Ojibwe treaty rights protesters plead not guilty

BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) – Four American Indians have pleaded not guilty to fishing and wild rice harvesting violations stemming from a protest in north-central Minnesota last summer.

The four Ojibwe tribal members entered their pleas Monday in Crow Wing County. Minnesota Public Radio reports the appearance is the first step in what could be a long court battle to clarify treaty rights.

Jim Northrup, of Cloquet, and Todd Thompson, of Naytahwaush, are charged with gross misdemeanors for setting gill nets in Gull Lake in Nisswa on the second of two days of protests in August.

Harvey Goodsky Jr. and Morningstar Shabaiash, both of McGregor, are charged with misdemeanors for harvesting wild rice without a state license the same day on Hole-in-the-Day Lake.

Defense attorneys plan to ask the court to dismiss the case.

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Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mprnews.org