Crossing the Line: The Tribble Brothers summarizes the story of Fred and Mike Tribble from the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the actions in March 1974 to reaffirm Ojibwe treaty rights as described by the treaties of 1837 and 1842. These rights to hunt, fish, and gather in the Ceded Territories in northern Wisconsin had been ignored by the local, county, and state governments for over a century.
Who benefits from the initial interpretation of the signed and agreed upon Ojibwe treaty rights? How do they benefit from these signed agreements?
In your own words, describe whether you think the word “cede” is a positive or negative word in the context of treaty rights. Why?
What is a “test case”? Why is it important to the story of the Tribble brothers and Ojibwe nations of Wisconsin?
Why did Fred and Mike Tribble have to take their court case against the state of Wisconsin through the federal court system? What does it say about the way that the state of Wisconsin was attempting to regulate the treaty rights of the Ojibwe people and nations?
Director and Producer Finn Ryan Associate Producer Dylan Jennings, Charlie Rasmussen Cinematography Lukas Korver, Hunter Hampton Aerial Dusan Harminc | Special Thanks: Mike Tribble Fred Tribble Jason Bisonette GLIFWC Wardens Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa |