The treaties reserved to the Indians the privilege of hunting, fishing, and gathering on Public lands in east-central Minnesota under the 1837 Treaty and in Northeastern Minnesota under the 1854 Treaty. In both cases, federal courts have ruled that these privileges continue to exist and that the bands in the lawsuits can adopt their own rules and regulations regarding off-reservation harvest so long as they ensure public safety and health and do not damage fish, game and other natural populations. Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Rod Sando has been disappointed by rulings from the court. As such, he has directed the Attorney General's Office to appeal adverse decisions. Also, he wants you to know that he does not condone certain treaty harvest practices.
Treaties are the law of the land under the U.S. Constitution.
As hunters, you should know that almost all land in what is now Minnesota was ceded by Indians under one treaty or another. However, the only unresolved hunting, fishing and gathering claims are in the 1854 and 1837 ceded territories. All other off-reservation treaty harvest claims have been litigated, voided, settled, or the treaties did not reserve rights in the first place. The DNR encourages you to stay informed and to accept final court orders. We appreciate your support in protecting Minnesota's natural resources.