GATHERING THE PIECES:
THE JONDREAU DECISION
Gathering the Pieces: The Jondreau Decision summarizes the story of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) tribal member William “Boyzie” Jondreau. In this story, William's struggle to help reaffirm the Ojibwe (or Anishinaabe) treaty-reserved harvesting rights in the waters of Lake Superior is explored by William's grandson, Jerry Jondreau.
LEARNING QUESTIONS
• What was the People of Michigan v. Jondreau ruling in April 1971, and how was it a turning point in the history of the Ojibwe nations in Michigan and the United States, and also the individuals involved in the court case?
• How did traditional values of sharing land and water influence the decision of the Ojibwe people to take the state of Michigan to court?
• Why are the treaty rights, as they were written, important to the Ojibwe people?
• What is the significance of reaffirming Ojibwe treaty rights in regard to Lake Superior versus inland waters?
CREDITS
Director & Producer
Finn Ryan
Associate Producer
Dylan Jennings, Charlie Rasmussen
Cinematographer
Mike Palzkill
Aerial Photographer
Dusan Harminc
Editor
Travis Whitty
Special Thanks
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Jerry Jondreau and Jondreau Family
JP DeCota Sr.
Robert E. Loonsfoot
Michigan Technological University of Forest Resources and Environmental Science