Guardians of the Great Lakes: The Enduring Legacy of Sault Tribe Fishing and Upper Michigan Heritage
On the shimmering expanse of the Great Lakes, where icy winds sculpt the shorelines and ancient waters teem with life, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians stands as an enduring testament to resilience, sovereignty, and an unbreakable bond with their ancestral lands and waters. For millennia, the Anishinaabeg—the original people, including the Ojibwe or Chippewa—have navigated these freshwater seas, their very existence intertwined with the rhythm of the fish and the flow of the St. Marys River. This deep heritage of Great Lakes fishing is not merely a historical footnote but a vibrant, living tradition that defines the Sault Tribe’s identity, economy, and future in Upper Michigan.
The story of the Sault Tribe’s connection to Great Lakes fishing begins long before European contact. The confluence of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, particularly around Bawating (present-day Sault Ste. Marie), was a critical gathering place and a bountiful fishing ground. Here, the Anishinaabeg developed sophisticated techniques to harvest abundant whitefish, lake trout, and walleye. They constructed intricate weirs, utilized gill nets woven from natural fibers, and speared fish with skill honed over generations. Fishing was not just a source of sustenance; it was a spiritual practice, a cornerstone of their culture, and a fundamental element of their social and economic structure. The fish were relatives, treated with respect, and their abundance ensured the survival and prosperity of the people.
The arrival of European settlers and the subsequent formation of the United States brought seismic shifts, but the Anishinaabeg’s connection to the Great Lakes persisted. Through a series of treaties in the 19th century – notably the Treaty of Washington in 1836 and the Treaty of La Pointe in 1842 and 1854 – the Sault Tribe and other Ojibwe bands ceded vast tracts of land to the U.S. government. Crucially, however, these treaties did not extinguish their aboriginal rights to hunt, fish, and gather in the ceded territories. Instead, these rights were explicitly reserved by the tribes, a critical distinction that would become the bedrock of future legal battles. The Anishinaabeg understood that while they were sharing the land, their way of life, intrinsically linked to the Great Lakes, would continue.
For decades following the treaties, these reserved rights were largely ignored or actively suppressed by state and federal governments. Tribal members faced harassment, arrest, and confiscation of their gear for exercising rights that had been guaranteed by treaty. The mid-20th century, however, witnessed a powerful resurgence of tribal sovereignty and a determined fight to reclaim these long-denied rights. This era culminated in landmark court cases that would forever change the landscape of tribal-state relations in Michigan.
The most significant of these was United States v. Michigan, commonly known as the "Big Mac" case, initiated in 1973. After years of litigation, the U.S. District Court, in its seminal 1979 decision, unequivocally affirmed the Sault Tribe’s and other signatory tribes’ treaty-reserved fishing rights in the Great Lakes ceded areas. This ruling recognized that the tribes had a right to a substantial share of the Great Lakes fishery and to regulate their own members’ fishing activities. This wasn’t merely about fish; it was about the reaffirmation of tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
"That 1979 decision was a watershed moment," explains Aaron Payment, former Chairman of the Sault Tribe. "It didn’t grant us anything new; it simply affirmed what our ancestors had reserved for us. It was about recognizing our inherent rights and our responsibility to manage these resources for future generations."
The initial 1979 decision was followed by subsequent consent decrees, most notably the 2007 Great Lakes Consent Decree, which established comprehensive management plans, allocation schemes, and dispute resolution mechanisms for the multi-million dollar Great Lakes fishery. This agreement, negotiated between the tribes, the State of Michigan, and the federal government, remains the blueprint for shared management, ensuring the sustainability of the fishery while upholding tribal treaty rights.
Today, Great Lakes fishing is a robust and vital component of the Sault Tribe’s economy and cultural fabric. The Tribe operates a sophisticated commercial fishing enterprise, primarily targeting lake whitefish, a staple species known for its delicate flavor. Tribal commercial fishermen utilize modern trap nets and carefully regulated gill nets, adhering to strict tribal conservation codes that often exceed state requirements. These operations provide employment, generate revenue, and contribute significantly to the economic well-being of the Sault Tribe and the broader Upper Michigan region.
Beyond commercial ventures, subsistence fishing continues to be a cherished practice. Families still gather on the ice in winter or launch their boats in summer to catch fish for their own consumption, passing down knowledge and traditions from elders to youth. This continuity of practice ensures that the cultural significance of fishing – the connection to the water, the lessons of patience and respect, the communal sharing of the harvest – remains vibrant.
The Sault Tribe’s commitment to the Great Lakes extends far beyond just harvesting. They are leading stewards of the environment, investing heavily in fisheries science, habitat restoration, and water quality protection. The Tribe employs a team of biologists and natural resource managers who conduct extensive research, monitor fish populations, and work collaboratively with state and federal agencies to ensure the health and sustainability of the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. Their approach is rooted in an Anishinaabeg worldview that emphasizes reciprocal relationships and long-term responsibility to the natural world.
"Our ancestors taught us that we are part of the water, and the water is part of us," says a Sault Tribe elder, reflecting on their traditional teachings. "We don’t own the fish; we are caretakers. Our job is to make sure there are fish for our grandchildren’s grandchildren." This philosophy guides their comprehensive resource management efforts, which include combating invasive species, addressing pollution, and adapting to the challenges of climate change.
The Upper Michigan heritage of the Sault Tribe is inseparable from this aquatic identity. The rugged beauty of the Upper Peninsula, with its vast forests, pristine lakes, and powerful rivers, is their homeland. It is a place where Anishinaabemowin (the Ojibwe language) is being revitalized, where traditional ceremonies are practiced, and where the stories of their ancestors are told around campfires. The Tribe’s casino enterprises, healthcare facilities, education programs, and other economic developments, while modern in their execution, are all built upon the foundation of a sovereign nation striving to provide for its people within its ancestral territory. The revenues generated, in part, from their fishing and other enterprises, are reinvested into tribal services that uplift the entire community.
However, the journey is not without its ongoing challenges. The Great Lakes face persistent threats from pollution, invasive species like quagga mussels and sea lamprey, and the accelerating impacts of climate change, all of which stress the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Politically, tribal treaty rights occasionally face misunderstanding or opposition from some segments of the non-native population, necessitating continuous education and advocacy. Economically, the volatile nature of commercial fishing demands constant adaptation and strategic planning.
Yet, through it all, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians remains steadfast. Their story is one of profound connection, persistent struggle, and enduring triumph. The Great Lakes, with their vast horizons and deep, cold waters, are not just a resource; they are a sacred trust, a living heritage that continues to shape the identity and destiny of the Anishinaabeg people in Upper Michigan. As they continue to navigate the complexities of the modern world, the Sault Tribe carries forward a legacy of stewardship, sovereignty, and a deep, abiding love for the waters that have sustained them for countless generations, ensuring that the ancient rhythms of Great Lakes fishing will resonate for centuries to come.
