Dimelo Northwestern

In this audio story, the terms ‘nation’ and ‘tribe’ are used. Though sometimes used interchangeably in other forms of writing, this article uses nation as a legal term that refers to tribal sovereignty. Tribe is used to refer to a general self-determination, encapsulating lived experiences beyond the legal realm. [“Lake Superior Waves” by BullSam is licensed under CC BY 4.0.] The sound of freshwater rushing against the sand in Lake Superior is common noise for Joe Bates. He is a tribal elder of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Northern Wisconsin. Bates was born there. Then, at seven years old, he moved away with his family but finally returned at 29. This is when he made the reservation his permanent home.  BATES: “This is my homeland. This is what my ancestors died and fought for, this homeland that we have here. I’m just so grateful to be able to come back to my home and remain here for the remainder of, you know, what I have left.” Bates said that water is sacred. To him, the presence of Lak