Officials of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians have raised concerns about Congressman Tom Tiffany’s bill to make the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore a national park.
Attempts to voice their concerns with Tiffany have largely been unsuccessful for the most part, the tribe said in a statement earlier this month.
“Tribal officials have repeatedly presented questions and concerns about the bill to lawmakers and Tiffany’s staff at the Capitol,” the tribe’s statement read. “However, the tribe has not received sufficient communication of information. Without the appropriate consultation from lawmakers the tribe must oppose this bill in order to protect the best interests of Gaa-Miskwaabikaang (Red Cliff Ojibwe) and its tribal membership.”
If the bill passes, Tiffany said it would make the Apostle Islands Wisconsin’s first national park.
Red Cliff officials said that is not the case.
“Frog Bay Tribal National Park here is Red Cliff was created in 2012, making it the first of its kind in Wisconsin and across the United States,” according to the statement.
Officials are also concerned that they have not been made aware of any impact study the designation would have on the environment, economy, infrastructure and treaty rights.
Tribal officials said they are open to working with lawmakers on issues that impact the tribe’s membership and natural resources.
“However, the tribe cannot justify this bill to our community. The tribe must know the potential impacts to our members’ treaty rights,” the statement said.
The tribe has been aware of Tiffany’s goal since 2018, when he first floated the idea around with tribal officials. In response, the tribe requested his proposal, but none was provided.
Then, in October 2023, tribal officials were made aware that Tiffany has started putting his plan into motion, but there was no formal consultation with the tribe prior to this. When the tribe reached out to Tiffany’s office in January, 2024, officials were given a two-page proposed bill with very vague and limited information. More questions were communicated to Tiffany’s office, but no response was given, according to the statement.
Seeking answers, Chairwoman Nicole Boyd and other tribal officials visited Washington D.C. and spoke with Tiffany, expressing concerns about the lack of information and consultation with local constituents, municipalities and tribal nations, according to the statement. Then in June, the tribe sent Tiffany’s office several questions and comments in response to the bill. The tribe has not received a formal response yet, according to the statement.
As part of the bill Tiffany has said treaty rights would be preserved. The bill also directs the Park Service to enhance interpretative displays about the Ojibwe people, he has said.
Hunting is prohibited on national parks, but would be permitted on Sand Island as part of the bill.
The bill has to go through several rounds of approval, including the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Local News
