LAC du FLAMBEAU, WI (WSAU-WXPR) – Local tribes want to meet with U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to talk about relisting wolves as an endangered or threatened species. They are concerned that wolves will be overhunted.
The Lac du Flambeau, Lac Vieux Desert and Fond du Lac Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa are among 10 Ojibwe tribes who want to meet with Haaland. They also say decisions about listing or delisting endangered species are part of their treaty rights.
John Johnson is the president of the Lac du Flambeau Tribe. “We want some answers. Why they’re not listening to the tribes because we have federal treaty rights and they’re not adhering to them. They’re making decisions without them.”
Johnson says wolves have a spiritual meaning for Ojibwe people, who believe the creator made wolves to walk side by side with man, so man wouldn’t get lonely.
That’s part of the reason the tribe wants to protect wolves.
But Johsnson worries the spring hunt has already left the species in a dire state. “They did too much damage already.”
Relisting the wolves as an endangered or threatened species could stop a fall hunt from happening in Wisconsin.
Those in favor of that hunt argue the wolf population in Wisconsin has grown too large and is threatening livestock and pets.
But the Ojibwe tribes are just ten of hundreds of tribes across the country that disagree. Eight groups representing 200 American Indian tribes sent a letter to Haaland last week asking for federal protections for the animal immediately.
