Monday, February 6, 2023 – Ensuring a long life for sturgeon

Sturgeon survive from the time dinosaurs roamed the earth, but some species are having a tough time weathering human-made encroachment. While some lake sturgeon live to be 100 years old, the species is on track to be designated endangered next year, threatening traditional Native fishing methods. Today on Native America Calling, as the brief sturgeon spearfishing seasons are getting underway, we look at the ecological status of sturgeons, the traditional harvest methods, and tribal efforts to protect them with elder Marvin DeFoe (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians), tribal historic preservation officer for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Indians, and Biskakone Johnson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe), language and art teacher for the Lac du Flambeau Tribe.