Michele Beeksma recently gave a talk at the Duluth Depot titled, “Understanding Chippewa 1854 Treaty Rights in Northeast Minnesota, 1854 to the Present.” She discussed past events and individuals related to the 1854 Treaty and examined the legal and cultural viewpoints of how people are currently implementing their treaty rights. Her presentation also reviewed the role of the 1854 Treaty Authority, which is the agency responsible for cultural education, conducting surveys of fish and mammal populations, along with managing wild rice and invasive species.
Michele Hakala-Beeksma is the Vice-President of the St. Louis County Historical Society’s Board of Governors, a Member of the Society’s American Indian Advisory Committee. For the past sixteen years, she has worked for the 1854 Treaty Authority. Michele is also a member of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa.
