Ed and Cindi John run a treaty fish company in Michigan. Photo from Facebook

On May 7, 1979, a federal judge affirmed the treaty-guaranteed fishing rights of three Michigan tribes.

The 1836 Treaty of Washington reserved rights for the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Judge Noel Fox, who died in 1987, wrote.

“The right is not limited as to the species of fish, origin of fish, the purpose of use or the time or manner of taking,” the decision read, Interlochen Public Radio reported for The Living Memory Project.

Cindi John, a member of the Grand Traverse Band, and her family continue to exercise those rights. They run the Treaty Fish Company out of Grand Traverse Bay.

“They’re what feeds us and keeps the lights on,” John told IPR. “We’re really blessed that we can make a living like this.”

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Today in 1979, tribes win in court (Interlochen Public Radio 5/7)