I was awed with the presentation by Brady Swanson about the fishing history - if I was teaching about how to deliberate about a public policy issue, one assignment would be to watch this video - he covered so much - the ecological issues, the industrial issues, the varying views about commercial and sports fishing, and on and on. I liked the way he moved across the time periods. Also, I think he would be a great moderator, because he was able to identify the tensions without himself taking sides. In addition, I just learned so many things about fishing that I didn't know. The poor sturgeons! And I had no knowledge about the intersection of fishing with mink farming. Geez!
Of course what I'd like to know is what the indigenous folks learned from the settlers and what the settlers learned from them about fishing. Also there was nothing in the video about any tensions between these two communities related to fishing, but I'm just guessing there were tensions.
These two cultural communities collaborated in creating commercial fishing on Lake of the Woods. The tensions came mostly between commercial and sports fishing advocates rather than along racial lines. I think that is one of the more distinctive features about this community is the lack of violent conflict between cultures.
I think what you are telling me is incredibly important. A friendly suggestion to Brady Swanson that if possible he slip this information into future presentations. And believe me as I said earlier I am so very impressed with the information he presented. It was truly overwhelming. I think the tension between the commercial and sports fishing communities is huge, and add in the engagement of the legislature. What a story.
Because I remember the Walleye Wars of the 1970s here in Wisconsin (future post in the works), the lack of conflict in Warroad and the ways in which cultures comingled their knowledge of the lake, fishing, navigation, processing and bringing fresh fish to market to create industry and generate wealth is quite amazing. Perhaps more acculturation than assimilation happened with fishing on Lake of the Woods. I plan to interview Brady Swanson in the next couple of weeks to talk about his work as a local historian.
Something you are helping me with in all this writing is to consider positive outcomes with the "commingling of cultures" and not just tensions. I admit it is my tendency to zoom in all violence and sufferings where I feel people are abused. I seldom consider positive things that have occurred as cultures have come together. I need to broaden my thinking. I'm trying and it isn't easy. I need to revisit the song I learned years ago in the Brownies, "Make New Friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." It's just that it seems to me that too often "invading" cultures are so harsh and destructive.
I too was awed by Brady Swanson's presentation on the fishing history of Lake of the Woods.
Likewise, I enjoyed your (Jill and Margaret) conversation in the comments this morning! Highlighting the collaboration of the two cultures is unique and refreshing. Thank you ladies for your insights!
I sure wish the railroad travel concept would be more prevalent in North America, as we throughly enjoyed the Swedish and Danish version this spring, visiting Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Copenhagen.
In the 1950s, I took frequent train trips with my mom from Mexico, Missouri to St. Louis. I'm glad the Warroad Station was saved in place. Traveling by train was a thrill. Thanks for more history from the north country.
This was interesting that there was an immigration office in Warroad. I had never thought of it previously. ( My friend's husband had a weird experience before he became a U.S. citizen. Both she and he were traveling by train across the northern U.S. The train stopped somewhere and they got off just to look around. And the husband wasn't allowed back on the train because the stop was in Canada and he didn't have the necessary paperwork.
Warroad is about six miles south of the Canadian border. Today there is a customs and immigration office and building at the border crossing itself. Your grandfather worked for the railroad in southern Minnesota as a telegrapher. Glad you found it interesting.
I was awed with the presentation by Brady Swanson about the fishing history - if I was teaching about how to deliberate about a public policy issue, one assignment would be to watch this video - he covered so much - the ecological issues, the industrial issues, the varying views about commercial and sports fishing, and on and on. I liked the way he moved across the time periods. Also, I think he would be a great moderator, because he was able to identify the tensions without himself taking sides. In addition, I just learned so many things about fishing that I didn't know. The poor sturgeons! And I had no knowledge about the intersection of fishing with mink farming. Geez!
I agree the presentation was exceptionally good! What I remember most about the mink farms was the smell.
Of course what I'd like to know is what the indigenous folks learned from the settlers and what the settlers learned from them about fishing. Also there was nothing in the video about any tensions between these two communities related to fishing, but I'm just guessing there were tensions.
These two cultural communities collaborated in creating commercial fishing on Lake of the Woods. The tensions came mostly between commercial and sports fishing advocates rather than along racial lines. I think that is one of the more distinctive features about this community is the lack of violent conflict between cultures.
I think what you are telling me is incredibly important. A friendly suggestion to Brady Swanson that if possible he slip this information into future presentations. And believe me as I said earlier I am so very impressed with the information he presented. It was truly overwhelming. I think the tension between the commercial and sports fishing communities is huge, and add in the engagement of the legislature. What a story.
Because I remember the Walleye Wars of the 1970s here in Wisconsin (future post in the works), the lack of conflict in Warroad and the ways in which cultures comingled their knowledge of the lake, fishing, navigation, processing and bringing fresh fish to market to create industry and generate wealth is quite amazing. Perhaps more acculturation than assimilation happened with fishing on Lake of the Woods. I plan to interview Brady Swanson in the next couple of weeks to talk about his work as a local historian.
Something you are helping me with in all this writing is to consider positive outcomes with the "commingling of cultures" and not just tensions. I admit it is my tendency to zoom in all violence and sufferings where I feel people are abused. I seldom consider positive things that have occurred as cultures have come together. I need to broaden my thinking. I'm trying and it isn't easy. I need to revisit the song I learned years ago in the Brownies, "Make New Friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." It's just that it seems to me that too often "invading" cultures are so harsh and destructive.
I too was awed by Brady Swanson's presentation on the fishing history of Lake of the Woods.
Likewise, I enjoyed your (Jill and Margaret) conversation in the comments this morning! Highlighting the collaboration of the two cultures is unique and refreshing. Thank you ladies for your insights!
I sure wish the railroad travel concept would be more prevalent in North America, as we throughly enjoyed the Swedish and Danish version this spring, visiting Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Copenhagen.
Glad you enjoyed Brady Swanson's presentation.
Thanks for watching, and reading.
I'd love to see more passenger train service in North America. What does a modern rail system look like there in Sweden and Denmark?
In the 1950s, I took frequent train trips with my mom from Mexico, Missouri to St. Louis. I'm glad the Warroad Station was saved in place. Traveling by train was a thrill. Thanks for more history from the north country.
This was interesting that there was an immigration office in Warroad. I had never thought of it previously. ( My friend's husband had a weird experience before he became a U.S. citizen. Both she and he were traveling by train across the northern U.S. The train stopped somewhere and they got off just to look around. And the husband wasn't allowed back on the train because the stop was in Canada and he didn't have the necessary paperwork.
Warroad is about six miles south of the Canadian border. Today there is a customs and immigration office and building at the border crossing itself. Your grandfather worked for the railroad in southern Minnesota as a telegrapher. Glad you found it interesting.
Yes, I've been camping there several times.