Letters: Forestry Center issues need more sunshine

Steve Olson did a good job of relating the history of the various laws that affected the Fond du Lac Band in his March 3 column. But I wonder how far back in history we want to go. After all, the Ojibway seized the land from the Sioux. There is a reason why some of the lakes north of Deer River are called Cutfoot Sioux. There was a sign, now removed, on the Chippewa National Forest about the battle between the two tribes and a wounded Sioux warrior.

The Cloquet Forestry Center was established with the 1909 law that resulted in the land being legally purchased from a “willing buyer and a willing seller.” Of course, the argument will be that Band members were taken advantage of by the lumber barons of the day. We should be thankful for the early forest industry of Cloquet. I wonder where Cloquet and the nation would be if the sawmills were not established to provide a market for harvested timber.

University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel has been advised by Karen Diver, who is far from unbiased as the former chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band.

I would like to see an explanation of how the land ownership change could benefit all. All of the meetings to date — with the exception of a cursory presentation to the Board of Regents — have been closed with no transparency. There is no information regarding what the plans might be if the Forestry Center is transferred. Will the long-term growth studies and other long-term research be continued? Will the trails and roads still be open for the public to use? How about the many educational programs now offered to students and the community? Will the opportunity for collaboration between the band and others be continued? Will this $30 million asset be sold to the band or just handed over?

I could fill this page with questions, but this is long enough. The university is a public institution supported by Minnesota taxpayers who deserve to be part of the ongoing meetings and decision-making process.

Al Alm, Cloquet, University of Minnesota professor emeritus