The annual Partners Event, established in 1993, promotes trust and cooperation between tribal, state, and federal natural resource managers, while reinforcing long-term relationships and easing tensions among agencies. This event supports our mission by recognizing tribal fishing rights and conservation efforts through co-management of fishery resources in the ceded territories. Led by the Wisconsin Joint Assessment Steering Committee, attendees, including key agency officials, engage in formal and informal interactions, with activities like guided fishing trips and motivational talks from community leaders and former Green Bay Packers. The event is funded through various sources including contributions from federal and state agencies, and covers costs like fishing guides, travel, and team-building activities.
The annual Healing Circle Run/Walk, began in 2001, and serves as a collective prayer for healing, inspired by the teaching that healing starts with the individual and extends to families, communities, nations, and ultimately Aki (the Earth). This event brings participants together to pray for the healing of themselves, their loved ones, and the environment. The run/walk connects ten Ojibwe reservations across northern Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, spanning seven days and concluding at the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation during the Honor the Earth pow wow. It symbolizes unity and healing on multiple levels—from personal to planetary.
Sandy Lake Memorial
The Sandy Lake Memorial honors the memory of over 400 Anishinaabe lives tragically lost in the fall and winter of 1850 during the forced removal known as the Sandy Lake Tragedy. This dark chapter in history began when the U.S. government attempted to relocate the Ojibwe people from their homelands in Wisconsin and Michigan to western Minnesota by requiring them to travel to Sandy Lake for their annuity payments. Thousands of Ojibwe were subjected to dangerous conditions, inadequate provisions, and the harsh onset of winter. Many perished from starvation, exposure, and disease.
The memorial stands not only as a somber reminder of this tragic event but also as a symbol of the strength, resilience, and survival of the Anishinaabe people. It serves to educate current and future generations about the historical injustices faced by the Ojibwe and honors the enduring spirit of the Anishinaabe communities that continue to thrive. Located on the shores of Sandy Lake, the site is a place for reflection, remembrance, and cultural preservation. Through ongoing efforts, the Sandy Lake Memorial promotes healing and ensures that the legacy of the Anishinaabe remains firmly rooted in both the past and the future.
Mikwendaagoziwag—They Are Remembered.