Feedback on the Last Issue

Thank you for another outstanding, timely edition of Minnesota Alumni. The issues of water and climate have never been more important. I appreciated your 360 coverage of these concerns in Minnesota, especially as proposals are made to bottle and sell our water or pipe it westward.

I appreciate the level of research and writing in the magazine. I read every issue cover to cover.

Mary Kemen (B.S. ’78, B.S. ’79, M.D. ’84)
Chanhassen, Minnesota

Your magazine featuring the articles on water was well done. Those of us living in Arizona have a particular interest in water.

Tom Hestwood (M.A. ’72)
Oro Valley, Arizona

The Winter 2023 Minnesota Alumni included a number of informative articles about the critically important issue of water and the important work and research being done by University of Minnesota experts.

I was surprised and disappointed at the omission of any reference to the role and treaty rights of Minnesota’s Native Americans in the edition.

More than 200 years ago, Indian nations in the area that became Minnesota made concessions of land for specific uses by the U.S. government through a number of treaties. In exchange, the members of the nations received money, goods, and various promises.

When Minnesota became a state in 1858, almost all Indian lands in Minnesota had been ceded or reserved for future settlement. In 1862, the U.S. government provided incentives for newcomers to move onto land through the Homestead Act. 

In 1837, Article 5, Treaty with the Chippewa, stated “The privilege of hunting, fishing, and gathering the wild rice, upon the lands, the rivers and the lakes included in the territory ceded, is guarantied [sic] to the Indians, during the pleasure of the President of the United States.”

The absence of the historical significance of the rights of our state’s Nativenations is an unfortunate oversight.

J. Paul Blake
North Las Vegas, NV
Life Member, Minnesota Alumni Association

Blake formerly held positions in University Relations, Institutional Relations, and the Office of Student Affairs at the U of M from 1976–1986. He later served as communications director for Seattle Public Utilities and was a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Water Works Association.