Minnesota Indian Treaty Rights Activists Ticketed by DNR

Brainerd, MN (MNN) - Members of an activist group called the 1855 Treaty Authority may soon get their day in court. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued citations on Friday to four members of a Chippewa tribe for allegedly setting illegal gill nets and harvesting wild rice without a state license on lakes in the Brainerd area.

The tribal members intentionally violated the DNR regulations in hopes of sparking a court fight over the validity of their off reservation hunting, fishing, and harvesting rights. The activist group claims those rights were granted to the tribe as part of in 1855 treaty with the federal government.

(Minnesota News Network)