BARAGA, MI— The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has assumed ownership of 760 acres of Baraga County land from The Nature Conservancy.
The land, which is within the Tribe’s 1842 reservation boundaries, was purchased in 2021 from a longtime local owner. The deed transferring the property to KBIC was officially signed during a Tribal Council Meeting Wednesday morning.
The land KBIC is assuming ownership of is adjacent to TNC’s 9,760-acre Slate River Forest Reserve.
“KBIC is dedicated to the long-term protection of natural resources, healthy ecosystems, and preservation of our traditions and culture for the generations to come, so all may flourish and thrive. We recognize the importance of working together with like-minded co-stewards to achieve goals across man-made boundaries and look to developing and strengthening partnerships to realize our vision,” said Evelyn Ravindran, Natural Resources Director for KBIC. “Over the years, TNC has welcomed KBIC’s input and involvement in the Keweenaw Heartlands Project and has expressed interest in other collaborations including wildlife monitoring and wild rice restoration. The relationship between KBIC and TNC has grown organically, as both entities place great value on conserving our lands and waters in support of strong, resilient natural and human communities.”
“Supporting Indigenous and local communities in stewarding their environment and shaping their future is vital for both people and nature. We are honored to make this contribution to KBIC’s future success by transferring this land to them,” said Helen Taylor, state director for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. “KBIC members have been stewards of the land for generations, and their cultural teachings signify and honor the connection between people, wildlife, and the natural world around us. Working toward shared, durable conservation outcomes is a powerful principle that is needed now more than ever as we confront unprecedented environmental challenges.”