Fond du
Lac Follies locomoted to Duluth to the television studio for an
interview with Barbara Reyelts. This 30-year veteran newswoman (I was
12 when I started, she said) wanted to know about my upcoming trip to
Budapest, Hungary.
The
event was set up by producer Ramona Marozas who we learned is Lola
Hill’s granddaughter. She was the voice in Barbara’s earpiece and
helped set up the interview.
I could
tell these people were professional and prepared.
I
introduced myself in the Ojibwe which I am always happy to do.
Barbara asked some questions about how the trip came about and what I
hoped to accomplish. I said first I would like to dispel any myths
the people there had gained from the cowboy and Indian movies. I also
wanted to talk about my experiences as a combat Marine from the
Vietnam War. I wanted to give the Hungarian people a view of life on
the Rez as seen through my eyes.
The
twenty-minute interview went well and I learned it will be shown nine
times, mostly Saturday and Sunday mornings on Northland Voices.
****
My brother
Vern Northrup was one of the people who motored to Duluth for the
proposed Polymet mine hearing. I wondered who paid for the seven
busses which transported some of the mine supporters? The Minnesota
DNR set up the event. They planned to take statements from the
citizens of the state about the mine that has great potential to
pollute the waters of Lake Superior and a large chunk of northern
Minnesota including the Boundary Waters.
Proponents
of the the plan point to the construction jobs and 20-year mining
jobs. Opponents of the mine say why should we look at short term jobs
that could pollute the water for 500 years? I am one of the opponents
of the short-sighted plan to ruin the water here. I believe my rights
in the 1854 Treaty are in jeopardy if the plan goes through. I read a
newspaper that there was a glitch in the plans because the mining
company used a computer model that was flawed. Why should we
sacrifice our precious water for a multi-national corporation that is
not from here?
****
I
attended a monthly RBC meeting where the leaders met with the people.
I noticed we no longer have anyone praying in Ojibwe to start the
meetings. Karen Diver said the Enbridge pipeline would not be coming
through the Reservation.
****
There is
a political storm brewing that concerns three out of five members of
our Reservation Business Committee here at Fond du Lac. The three are
the Chair Karen Diver, the Secretary/Treasurer Ferd Martineau and
Cloquet representative Wally Dupuis. A petition was circulated and
enough names of Fond du Lac voters were collected so a hearing can be
set. The three members have 15 days to prepare to answer the
accusations filed against them. This is unusual because this is one
of the first times the people have attempted to remove three out of
five of their leaders. I don’t have many details but an old political
adage says follow the money. I think there were claims of ethics
violations also. I understand the hearing will be public.
****
In an
unrelated note I have heard nothing further about the plans for a
language and culture department here on the Rez. There are more
meetings planned. As long as the meetings and meetings go on and on
nothing will be done about the language and culture here on the Rez.
Maybe that is the plan?
****
Just
like last year we had winter here on the Rez. The snow is deep and
the temperature readings were way below zero. The beauty of the snows
and shadows pleases my eyes. The quiet pleases my ears. I like the
shimmering curtains of snow falling from the branches when the wind
blows.
We were
fortunate that we filled our LP gas tank before the price rose and
shortages were declared.
Our
vehicles have started every morning, if they don’t we have a jump box
and jumper cables, also electrically heated magnets for the oil pan.
The Rez
plows my driveway and my grandsons shovel the snow from my deck, the
handicap ramp and sidewalks. They also use a roof rake to pull the
snow from my roofs. We are winterized.
Pretty
soon it will be sugar bush time so we can replenish our maple syrup
supplies. I like the cycle of seasons as we live them here. Soon I
will have to decide which part of the woods I will use when I tap the
trees. I wonder who will visit us during maple syrup making?
And we
all know that Corvette season comes after sugar bush.
****
The views
in this column belong to the writer alone, they are not meant to
represent this Reservation, this newspaper, supporters of PolyMet, or
anyone else. Comments and bingo packs can be sent to FdL Follies, PO
Box 16, Sawyer, MN 55780-0016, email jimnorthrupfdl@gmail.com,
Facebook too using the name Jim Northrup.