairie seed. Using bags, buckets and the expert assistance of Neal Smith
staff and volunteers, the team harvested approximately 1,160 bulk ounces
of Smooth Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis), 570 bulk ounces of Purple Prairie
Clover (Dalea purpurea) and 160 bulk ounces of Wild Quinine (Parthenium
integrifolium). The commercial value of these seeds varies from $10 to
$15 an ounce! The seed will be used to continue the restoration of vegetatively
diverse prairie at Neal Smith Refuge. Offices Involved: R3-Mississippi
Headwaters Ecosystem Team
Resource Outputs: Collected
approximately 1,890 bulk ounces of prairie seed which will be used to establish
'new' prairie in central Iowa
Partners: Iowa
Department of Natural Resources, Geologic Survey Division Iowa Department
of Natural Resources, Wildlife Polk County Conservation Board, Red Lake
Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State University Coop. Unit Iowa
State University, Entomology
Ashland Fishery Office
Assists with Native American Conference
The Ashland Fishery Resources
Office was asked by the Great Lakes Region of the Native American Fish
and Wildlife Society to assist with technical session agenda development
for the 2002 Regional Conference. This year''s regional meeting was hosted
by the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians. Assistance was given to Dave
Conner of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in putting together the
Wednesday afternoon Biological Session. Tribal fish and wildlife work from
around the region was highlighted. Subject matter of presentations included:
sturgeon restoration, walleye restoration, prairie restoration, prairie
chicken research, waterfowl habitat work and moose research.
Resource Outputs: The
Ashland Fishery Resources Office was asked by the Great Lakes Region of
the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society to assist with technical
session agenda development for the 2002 Regional Conference. Tribal fish
and wildlife work from around the region was highlighted.
Partners: Red
Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, BIA
