Red Lake tribal leaders oppose changes to bear hunting in Northwest Angle

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa wants more of a say as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources considers changes to bear hunting in the Northwest Angle.

The DNR is exploring whether to separate the Angle into its own bear management unit, which the agency said would give it more flexibility to set local hunt quotas. The DNR added that it’s also received complaints about bears from residents.

In a letter to DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, however, Darrell Seki Sr., the tribal chair, said the Red Lake Band owns 80 percent of the land in the Angle and wants the proposal stopped. He voiced concerns about possible trespassing on tribal land.

Seki told MPR News he did not know about the DNR proposal until someone alerted him to a report in the Grand Forks Herald.

“They never reached out to us, that normally happens” he said. “We don't hear until it's all on the news. If anything is going to happen, we're the last to know.” The tribal council already prohibits bear hunting on tribal lands, he added.

The DNR said it had received Seki’s letter and is taking his concerns seriously. In a statement the agency noted the proposal would only apply to nontribal lands and that its staff had been talking with Red Lake natural resources staff about the proposal before scheduling the recent public meetings.

The DNR said it has not made any final decisions and will continue to work with tribal leaders and staff.

Turn Up Your Support

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.

Red Lake tribal leaders oppose changes to bear hunting in Northwest Angle

Go Deeper.

Like this?

Turn Up Your Support