Four Michigan tribes who signed an 1836 treaty with the United States reached a deal over gathering rights in national forests.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians ceded millions of acres to the government in 1836. In exchange, they reserved access for hunting, fishing and gathering.

The U.S. Forest Service memorialized the agreement on Monday. It guarantees tribal access to Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and the Hiawatha National Forest in the Upper Peninsula.

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Tribes, Forest Service agree on plant gathering rights (AP 10/31)