Curtis Gagnon, President
Grand Portage (218) 475-2486 cgagnon@boreal.org
I graduated from Cook County High School in 1968 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force that same year. Since then I have lived in Grand Portage making a living doing whatever was available that provided an income. My career has included everything from commercial fishing, logging, forestry technician, wildland firefighter, carpenter, running and operating a business to working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, first as a Park Naturalist and eventually as State Park Manager at Grand Portage State Park. I have gained a lot of experience in the natural resource world. Most recently and for the last eight years, I have worked for the Grand Portage Band as their Trust Lands Administrator. This position puts me in charge of all natural resource, environmental, recreation, and conservation enforcement activities on the Grand Portage Reservation.
I have a lifelong connection to the Arrowhead region of Minnesota, having lived here all my life, except for time in military service. I am a member of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa and our people have occupied this area for a long time. The Arrowhead Region includes the 1854 Ceded Territory. This is the area that was ceded to the United States government by the Lake Superior Chippewa in 1854.
During the last few years, I have observed various entities, governmental and private as well as environmental groups, moving in and claiming land and territory as their own with too little concern for the local peoples’ right to use the land, including the aforementioned treaty rights.
There was a need for a group to be formed to represent the local peoples’ rights and concerns. A coalition of people who like to use the land, but seemingly had no voice. A group of people was needed to be the eyes and ears of the Arrowhead Region, as well as the voice. There are many outdoor activities that we all enjoy—both for recreation and economic reasons. The Arrowhead Coalition for Multiple Use will be here to ensure that nothing will go unnoticed and we will speak and fight for the rights and activities we have always enjoyed. That is why I continue to serve on the ACMU board.