Terrorism is not too different for those who experience the threats to their lives from foreign internationals or for those who are subjected to fear in a local community by miscreant elements living amongst us.
We are fortunate in so many ways that finally the Old Mission and its high poverty rate have been replaced by nice homes and most people have jobs. We also have a police force and local laws designed to protect us. Things should be good for everyone and yet some seniors' homes have been broken into and the fear of sounds in the night have become a reality. Some of the victims have wakened to discover that, while they were sleeping, someone had roamed about their homes looking for money and other valuables.
How can this happen? Everyone here is related. The sins against the family up the road are sins against an aunt, an uncle, or a cousin. The money you take are dollars that have been earned by hard work and are needed for personal care and medicines. Not only are you violating the traditions of the Ojibwe, but you as an invader of someone else's private world, are depriving those persons of their rights to live free of the fear that your actions have engendered. If you wanted attention, let me tell you that you indeed have become the talk of the town.
People in the community are preparing for your next visit by loading their household weapons and are determined to protect their property. Many people are talking about banishment from the tribe as an appropriate punishment for the lawless life that some of our young people have adopted. Marquette is also home to many who did no more than breaking and entering, or burglary, and the perpetrators of this day will have much time to think over the mistakes that got them lodged in one of the state's penal institutions. To members of the community, lock your doors and have a reasonable time for your children to be home.
Bill LeBlanc is an elder of the Bay Mills Indian Community. He is retired from State government where he worked as an Indian advocate. He currently resides on the Bay Mills Reservation.
