Lac du Flambeau: The Lay of the Land [AUDIO]

There is just something so special about the Wisconsin Northwoods. Snow blizzards blanket the land in winter months, birds beep and tweet during the springtime, fish wiggle and whirl down summer streams and fall foliage christens the cool autumn air. The pure beauty of the land makes time stop and busy brains quiet. However, that peacefulness is a facade for some up-North destinations.

Lac du Flambeau has become contentious because of its charm. The checkerboard reservation is owned by both the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribe and non-native people. The tribe was given the land by the federal government in 1854, and as a product of The Dawes Act of 1887, non-native people were able to purchase tribal land; often with the help of a private relator. Simply put, there is nothing simple about Lac du Flambeau. Even town snow plows stay within town limits and tribal trucks do the same strictly on the reservation.

However, within the 144 square miles of shared space, four roads remain untouched by snow removal, as stark, skinny yellow barricades block the entrances to tribal land. The act comes as a result of failed easement negotiations between the two parties, further dividing those who live there.

The Lac du Flambeau land dispute impacted the lives of everyone involved; modes of transportation changed, an increase of people engaged in local politics and both hatred and education from both sides spread. Perhaps it is the first time someone’s true colors have been on display after decades of living in the area.

There’s no clear answer of who is ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ but the Lac du Flambeau land dispute does make one thing clear: land is important.

Bella Van Lanen has the story.