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- By Native News Online Staff
On Wednesday, 125 lake sturgeon were released into the Kalamazoo River (Gzigmezék Zibé) by the Match-e-be-Nash-She-Wish Band of the Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe). The annual event drew hundreds of attendees, with many children taking part by gently placing the young fish—known in Pottawatomi as nmé—into the river by hand.
The sturgeon eggs were gathered earlier this spring by the Tribe’s Environmental Department using egg mats placed along the riverbed. This method allows the fish to spawn naturally—choosing the time, place, and partner—aligning with the Tribe’s cultural values of honoring the fish as relatives. The young sturgeon, or nmések, were nurtured throughout the summer at a streamside hatchery near Fennville, located in New Richmond Bridge County Park.
Unlike traditional hatcheries, this streamside facility draws water directly from the river, helping acclimate the fish to their future home and giving them a stronger start in life.
A few sturgeon from the 2024 season were kept through the winter at the Gun Lake Tribal Government campus, where staff, community members, and visitors could observe them daily. This close connection allowed for shared stories and deeper understanding of the species and its cultural significance. These sturgeon were also tagged, enabling researchers to monitor their movements across the Great Lakes and gather vital information on this vulnerable stage of life.
Once plentiful in the Great Lakes, nmé are now considered a threatened species throughout much of their range. These ancient fish can live up to 150 years, grow as long as 8 feet, and weigh as much as 300 pounds. They mature slowly—typically not until their late teens or even early thirties—and spawn only every few years (1–3 years for males, and 4–9 years for females). Historic overharvesting and the construction of dams that block access to key spawning areas are among the main challenges to their recovery.
By reintroducing and supporting sturgeon in the Kalamazoo River, the Tribe continues a reciprocal relationship that dates back generations. The nmé once sustained the Neshnabék by providing nourishment and materials. Today, the Tribe gives back—restoring and protecting the species through stewardship and cultural practice.
"The Tribal approach to sustainable management is to recognize the impact that our current actions have on the next seven generations,” said the Tribe’s Environmental Director Liz Binoniemi-Smith. “The long life of the sturgeon requires management with this forward-looking approach, and through careful conservation, we hope to support this animal that is so important culturally to Neshnabék (Anishinabe People) as well as to the Great Lakes ecosystem."
The Tribe honors the nmé as relatives—highly respected for their longevity and the wisdom they represent. As a clan animal, the sturgeon holds a revered place within the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Neshnabék.
Open to the public, the event featured a welcome address, drumming by Tribal group Sharp Feather, and traditional songs. The Gun Lake Tribe worked in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Grand Valley State University to bring the project to life.
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