BLM-ES, Bois Forte Chippewa Archeological Site Stewardship

BACKGROUND: The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indians (Bois Forte) and the BLM-Northeastern States District have had an ongoing partnership/assistance agreement to monitor BLM managed islands and archeological sites in and around Lake Vermilion in St. Louis County, Minnesota, since 2007. Bois Forte Tribal members visit the sites at least twice a year-once prior to the busy summer season and once after to observe and record the conditions of the sites and the islands , specifically any degradation caused by human factors such as looting or recreational use, and natural factors such as erosion. As possible, Bois Forte also incorporates Tribal youth and Elders into these visits and has in the past provided training to Tribal members in the monitoring of archeological sites. A cornerstone of the Department of the Interior's (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) mission is the protection of Americaâ¿¿s cultural heritage and resources for future generations and the obligation to honor and protect cultural resources of tribal communities. The Department and Bureau works closely with Native American tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities to help ensure respect for and preservation of the sacred cultural sites of our native peoples, as well as repatriation of Native American cultural items. OBJECTIVES: Bois Forte will continue to monitor the islands/archeological sites as previously; however, the agreement will be expanded from 24 islands to 25, for a total number of 50 visits per year. Bois Forte monitors will take notes on degradation to the archeological sites if any as well as any other damage to the island. Bois Forte will notify the BLM of any damage to natural or cultural resources. In addition to the site monitoring, the Bois Forte will conduct Tribal Youth and Elder visits to the islands for educational purposes. These visits will be done with the assistance of the BLM and the 1854 Treaty Authority, a governmental entity which enforces rights and obligations for various Chippewa Tribes in the territory ceded by them in the 1854 Treaty. The partner will also begin conducting archeological site evaluations to determine if any are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with BLM policy and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The expansion of the partnership will also include the creation of an interpretive display at the Bois Forte Heritage Center Museum highlighting the cooperative management of the islands as well as the cultural ties between the Bois Forte and the surrounding areas. The recipient will be involved in the management of public lands and archeological sites located within their traditional homeland/culture area. Additionally, the islands are considered by the Bois Forte to be traditional cultural properties (TCPs) as they have historically used, and continue to use, the islands for spiritual retreats, fishing, and blueberry harvesting. The agreement will also allow for Tribal Youth and Elder visits for natural and cultural resources education purposes as well as archeological site evaluations and training Tribal members in archeological techniques. A cooperatively produced interpretation display will be created at the Bois Forte Heritage Center Museum. PUBLIC BENEFIT: The public will benefit from the partnership's archeological site monitoring and management. Archeological work conducted on these islands will increase the prehistoric knowledge of the Lake Vermilion area, allowing for better management decisions for the islands. The creation of the interpretive display will provide the public increased knowledge of both the Boise Forte and BLM use and management of the area.