|
Tribal President John D. Johnson Sr. (pictured above right) has been named 'Tribal Leader of the Year' at the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society’s Great Lakes Region Annual Conference held last week in Lac Courte Oreilles.
"He promotes off-reservation treaty rights not only on behalf of his tribe, but all the tribes," said GLIFWC Executive Administrator Michael J. Isham (pictured above left). "He works with youth, he looks out for elders. President Johnson is someone who does what he says."
"I'm humbled and honored to receive this award, and I'm proud to represent Lac du Flambeau in our fight to protect our treaty rights that our ancestors sacrificed so much for in securing these rights for all of us," President Johnson said. "I'm very passionate about protecting our rights to hunt, fish and gather. Our ancestors paid for those rights by ceding territories that span three states."
"Our protection of these rights will depend on what we teach our young," he added. "That is why it is so important to teach our young their culture. I always say if we don't fight for our rights now, what will the future look like for our grandkids and beyond."
President Johnson said that Mother Earth and all natural resources should always come first. He asks everyone to remember that the states made the current boundaries not the tribes. He points to the 1836, 1837, 1842, and 1854 treaties that he says should make us all equal in the eyes of our Creator.
"I would also like to thank every one who fought for our rights before us, and those who are fighting alongside me every day," President Johnson said. I'm so honored to serve our people. Chi-miigwetch! Aho!"
| 
