Community Conversation: Curtis Gagnon discusses American Indian Treaty Rights, traditions and spiritual values

Back in 2016 Curtis Gagnon, a Grand Portage Band Member who passed away in December of 2020, spoke with WTIP Volunteer Roger Linehan in an hour-long conversation that covered a lot of territory.

He tells the story of when he shot a moose at the right time but in the wrong place, and how it unintentionally tested the boundaries of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights–an event that had a lasting impact on people all across Anishinaabe country. He also talked about the traditional ways and spiritual values of Anishinaabe people and shared his thoughts on the future of mother earth and our responsibility to care for the natural environment.

The interview initially aired in 2016 and was re-aired in January 2021, with the permission of his family.

Matthew Brown January 14, 2021