MADISON, WI (AP)-- A tribal leader is calling on state officials to stop spreading what he calls "propaganda" about spear-fishing and imploring lawmakers not to trade the state's natural resources for temporary jobs at a giant iron mine near Lake Superior.
Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Gordon Thayer delivered the annual “State of the Tribes” address Tuesday. He complained about DNR press releases about tribal spear-fishing, saying the agency's propaganda could re-ignite anger toward tribal anglers.
He also complained about a Republican-authored law that relaxes mining regulations. The law is designed to help Gogebic Taconite open an open-pit iron mine near the Bad River Chippewa's reservation.
The state Assembly's Speaker pro tem—Republican Representative Bill Kramer—is fuming over Thayer’s remarks. He walked out on the speech as Thayer talked about the tribe’s opposition to the mine.