Folklorist Laurie Sommers presents a talk at the Michigan State University Museum entitled, Brotherhood of the lake: commercial fishing, work and livelihood in Leland's fishtown. Sommers describes the lives and work of Michigan's Great Lakes commercial fishermen, explains the evolution of the fishing industry in Leland and its decline in the face of over fishing, invasive species, competition, treaties and government regulation. Sommers says that Leland is one of the last working waterfronts in the Great Lakes which still has its original buildings. She also tells a tragic story of the death by exposure of fisherman Will Carlson after an on-board fire forced him into the cold water. Sommers is introduced by Professor John P. Beck, Associate Director, Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. Part of the "Our Daily Work/Our Daily Lives" Brown Bag series sponsored by the MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations and the MSU Museum and co-sponsored by the MSU Fisheries and Wildlife Department.
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