Robin Clark, a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was recently appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.
It's the first time an Anishinaabe woman has been given a seat on the state body that regulates game orders and hunting seasons in the state.
Clark is currently the Sault Tribe's director of natural resources, where she leads management efforts for the tribe's fisheries, wildlife and forests.
Clark told WCMU she's honored to take on this responsibility and plans to bring a new perspective to the commission.
"A lot of my work I have focused on Anishinaabe knowledge and sciences in terms of working with the forests and wildlife," Clark said.
Clark added that her experience will also help the commission and Michigan Department of Natural Resources with ongoing talks about how to better manage the state's deer population.
"My dissertation research was focused on cedar swamps, which are critical wintering habitat for deer in the Upper Peninsula," Clark explained.
Clark's term on the commission is a four-year appointment.
Editor's note: In the interest of transparency, we note the Michigan DNR is a financial supporter of WCMU.