1854 Treaty Authority News

by Morgan Swingen,  1854 Treaty Authority Wildlife Biologist 

This spring, a strain of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or “avian flu”) has been circulating in wild birds. As these wild birds have been migrating back north for the summer, the virus has been spreading to both wild and domestic birds. 

This strain of avian flu appears to have the greatest impact on wild birds such as waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) and raptors (eagles, hawks, owls). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) has been collecting information on observations of sick and dead wild birds, and has been testing birds in areas where the virus has not yet been confirmed. So far, the virus has been detected in wild birds in 29 counties of Minnesota. More information on avian influenza in wild birds in Minnesota, including a map of positive detections, can be found on the MN DNR’s website: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildlifedisease/avian-influenza.html

Another main concern about the current strain of avian flu circulating is the impact on domestic birds such as poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks). This strain of avian flu can quickly kill domestic birds, and is easily transmissible between birds. When a domestic bird tests positive for HPAI, the entire flock must be euthanized to prevent further spread of the disease. This is a major issue in commercial farms that produce eggs and meat from these birds. Minnesota is the number one producer of turkeys in the United States, with farms concentrated in the central and west-central parts of the state. More information on avian flu in domestic birds in Minnesota is available from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health: https://www.bah.state.mn.us/hpai/

If you see a sick or dead wild bird, you should not handle it, but should report it to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. People with backyard poultry flocks should do their best to keep domestic birds separate from wild birds, regularly inspect their flocks, and report any sick or dead birds to the board of animal health for testing.

The current strain of avian flu can be spread to humans from birds, but is uncommon outside of poultry farmers and is considered a low risk to the public.

 photo by Rick Anderson, 2022

https://heartofthecontinent.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4^th, 2022

Contact: Glenn D. DelGiudice, moose project leader, 651-539-3314

DNR Researchers More Optimistic About Moose Population Wellbeing, Immediate Future

For the 11th year in a row, Minnesota’s moose population remains relatively stable. The 2022 population survey estimates the moose population at 4,700, statistically unchanged from the last survey, which was conducted in 2020.

Although there is no statistically significant change in the estimated population relative to 2020, this year’s estimated number of moose is the highest since 2011, when the population was midway through a steep decline.

Additionally, calves comprised an estimated 19% of the population and the estimated calf-cow ratio was 45 calves per 100 cows. This is the highest both indicators have been since 2005, when the population was near its peak and considered healthy. Both factors are indicators of potential improvement in reproductive success, which has a positive impact on population numbers.

While the continued population stability and indicators of reproductive success are good news, DNR researchers point out that Minnesota moose remain at risk long term. Presently, the moose population is 47% lower than its peak in 2006.

Both the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and personnel for the annual survey. The survey is available on the DNR’s moose management page.

Find more information about moose in Minnesota on the DNR’s moose management page (mndnr.gov/Moose).

1854 Treaty Authority's 2022 Ziigwan (spring) newsletter is now available!

It introduces the interactive 1854 Ceded Territory Fish Consumption Map. Check out opportunities in stewarding our relatives - like contributing your sugar bush data as we draw inferences as to how ininaatigoog is handling a changing climate, and helping reduce storm water erosion with a FREE rain barrel. Get involved in #Noojitoon, 1854’s outdoor scavenger hunt on Instagram. Included is a taste of Resource Management’s 2021 annual reports, reminders on changes to the Eagle parts request application process and changes to State Park entry for Tribal members. Join us in welcoming the return of Brown Thrasher and the rest of the birds as they prepare to nest.


READ IT HERE

Looking for adventure this summer? ZOOM in with us - learn about the outdoor, summer jobs available to Native Youth in NE Minnesota.

Tuesday April 5th, 2022

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Watch the RECORDED EVENT HERE

Please let us know you are coming: REGISTER HERE

ZOOM Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83791744540

Have an OUTDOOR job you would like to promote? Contact Marne: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This past week at the Authority…

  Most Resource Management staff attended the St. Louis River Estuary Summit, which was hosted by the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (the “NERR”) at UW-Superior. Talks and events took place both virtually and in person. Education/Outreach staff led bawa’iganaakoog making (manoomin harvesting sticks) at a River Talk during the St. Louis River Summit Tuesday evening.  

Invasive Species staff are keeping tabs on a few radio tagged Chinese Mystery snails, to understand their overwintering habits, get a better idea on their movement and lake areas utilized, and hopefully shed some light on potential control efforts. On the terrestrial invasives front, staff hit the road for Emerald Ash Borer surveillance. 

The 1854 Division heads joined both Bois Forte and Grand Portage councils on Wednesday in a meeting with the Minnesota DNR commissioner and staff as part of annual consultation.

And to highlight the more glamorous side of science, wildlife staff hit the field to collect deer pellets! This is part of an ongoing study to assess potential parasite transmission in overlapping deer and moose range: brainworm and liver fluke. Read more on the project here: https://www.1854treatyauthority.org/management/biological-resources/fisheries/reports.html?id=255&task=document.viewdoc

The Nature Conservancy in MN seeks two Manoomin/Psiŋ (Wild Rice) Interns to participate in a collaborative climate adaptation project designed to provide meaningful experience relating to native/indigenous cultural ecology, environmental communication, wild rice lake ecology and monitoring, and climate adaptation in MN and WI. Manoomin and Psin are the Ojibwe and Dakota names for wild rice, respectively. The internships will support an interdisciplinary team of traditional ecological knowledge-keepers, natural resource managers, and social and environmental scientists seeking to understand: “What can Manoomin teach us about restoring ecological and social relationships and adapting to climate change?” The interns will learn about wild rice through research, relationships and direct field experience. Interns will also help raise awareness about wild rice ecological & cultural significance and foster respect, responsibility, & adaptation. 

This is designed as a 10–12 week full-time summer position (35 hours per week). The position timing is somewhat flexible, with a preferred start date of in early July in order to enable overlap with wild rice harvesting and processing season in August and early September. However, we will work with the selected applicants to determine a workable schedule, not to exceed 12 weeks/420 hours, including some flexibility on start /end dates. This position will require both office work and field work. There are two possible base office locations for this position, located in downtown Minneapolis, MN or in Cushing, MN. Due to COVID-19, office work may need to be conducted remotely; however, basic computing and other equipment needed to conduct job activities will be provided. This may allow greater flexibility for home base locations for interns. TNC-sponsored housing may be an option for interns near the Cushing, MN office. Field work will be conducted at a variety of locations throughout north central Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, therefore willingness and ability to travel will be necessary at certain times. This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Interns will be provided with travel accommodations for field visits. Typical work schedule is Monday–Friday 9:00 am–5:00 pm with very occasional weekend events.    

The compensation for this position is $15 per hour, in addition to benefits.  Applicants will need to use the Conservancy’s online system to apply.  For more information about the position or to apply, please go to careers.nature.org and search system job ID # 51043 (or search on job title).  Applications will close March 25, 2022.

1854's Resource Management Division is hiring three (3) seasonal positions; a Fish and Wildlife Aide, and two (2) Invasive Species Aides. Application materials (including application for employment) are due March 18^th, 2022.

• Follow @1854TA on Instagram
• Starting February 7th, 2022, 1854 will post a seasonal, photo-cropped "clue". You have one week to get outside, capture a snapshot and message us an image of the object along with #noojitoon
• If you figure out the clue and message us before the week is up and the answer is revealed, you get 2 entries into the prize drawing. If you message us after we provide the answer, you get1 entry into the prize drawing.
• 1854 will post a new clue about every 2 weeks.
• At the end of the year, we will draw a WINNER to take home a survival backpack equipped 'With all the goods to keep you going strong on all your outdoor adventures’!
• By submitting Instagram photos to the 1854 Outdoor Scavenger Hunt, you agree that your submission may be posted on the 1854 Treaty Authority Instagram page, newsletter and/or website, and that your submission is original content created by you that does not violate any third party rights.

As of January 1^st, 2022, American Indians who are members of federally recognized Tribes within Minnesota’s borders can access each of Minnesota’s 75 state parks and recreation areas free or charge. This ensures Tribal members’ access to ancestral lands, and acknowledges the importance for continued community visitation to culturally significant places. The Minnesota DNR successfully worked with the Governor’s office and the State Legislature to change the law so Tribal members can obtain a state park vehicle permit at no cost. 

When the law changed, the Minnesota DNR coordinated with Tribal government representatives to ensure a welcoming and effective approach. Each of the eleven federally recognized Tribes participated in coordination meetings with DNR staff to determine how Tribal membership is defined, and the kind of identification needed for members to receive a permit. 

To receive a state park vehicle permit, Tribal members must present one of the following at the park office: 

• Tribal identification card
• a certificate of Indian blood
• an 1854 Treaty Authority Window Cling
• 1854 Treaty Authority ID card
• Tribal license plates displayed on a vehicle

If the office is closed, self-payment envelopes can be used at the park entrance with “Tribal Permit” written over the payment section (shown below). Check with your Tribal government if systems are in place to obtain permits through them.  Additional information on Minnesota state park vehicle permits can be found HERE. 

Congratulations to our 2021 Youth Deer Hunt raffle drawing winner! Miigwech Angeline for participating in this past season’s 1854 deer hunt and continuing the practice of treaty harvest. Not only did Angeline put her time in in the woods but was also successful in bringing home waawaashkeshi wiiyaas! Angeline scored a Browning Spec Ops EDGE 20-Megapixel Trail Camera. You go girl! We need more tribal youth like you to carry on these traditions. #beagoodancestor

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE  

NEWS RELEASE

For Release: Through February 28^th, 2022

Contact: Alejandro Morales, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 612-713-5175 

Future Native Conservation Leaders Are Encouraged to Apply for the Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress 

The National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia will be hosting the 8^th annual Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress, starting June 26 – June 30, 2022. The mission of the Native Youth Congress is to develop future conservation leaders with skills, knowledge, and tools and address environmental change and conservation to better serve their schools and home communities.   

While exploring culture, tradition and science to answer a big question posed at the beginning of the week, students will lead the congress and focus on major challenges in their communities. The students create themes based on their initial answers to the big question. These themes will emphasize the importance of language, elders, political involvement, traditional values, cultural preservation, and social-economic and environmental awareness.  

“The Native Youth Congress has grown over the years into a multi-faceted program that provides an open safe space for students to learn about other cultures and environmental issues while gaining confidence in their own cultural values,” says Native Youth Congress co-coordinator Jenn Hill. “We developed the native youth adaptation congress to reflect their identity, empower their future and the next generation of conservation leaders.”  

 See the PROGRAM FLYER

Tribal youth groups interested in joining the Native Youth Congress should have between 3-5 students, consist of rising high school seniors, be a part of a federally recognized Native American tribe, and sophomores and juniors will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications for this program can be found at NYCALC.org and will be accepted December 1^st - February 28^th, 2022.   

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work, visit  http://www.fws.gov/. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel and download photos from our Flickr page. 

-FWS-

Join the Finldand Wild Rice Project in learning important aspects of manoomin biology, current conservation efforts and how it is monitored. Wednesday, January 26th, at 5:30pm, they host 1854 Treaty Authority Resource Management Division Director, Darren Vogt. In a webinar open to the public, they look at ways in which harvesters can help in the wild rice monitoring and protection efforts happening around the state. This event continues to the Finland Wild Rice Project's goal of distributing a series of educational modules related to the historical, health, cultural, environmental and economic benefits of wild rice in local food systems and the ecology, harvesting and processing of wild rice.

REGISTER HERE: https://finlandwildrice.com/?p=558

1854 Treaty Authority’s 2021/2022 Biboon (winter) newsletter is now available!

It features NEW treaty boundary signage, changes to the eagle parts request process through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and announces the first of our 2022 virtual program series. Within is an update on a variety of Resource Management projects, and a reminder on clan systems – or traditional community roles. Join us in welcoming our new Conservation Enforcement Officer, Marty Stage.

Agindan!: (read it HERE)