A group of Native Americans are on a 1300 mile journey from the Canadian border at International Falls to Washington D.C. Mike Simonson reports.

They’re supporting First Nation people in Canada. And they hope to meet with President Obama about it. Mike Simonson reports.

This has parallels to the 1500 mile sojourn taken by Chiefs Buffalo and Osaugee in 1852, from Madeline Island to Washington that resulted in a meeting with President Millard Fillmore. From that came the Treaty of 1854 which guaranteed reservation land for Ojibwe people.

This modern-day trek won’t be by canoe and train but by car. It began Thursday and could end up in the White House, if the “Idle No More” activists have their way. Organizer Cari Lyn Chapman says this is an important movement to protest Canadian legislation that lifts protections to navigable Canadian waters from exploration by mining companies and oil pipelines. “A lot of us have family and friends in Canada and we’re standing with them in solidarity. What affects them up there eventually affects us down here. We are doing the best we can to make noise down here.”

Chapman’s friend Jeannie Balber of Red Cliff is in the car caravan heading for Washington. Fiscal cliff negotiations or not…Chapman says the activists want to meet the President. “Who know?” (laughs) “The President is supposed to be pretty accessible, so they say. But whether or not he wants to discuss this topic or not remains to be seen.”

“Idle No More” wants Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Parliament to overturn legislation that lifted some environmental protections, including on First Nation reservations.

/////////////////////Jobless rates up in NW Wisconsin

Unemployment rates in November got worse in every northwestern Wisconsin county.

The best rate was once again Douglas County…at 5.8% compared to 5.3% in October. Ashland County went from 7% in October to 7.5%. Bayfield County saw the biggest jump from 7% to almost 11% in November.

Burnett County’s rate is at 7.2% in November, up from 6% in October. Iron County went from 10% to 12%. Sawyer County is at 10%, up from 7 and a half percent in October. Washburn County is at 7 and a half percent, which is higher than 6.3%. Price County had the lowest rate in October with just over 5%...and now has 6.3%.

////////////////////////Outdoor report

The DNR reports some solid cross-country skiing trails across northern Wisconsin. The Afterhours Trail in Brule is rated as very good to excellent with a few thin spots and some icy stretches.

Copper Falls State Park says winter is in full swing there. They’ve gotten more than 20 inches of snow and the park has an eight inch base. Good to excellent conditions at Waterfall and Granite Falls trails that have been groomed and rolled just yesterday.

Ice cover on northern Wisconsin lakes including Price, Sawyer, Ashland, Iron and Bayfield counties…is pretty consistent at 3 to 5 inches. Still, they urge caution because currents and bogs and stuff can make the icey dicey.

• New "Mentor Superior" program hopes for 75 volunteers in 75 days - 5/19/2013
• Theater production showcases Washburn history - 5/18/2013
• Ceremony this weekend at Potato River will protest Penokee Mine - 5/17/2013
• Wildfire firefighters get thanks and some sleep too - 5/16/2013
• DNR issues air quality alert, weather service says rain may help wildfire situation this weekend - 5/15/2013