Subject Matter Expert

Larry Wawronowicz received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from Western Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University (SIU) with an emphasis on Fisheries. Wawronowicz worked in SIU’s Fisheries Research Laboratory on numerous fish culture and fisheries management projects with aquaculture being the focus.

Wawronowicz was hired by the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in 1984, to teach and learn fish culture and fisheries management techniques, in which Wawronowicz retired in 2021. During his time (37 years) as the Natural Resource Director for the Tribe, Wawronowicz helped develop and direct a comprehensive Tribal Natural Resource Department with a highly dedicated and professional staff. The Natural Resources programs were all designed to manage and conserve treaty resources in order to protect and strengthen hunting, fishing and gathering rights for the Ojibwe Nation. Clean air, water and land are all needed to maintain these Treaty Rights.

Throughout the years, fish culture was Wawronowicz’s focus and he raised numerous species of fish for stocking reservation and ceded territory waters. Species raised were walleye, muskellunge, cisco, brown trout, lake sturgeon and white suckers to fry and fingerling sizes. Wawronowicz was involved in designing and constructing several fish hatcheries/raceways/pond facilities and a LEED certified Tribal Natural Resource Office Building. Wawronowicz and Tribal Natural Resources staff dedicated extensive time and effort in providing hands-on educational experiences in natural resource/environmental management (grade, high and college students) through an Indigenous Arts and Science Program.

Wawronowicz has been married to his wife, Kamewin (Doreen, a retired Ojibwemowin teacher) for 32 years and has two sons Animikii (Jake), a Marine Veteran and Kanesah (John). Both sons are attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They are Lac du Flambeau Tribal members.