Court Opinion

ID: 9659875
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 21:56:41.944886+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:12.343473
License: Public Domain

Ryan, J.
(dissenting). I agree that the "usual *71privileges of occupancy” referred to in Article Thirteenth of the Treaty of 1836 included the right to fish in the abutting waters of Lake Superior. However, I concur with Justice Lindemer that Article Thirteenth must be interpreted to mean that "settlement of the land terminates all usual privileges of occupancy associated with the land”. It being manifest that the land in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is required for settlement, the fishing rights acquired under the treaty are extinguished.
However, I cannot subscribe to my Brother’s second conclusion because I agree with Justice Williams that the decisions of the United States Supreme Court regarding the construction of Indian treaties requires us to conclude on this record that the Treaty of July 31, 1855 did not extinguish any of the fishing rights granted the Chippewas in the Treaty of 1836.
I would affirm the convictions.