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Stanley Sivertson, July 4th, 1965
Message from David C. Barnum:
The creation of this web site has its origins from the efforts of Grant Merritt
to link the Original Families together through the Isle Royale Original Families
Association (IROFA). I look at this site as a place where those who care about
Isle Royale can share their history and love of the island as well as a tool to
organize and make our case to NPS. Is there a blatantly selfish motivation for
the site? Yes, I want to maintain my heritage that now goes back 5 generations
to the late 1800’s of the Barnums on Barnum Island, Isle Royale. Does that
negate the positive contribution I can make to the park if NPS were to rethink
the 70 year old doctrine of removing the families from the island, to allowing
them to stay under suitable conditions to all parties? Of course not. The
picture of Stanley Sivertson, illustrates this point. Many people don't remember
who he is and what role he played on Isle Royale . Yet just about any Original
Family member could tell you a unique story about Stan that reflects the history
and culture of the last 100 years on Isle Royale. An NPS "interpretive" program
cannot provide that kind of rich texture to the island history. Our site offers
the opportunity to discuss these ideas and to share our experiences on the
island.
I
have not met our new superintendent Phyllis Green. Everything I have heard is
very positive. Her actions to date indicate someone who wants to listen first,
and then form her own opinions. This is wise. She has offered some of us a
two-year extension on the Special Use Permit, and in one case extended it to 5
years. I know these are difficult decisions not made in a vacuum. All of the
Original Families know that there are limits to what can be done. However, we
have all seen that the Superintendent has the authority to allow families to
continue to maintain their history, heritage and culture on Isle Royale. It is
our commitment to provide this Superintendent the justification to make that
choice. I look forward to being on the island this year to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of Sunset Cottage on Barnum Island. I invite participation on this
site by anyone who cares about Isle Royale. Please contact me if you want to
know more about the Isle Royale Original Families Association.
 Jim
Marshall, the chairman of Lake Superior Magazine and the writer of the popular
Lake Superior Journal wrote a column featuring the Isle Royale Original Families
in the current July edition of Lake Superior Magazine. You can link to the
magazine by clicking the images next to this text. You must purchase a copy of
the magazine to read the article. Jim is one of the foremost experts on Lake
Superior and has been to Isle Royale many times and personally knows most of the
Original Families. Letters to the editor regarding your thoughts on this issue
would be welcome.
Below
you can read the title section from the National Park System Advisory
Boards report which came out last summer and helps to make the case that the
Original
Families are making. Click on the link to read the entire report. Some may argue
that as “summer” residents that we do not meet the right standard. This is a
question that needs to be given some thoughtful consideration and it would be
useful to hear discussion on this question or on the larger questions raised in
this fascinating report on the message board. Those arguing against us should
consider that once a family is removed from the island that this “irreplaceable
connection” is lost forever. A question to the National Park Service personnel
is whether you feel Original Family members have benefited your experience and
the experiences of visitors on Isle Royale? Would you like to see those who
follow you to benefit in the same way?
V. Nurturing Living Cultures and Communities
- The
National Park Service should help conserve the irreplaceable connections that
ancestral and indigenous people have with the parks. These connections should be
nurtured for future generations.
-
Parks should become sanctuaries for expressing and reclaiming ancient feelings
of place.
-
Efforts should be made to connect these peoples with parks and other areas of
special significance to strengthen their living cultures.
 Last summer
the word filter into Washington Harbor that NPS, in partnership with Michigan
Tech were forming a new entity, the Isle Royale Institute (IRI). We heard
various rumors, the most persistent being that IRI would be headquartered on
Barnum Island, and that all 4 families would be removed and replaced with
institute personnel and their guests at the beginning of 2002. A meeting was
arranged with NPS, and IRI on Barnum Island the end of July. Families from
Barnum Island, Johns Island and Washington Island were on hand to meet with a
group headed by Betsy Rossini of NPS and Bruce Rafert of IRI. A constructive
discussion that lasted several hours ensued on Enar and Betty Strom’s
porch (see below pictures). Many members of the Original Families had an
opportunity, for the first time, to express our feelings as group. As a result
NPS and IRI decided to hold off on making a final decision on the disposition of
Barnum Island. We were told for the first time that we would be allowed to
return next year. The Original Families who attended the meeting felt that all
parties involved came away with a new perspective on the situation. Certainly
IRI learned that they would not be moving into vacant buildings, as it appeared
they believed. The Original Families at the meeting expressed a desire to be of
assistance to IRI as it defines its mission and seeks to put together programs
to educate people about Isle Royale. Subsequent conversation with the IRI
indicates a possible mutual interest in working together.
Click on the icon above and
check out some of the courses being offered this summer by IRI.
 KDLH, the CBS
affliate in Duluth, recently aired a segment during the 10:00 News on Barnum
Island and our efforts to work with the NPS in order for the families of
Washington Harbor to maintain their history and heritage on Isle Royale. I
apologize that I was not able to provide advance notice, but if this segment is
run again I will try to get that information on the web site. Last summer Rob
Heverling, KDLH News Director, and Dave Stokes, cameraman came to Barnum Island
and stayed overnight. Dave shot a lot of film and Rob interviewed just
about everyone including Clara Sivertson and Enar and Betty Strom. We shared a
traditional planked fish dinner with them. Rob tells me that they have hours of
great footage and that they may use some of it in future stories on Isle Royale.
I am curious if anyone has any ideas about how some of this footage could be
used by IROFA and NPS to connect the visitors to the families. It would also be
nice to get some feed back from those of you who saw the segment. |
