LdF tribal council rejects town’s latest offer to resolve road issue

The tribal council of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians last week rejected an offer of nearly $1.9 million from the Lac du Flambeau town board to resolve an ongoing expired easement dispute between the two governing bodies. 

Lac du Flambeau town chairman Matt Gaulke made the announcement after reconvening the town board’s July 24 meeting following a closed session.

“The tribe did reject the offer we made but they have made other suggestions for certain items for us to followup on that may work for negotiations,” he explained.

Prior to the announcement, Gaulke, town supervisor Bob Hanson and the town’s legal counsel met with members of the tribal council and its legal team for nearly two hours. 

The Lac du Flambeau tribe is seeking nearly $10 million in damages to resolve the matter which involves expired easements on tribal land on four roads, Annie Sunn Lane, Center Sugarbush Lane, East Ross Allen Lake Lane and Elsie Lake Lane. 

On Thursday, Gaulke said he had further comment at this time regarding the status of the road issue other than town supervisor Gloria Cobb, a member of the LdF tribe, will recuse herself from anything to do with the road issue as she is a candidate for treasurer of the tribal council in its elections later this year. 

Gaulke, who made the announcement regarding Cobb’s status at the beginning of the July 24 meeting and before the closed session with the tribal council, said Cobb called the town office on July 23, to notify town clerk Susan Schoonover and he “found out about it” the next day. 

In other words, when it comes to decisions related to the road dispute with the Lac du Flambeau tribe, until further notice, it will be Gaulke and Hanson who will vote.

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].