LANSING, MI (MPRN)-- Five Michigan Indian tribes have decided to challenge the state’s decision to hold a wolf hunt in the western U.P. this coming fall. As we hear from Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta, they say the wolf hunt violates a treaty:
Specifically, the tribes of the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority say the state did not consult with them in a meaningful way before establishing a gray wolf season, and that’s required by a 2007 consent decree.
Aaron Payment leads the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewas. He says the wolf is sacred in tribal culture and the hunting season disrespects that.
“The five tribes that are a party to the consent decree are unified that we are going to take some steps," he says, "and we’re not exactly sure what that is at this point, but we’re not happy with the outcome.”
Payment says the treaty gives the tribes options including mediating a resolution or going to court.
The state says the tribes were consulted as part of the process that set up a wolf season in the western U-P.
For the Michigan Public Radio Network, I’m Rick Pluta in Lansing.