The public is invited to a FREE event, open to all, to protect water and sacred sites from the threat posed by the Back Forty Mine project.
Join water protectors, beginning at Noon on Friday, July 16, at Stephenson Island, 1680 Bridge St., Marinette, WI, to celebrate and bless the Menominee River -- with participation by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, the Indigenous Caucus of the Western Mining Action Network, and the Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc.
A special ceremony will be held by members of the Menominee Nation to bless the waters of the Menominee River, which is their namesake River and the location of many sites sacred to the Tribe.
The celebration continues with updates on the mining threat facing the Menominee River, including a keynote speaker and longtime environmental advocate -- Dr. Al Gedicks of the Wisconsin Resources Protection Council.
MUSIC -- Larry Mullins and band will present river songs and showcase the three custom-built guitars to be raffled off at 3:30 p.m. Entitled the "River’s Edge Trio," these guitars were handcrafted by Warren McKenney and appraised at $4,500. The winning ticket will receive all three guitars! Proceeds from ticket sales go to support the mission of the Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc.
FOOD -- Dorothy’s Haven of Hope will provide food at the event. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, brats, hot dogs, chips, soda and water will be available for sale, as a fundraiser for Haven of Hope. The first 100 people in attendance will receive a coupon for a FREE hot dog! Please go to the Coalition booth next to the stage for your coupon.
The event will conclude with a Bridge Walk -- mine protestors walking with signs to show opposition to plans that could endanger sacred sites and the health of both the River and residents or visitors to the area.
Mark your calendar for July 16 -- supporters of the Menominee River would love to see you there!
Stephenson Island is located in the Menominee River within the boundary of Marinette, Wisconsin, at a latitude of 45.1019294 north and longitude 87.6292735 west, at an elevation of 587 feet. It is named after Isaac Stephenson, a prominent politician and lumberman in Marinette at the turn of the 20th century. The island is operated as a city park and is uninhabited. US Highway 41 runs across it, providing access to the park's pavilion, gazebo, playground, and picnic areas. A footbridge to the island connects from the Marinette side of the river, adjacent to the Wisconsin Tourist Information building and the Stephenson Public Library. The island is a popular place for access to the Menominee River for sport fishing and launching recreational boats. The island's facilities host Marinette's "Sunset Concert Series" for Marinette's concerts. (Other concerts in the series are hosted by Marinette's twin city, Menominee, Michigan.)
Editor's Note: Water protectors spent July 1-4 celebrating the river with their 3rd Annual 4-Day Menominee Canoe Trip. Watch for photos and videos, coming soon!
