The issue of fishing rights has been a particularly sensitive one between
Indians and whites ever since the Europeans began settling in the New
World in the 1600's.  Pictured here are two Ottawa fishermen, in High
Island, Michigan.  The Ottawa Indians lived in the Great Lakes region and
made their living by hunting in the forests gathering wild rice from
marshes, and fishing the lakes and rivers.  With the coming of the
Europeans, the Ottawas began trading as well.  But conflicts with the
whites arose, particularly over the issue of fishing rights:  The
Europeans believed the land should be developed for settlements, while the
Indians wanted the right to continue fishing in their traditional areas. 
Some treaties and land-cession agreements included provisions for tribal
fishing rights.  Today, these rights are sometimes challenged by
environmental groups and policies geared to terminate the special status
of Native Americans before the federal government.