A gray wolf. Photo from Keep Michigan Wolves Protected

The Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, held a meeting on Monday to discuss the importance of wolves in tribal culture.

Wolves are sacred in Potawatomi and Ojibwe culture and are considered relatives of humans. The animals are under attack in Michigan due to a statewide hunt.

"It's a murderous thing that they're doing: they're taking down something that I look as a relative...my mother is wolf clan, and I honor her side as being my wolf relatives," said Punkin Shananaquet, a Gun Lake tribal member, WJJZ reported.

The tribe is opposing Proposal 14-1, which authorizes an annual wolf hunting season. However, the outcome won't have much of an impact because lawmakers already enacted a law that allows the hunt.

Tribes are planning a lawsuit to challenge to new law, saying their treaty rights are being ignored.

Get the Story:
Gun Lake Tribe hosts meeting on wolf's scientific and cultural importance (WZZM 11/4)
Michigan Election 2014: Major proposals on today's ballot (The Detroit Free Press 11/4)

Related Stories:
WKAR: Saginaw Chippewa Tribe holds vigil ahead of wolf hunt (11/14)
MPRN: Tribes plan challenge to state law authorizing wolf hunt (06/04)
Bryan Newland: Tribes, treaties and the Michigan wolf hunt (05/10)
Michigan Radio: Tribes in campaign to reverse wolf hunt law (01/23)