Keep beating the same drum , this is amusing. And yes please explain the lawsuit and how much each side spent and who started it. Please don't leave out any pertinent details either.

What drum I am I beating? What do you find so amusing?

Fishorgolf
So your basically saying create state run casinos that will no doubt hurt other tribes (who do not nett) because mille lacs nets?

Really? who kept pushing? The courts upheld an agreement that was already there. I don't think that Grand Casino's money was around in 1837. Now please explain the details of this law suit, you said you could.

I have been following this thread very closely, not only here but also from other websites. Personally, I am more upset with our Federal and our local State Government. These are my personal opinions and do not reflect the views of this website. I am not trying to bash anyone but just expressing my feelings towards our Government.
The majority of the Gill Netters are from the Wisconsin band. I understand that Native Minnesota DNR and to all Tax Payers in Minnesota, “Are there any lakes that they can net locally in Wisconsin?” Bye the way, Wisconsin has 3 lines limit per person while Minnesota has only 1 line limit (1 line open water and 2 lines winter). There are so many other rules/regulations that are tougher in MN as compared to WI. I know that Minnesota has a much larger population per square mile than Wisconsin. Why should we as tax payers in Minnesota be responsible for allowing the Native Americans from Wisconsin to exercise their netting rights at Lake Mille Lacs? I would be willing to boycott or give up my hunting, fishing, and boating rights just to prove a point to the Minnesota DNR. We are already seeing a decline in theAmericans have every right to net any lake they want. I only have one question to the Hunting/Fishing revenues due to lower license sales. It appears that the DNR keeps inventing new ways to create fines by changing their slots/limits and creating new enforcement laws against already declining public participation. We all know the impact to local economy around Lake Mille Lacs. These slots/limits changes have affected the economy in many ways. Whatever happened to “We the people”? Our Government representatives are elected by the people and they should represent our values.
The Federal Government, the GLIFWC, and the Minnesota DNR need to treat everyone equally. I completely understand that the Native Americans were here before any of us and they have strong heritages. Let’s pretend for a moment that everyone was treated equal. Not only the Native Americans living in Minnesota and Wisconsin are allowed to net, but everyone in the State of Minnesota was also granted the same privileges to net Lake Mille Lacs. What do you think will happen to Lake Mille Lacs? If you must think about this, let me provide you one example, “UPPER RED LAKE”. Let’s take this further… If we as Tax Payers did not restock Upper Red Lake and if the entire state of Minnesota was allowed to gill net like our Native Americans, which lake is next? Where will the Wisconsin band and the entire State of Minnesota do our netting next? Do we all go into Iowa and into the Dakotas? Unfortunately, the Minnesota residents cannot do their nettings in either States (due to State Laws). If we all recall history, there were wars between the Native Americans. I cannot imagine any band accepting/welcoming another band with open arms and knowing in their hearts that the new comer will decimate their land and return home to their native grounds. Just a thought…

No that is not what I am saying. What I am saying is that if we can get over the lock the bands have on the Dem. party in this state we can get something passed were it can even be possible for the creation of state run casinos! With the Dem's in control it will NEVER happen. To get back to netting, there is not reason at all to use the leverage of state casinos against casinos such as Morton, Praire island, Red lake etc. because they have nothing to do with the netting on ML. Again! I am all for band gaming! What I have a problem with is gill netting! I also know that the band will chose exclusive gaming rights over netting. And I do not think this is a bad thing do you?

The treaty was made in 1837 before MN was a state. The federal goverment reconized the ancesters of the people presently netting on mille lacs as the owners and chose to negotiate with said bands of ojibway. It doesnt matter where they live thats who this treaty was made with and they had the foresite to reserve hunting, fishing and gathering rights to it.

Ahh Pawlenty is a republican aint he? Didnt he already try this? All tribes would have to come to the table on this what would be in it for the ones who dont nett? Why would they want to renegotiate there gaming pact they have with the state? Makes no sense gaming has nothing to due with this issue. The state could not single out mille lacs because of netting and the rest of the tribes should'nt be "punished" for it either right? So how would this be accomplished?

Do you really know and understand what you are commenting about? I am all to aware of the rules of this forum and will not get into this to far here. If you are really knowledgeable about this subject and want to have a informed and respectful conversation I would really like to sit down with you and talk. What do you think?

It's no secret that the tribes have supported Democratic parties in MN that represent their "core values." By heavily backing politicians that will scratch their back, they are ensuring that their netting rights are secure. That's just good business. The tribes aren't stupid, they have complete control of this situation.

Having said that, are there any other feasible solutions anyone has?

I agree with your post 100%. Today’s date is Sunday May 11th, 2008 at 11:20 PM CST. The only question I had was a fictitious question to our Federal/Local Government, Why should the Minnesota Tax Payers pay for this?

Yes Pawlenty made and effort to establish state run casinos but the dem's shut it down. To much band money involved on the dem side.

Again, back the the netting issue. I 100% agree that other bands should not be "punished" because of the netting issue on ML and they would not have to be. My point being the threat of the loss of exclusive gaming rights to the bands involved could and IMO would make the difference. Exclusive gaming right VS. gill netting walleyes on Mille Las?

Riverbassguy, This is political issue so no there really is no other way to change this but voting for pol's that will try to make a change. Please do not trust me and check for yourself 95% plus of the bands political cont. go to dems.

I ask everyone to e-mail you rep's and ask them were they stand on this subject? Or others that mean allot you. You me get and eye opening. (pun intended)

Politics aside, this is about netting. Netting is a tradition of the band so they were granted this right. Why can't people leave it alone? why do you make this about you? Is it because you want all the fish for yourself? Thats called greed and thats what got us in this whole reservation situation in the first place.

fishorgolf: please explain more about the lawsuit. I know nothing about the lawsuit so enlighten me.

You can get all the information you want on the internet so I am not going to write a novel here.

"it is because you want all the fish to yourself" Sorry, but when I hear these types of comments I know it is time to end my involvement in this thread.

good Luck,