Native water protectors complete 309-mile walk to Lansing in protest against Line 5 pipeline under Mackinac Straits

By Michele Bourdieu
With photos by Marshall Anderson*
and others from We Walk for Water (N'biish Nibimosaadaanaa)**

On March 30, 2019, Native water protectors, concluding a long walk from the Mackinac Bridge to Lansing, and their supporters walk down Michigan Avenue in Lansing on the way to the Capitol building to call for shutting down Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. (Photo © Marshall Anderson for Keweenaw Now)

LANSING -- Water protectors arrived on schedule in Lansing on Friday, March 29, after their 25-day walk from the Mackinac Bridge to Lansing in protest against Enbridge's Line 5 Pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.

Departing on Feb. 25 from Levering, Michigan, a few miles below the Bridge, where a group of Anishinaabek had been camping in winter weather to protest Line 5, the Native American water walkers defied more inclement weather during their 309-mile trek to the Capitol building in Lansing, where they gathered on Saturday, March 30, in a peaceful demonstration of concern for the water.

Poster showing the water walkers' route courtesy "We Walk for Water" on Facebook.**

Nancy Gallardo, Indigenous Two Spirited Woman, was one of the original three walkers, along with Cody Bigjohn Jr. and Sarah Jo Chomin. Gallardo, 63, said she walked the entire 309 miles. She noted she is proud to be 63 and felt that, with Sarah Jo and Cody, their group of three represented all ages -- "All with the same message, SHUTDOWN LINE 5."

Nancy Gallardo, left, is pictured here with Sarah Jo Chomin and Cody Bigjohn Jr. on March 30, when they arrived in Lansing for the final mile of their walk. (Photo courtesy Cody Bigjohn Jr.)

Gallardo, who now lives in Grand Rapids, spent time last year in protest camps -- the camp at Cross Village and then the Anishinaabek Shutdown Line 5 Camp at Levering. She said she believes each individual is important to the care and maintenance of the Great Lakes.

"We are stewards not only of the Great Lakes but also of streams and rivers," Gallardo said. "Know where your drinking water sources are coming from. Educate yourself and importantly share that information."

Along their route, the water walkers invited supporters to join them for parts of the walk.

Dan Corn of Petoskey told Keweenaw Now he joined the group and walked more than 30 miles with them until they reached Rapid City, Mich.

Dan Corn of Petoskey, far right carrying umbrella, walks with the water protectors during the first part of their trek -- through the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. (Photo © Cody Bigjohn Jr. and courtesy We Walk for Water Facebook page)

"My participation was solely on the fact that I am a grandfather and felt that I had to help as much as possible, to protect our water and bring awareness for our future generations," Corn said. "They are the ones that will inherit our mess if we don’t take a stand and show our support for big oil accountability. I also have had some friends pass away over the past year or so and wanted to walk in honor of them as well, so I was filled with pride every step I took as each step was peaceful protest against Enbridge and every other company that threatens the well being of our natural resources and treaty rights."

He added, "The others walked many more (miles) than I did. I was just happy and humbled to have participated."

On Saturday, March 30, walkers were joined by other water protectors, some of whom drove long distances to Lansing to show their support.

Participants first gathered at Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing on Saturday afternoon and walked across Grand River and along the river to the Capitol building.

Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson of Ionia, Mich. -- Midewewin Grandmother, Tsimphean Nation, Three Fires Lodge -- and former director of the Native Center at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., participated in the Lansing walk.

Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson of Ionia, Mich., joins other walkers at the Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing, where they gathered for the walk to the Capitol Building on March 30, 2019. (Photo © Peggy Mcnew and courtesy Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson)

"Many tribes were represented including people from Pennsylvania who were also with me at Standing Rock, South Dakota," Jackson said. "We were there to honor and protect our fresh waters from the Michigan Great Lakes. The Line 5 pipelines will only damage Earth's Eater supply. Oil spills like Kalamazoo will take a hundred years to clean up. Meanwhile our water is getting undrinkable. Protecting our fresh water is in everyone's best interest. Native people care enough to walk 300 miles, what will you do?"

Keweenaw Now guest photographer Marshall Anderson walked with the group to capture these views of the final mile in their walk for the water.

Water protectors begin their walk at Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing. (Lansing photos © Marshall Anderson for Keweenaw Now unless otherwise indicated.)

Undaunted by the cold, damp weather, walkers cross the bridge over Grand River. Leading the walkers is Cody Bigjohn Jr., in red jacket.

 Another view of crossing the bridge.

This sign explains why water protectors did not complain about the rainy day.

Walking along the river toward the Capitol.

Leaders of the walk head up the wet Capitol steps.

This walker carried an umbrella with a message.

Chanting "Water is Life" and "Shut down Line 5," water protectors at the Capitol Building in Lansing display their banner calling for a shutdown of Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.

Also joining the water walkers for the last mile of their walk was Lansing resident Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for Oil and Water Don't Mix, and Michigan program organizer for Clean Water Action.***

"The activism of the water walkers serves as an example to us all," McBrearty told Keweenaw Now. "In the fight to shut down Line 5, we are facing one of the largest and wealthiest corporate polluters in the world and we need people from across Michigan stepping up like these people have to protect our water."

Notes:

* Guest photographer Marshall Anderson, originally from Gay, Mich., is now a resident of Lansing. He formerly worked as a news photographer for The Daily Mining Gazette.

**Click here to see more photos in the discussion on the We Walk for Water Facebook page.

*** Learn more about Line 5 on Oil and Water Don't Mix.
To learn about Clean Water Action in Michigan click here.

Attorney General Nessel finds Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority Law unconstitutional; Gov. Whitmer issues directive to halt actions in furtherance of PA 359

Attorney General Dana Nessel. (Photo courtesy Michigan.gov)

LANSING -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued her first formal legal opinion on March 28, 2019, finding the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority law, Public Act 359 of 2018, unconstitutional because its provisions go beyond the scope of what was disclosed in its title. Governor Gretchen Whitmer had sought the Attorney General’s opinion on the constitutionality of Act 359 in a request submitted on January 1, 2019.

In her opinion, the Attorney General concludes that certain provisions of Act 359 -- including those transferring all authorities related to a utility tunnel from the Mackinac Bridge Authority to the Straits Corridor Authority and requiring the Corridor Authority to enter into an agreement for the construction of a tunnel if a proposed agreement was presented by a specific date and met listed criteria -- are unconstitutional because they violate Article 4, Section 24 of the Michigan Constitution, referred to as the Title-Object Clause.

Specifically, the clause provides that "no law shall embrace more than one object, which shall be expressed in its title. No bill shall be altered or amended on its passage through either house so as to change its original purpose as determined by its total content and not alone by its title." [Emphasis added]

As the opinion itself notes, when describing the importance of the clause, former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cooley explained that "the framers of the constitution meant to put an end to legislation of the vicious character referred to, which was little less than a fraud upon its own merits …." Cooley was referring to legislation that didn’t give lawmakers clear notice of what they were voting on.

Finally, the Attorney General concludes in her opinion that "any court determination that Act 359 is unconstitutional would likely apply that decision retroactively, and conclude that the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority, its Board, and any action taken by the Board are void from their inception."

The Attorney General’s opinion process included public comments from more than a dozen organizations and individuals, as well as a review of the opinion by the office’s Opinion Review Board, which is comprised of eight senior assistant attorneys general with appellate writing experience.

Gov. Whitmer's response

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Photo courtesy Michigan.gov) 

On March 28, 2019, after reviewing the opinion issued by Attorney General Nessel, Governor Whitmer signed an executive directive instructing state departments and agencies to halt any actions in furtherance of the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority law, Public Act 359 of 2018.

"I agree with the conclusion reached by Attorney General Nessel," Whitmer said in a press release. "The Great Lakes are our most precious resource in Michigan, and because of their significance, I’ve instructed state departments and agencies to halt any actions in furtherance of this law."

Executive Directive 2019-13 directs state departments and autonomous agencies not to take any further action regarding Act 359 and to report to the governor’s legal counsel regarding actions taken since the bill was passed.

Oil and Water Don't Mix response

On March 28 leaders of the Oil and Water Don't Mix campaign to protect the Great Lakes from oil pipelines praised actions by Gov. Whitmer on Line 5 in response to the attorney general’s opinion and urged her to move quickly in decommissioning Enbridge’s troubled Line 5.

"The backroom deals creating Enbridge’s proposed oil tunnel couldn’t survive public scrutiny and now we know they can’t survive the rule of law," said Liz Kirkwood, executive director of FLOW (For Love of Water). "It’s time to focus on Michigan’s true energy future and protect Michigan’s Great Lakes and our economy from a Line 5 pipeline rupture. The path forward for Michigan is for Gov. Whitmer to immediately begin the process of decommissioning Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac."

Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for Oil and Water Don’t Mix, said the attorney general's opinion protects Michigan from agreements that only benefit Enbridge.

"The attorney general is rightfully wiping the legal slate clean and now Gov. Whitmer has the opportunity to put Michigan on a path that doesn’t lead to a disastrous outcome for the Great Lakes and Michigan," McBrearty said. "Her decision to halt all Line 5 activity is a significant and appropriate step forward and has our full support."

Celebrate the UP! with UPEC March 29-30 in Marquette

Celebrate the UP! with the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC), Friday, March 29 - Saturday, March 30, in Marquette. Music, videos, presentations, panel discussions and more. Free and open to all. (Poster courtesy Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition)

MARQUETTE -- All are invited to join the 11th annual Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) event CELEBRATE THE UP! featuring keynote speaker Dave Dempsey on "The Sixth Great Lake," videos, live music, dozens of speakers and panelists, and informational sessions highlighting the U.P. environment!

Kick-off events Friday, March 29

Events begin on Friday with the Quarterly meeting of the UPEC Board, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., followed by the UPEC Annual Meeting, with review of the year and the Board election, at 4:30 p.m., at the Federated Women’s Clubhouse.

The Ore Dock Brewing Company will be the scene of Friday's evening events.

Enjoy UPEC short video contest winners and dance to Conga Se Menne on Friday, March 29, at the Ore Dock Brewing Company. (Poster courtesy UPEC)

UPEC's short video contest award winning videos will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Live music by Conga Se Menne (Yes, Finnish Reggae!) will begin at 8 p.m. Bring your dancing shoes! A $10 donation is suggested.

Events all day Saturday, March 30

David Dempsey, author and environmental policy specialist, will deliver the keynote address, "The Sixth Great Lake," at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Federated Women’s Clubhouse.

Individual sessions will be offered from 10:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. They include the following:

• Rolf and Candy Peterson, Canoeing around Isle Royale

• Michael Loukinen, filmmaker, Burbot Fishing in the Copper Country

• Panels on wind power and mineral rights

• Phil Watts, local climbing adventures

• Mark Doremus, filmmaker, the Back Forty Mining Proposal on Menominee River

• Michele Tuccini, open-air landscape painting

• Ryne Rutherford, amphibians and reptiles

• Karena Schmidt, lichens

• Michael Neiger and Chris Ozminski, Arctic expeditions and survival

• Joe Kaplan, bird habitat restoration

• Brandon Gerig, fisheries and aquatic ecology 

Click here to learn about the panelists. Click here for the Program with photos of the presenters.

See details in this Schedule:

Presentations and Panels will be held in the Federated Women's Clubhouse, the Landmark Inn and the Peter White Public Library Community Room. Click here for a larger version of the Schedule with times and locations.

At 3:30 p.m. in the Peter White Library Community Room the Plenary Panel "Catch a Moment in Time" will feature Iconic UP Images.

All are welcome to the Closing Reception at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Federated Women's Clubhouse. Enjoy snacks, refreshments and live music with singer-songwriter Terri Bocklund.

For more information about the event email upec@upenvironment.org or call 906-201-1949. To learn more about UPEC visit upenvironment.org or find them on Facebook.

Concerned residents speak out against UPX mineral lease requests at DNR public meeting

By Michele Bourdieu

Mark Sweatman, third from left, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Office of Minerals Management, speaks about mineral leases requested by UPX Minerals, Inc., a division of Highland Copper, at a Dec. 4, 2018, DNR public meeting to give information and take comments on the UPX requests. Also seated at the table are, from left, Steve Casey, now retired, former Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Upper Peninsula District coordinator, Water Resources Division; Don Mankee, DNR Forest Resources Division; and Julie Manson, property manager, Lease Management Unit, DNR Office of Minerals Management. (Photo © and courtesy Jeremiah Eagle Eye)

MARQUETTE -- -- Citizens concerned about mineral lease requests from UPX Minerals Inc., a division of Highland Copper, filled the Charcoal Room of Northern Michigan University's University Center for an informational meeting held by officials of Michigan's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Dec. 4, 2018. DNR officials provided some information on mineral rights in Michigan and tried to answer questions from the public, but some questions went unanswered.

During the question-answer session of the well attended Dec. 4, 2018, DNR public meeting at Northern Michigan University, residents concerned about parcels nominated for mineral lease requests by UPX Minerals listen to DNR officials' replies to their questions. As monitor of the meeting, DEQ's Steve Casey, now retired, circulates through the audience with a microphone to take questions. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Many property owners asked questions related to the fact that, in Michigan, severed minerals occur when the mineral estate, which includes metallic mineral rights, is severed from the surface estate. In this case, one party may own the right to farm the land, build a house, or graze cattle, while another party may own the right to explore for and produce the metallic minerals from beneath the land at the same property, if such minerals exist.

UPX is seeking to lease thousands of acres of State-owned minerals in Marquette County. These mineral properties are underneath private property, homes, camps, rivers and streams, lakes, wetlands -- even nature reserves and the DNR’s own Rocking Chair Lakes. Located 25 miles northwest of Marquette, the Rocking Chair Lakes are a natural area, managed for trout fishing, in a rugged and nearly inaccessible part of Marquette County.*

Granite Cliff Community along (North) Rocking Chair Lake is one sensitive area included in recent mineral lease requests to the State of Michigan by UPX Minerals, a subsidiary of Highland Copper. (File photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

"Our property was nominated, and that's how I got involved, Sue Beckstrom-Noël told Keweenaw Now. "We have a creek that flows into the Dead River basin, and we have wetlands on our property that feed into that creek."

Sue Beckstrom-Noël comments during the Dec. 4, 2018, DNR public meeting at Northern Michigan University. (Photo © and courtesy Jeremiah Eagle Eye)

Some residents, whose properties are outside the parcels nominated for leasing mineral rights, were still concerned because of their own property's proximity to a parcel nominated for leasing by UPX.

Dennis Ferraro, who lives on Eagles' Nest Road, and his neighbor, Amy Frieden, were among the landowners concerned about potential leases near their properties. Ferraro said his property is only about three or four miles from Echo Lake, which is one of the areas included in the lease request.

Dennis Ferraro, who lives near an area nominated for a UPX mineral lease, expresses concern about the public health impacts of sulfide mining. (Photo © and courtesy Jeremiah Eagle Eye)

Speaking for herself and her neighbors, Amy Frieden told Keweenaw Now, "We're all pretty concerned about the health effects that sulfide mining will have."

This detail from one of the UPX lease request maps shows the nominated parcels near Echo Lake (left of center). Green boxes mean State owns mineral and surface rights. Boxes with diagonal lines going one way /// are classified as development with restrictions. Those with diagonal lines going both ways are classified as non-development. Click here for the complete map. (Map courtesy Michigan DNR)

Marcia Gonstead of Big Bay shared her experience living 13 miles from the Eagle Mine, noting concerns about the noise of mining trucks, her health and her water.

Should a UPX mineral lease request be approved by DNR, UPX would receive the exclusive right to explore for the presence of metallic minerals in these areas. A lease alone does not grant a lessee a right to mine. While a decision on the leases of state-owned mineral rights was to be made in February, so far the DNR Web site does not indicate a decision has been made. The local residents who gave comments at the Dec. 4 meeting were unanimously opposed to the lease requests and/or the mining exploration those leases would allow, which could lead to further sulfide mining and threats to the environment.

Videos: DNR officials reply to questions

The first part of the Dec. 4 meeting was devoted to questions presented in written form on cards and to open verbal questions from the audience. Steve Casey, now retired, former Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Upper Peninsula District Coordinator, Water Resources Division, read the written questions and assisted officials from the DNR's Office of Minerals Management in moderating the meeting.

Julie Manson, property manager with the Lease Management Unit of the DNR’s Office of Minerals Management, replied to a question on mineral rights ownership.

Julie Manson, DNR property manager, explains how mineral rights may be severed from the surface property and how the fact that Michigan is not a recording state makes it difficult at times to determine the mineral rights owner. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)**

Mark Sweatman, director of the Michigan DNR's Office of Minerals Management, explained that when mineral rights are severed from the surface estate, the mineral estate becomes the "dominant estate" and the surface estate becomes the "servient estate." Sweatman also noted that royalties on state-owned minerals are constitutionally protected. Those funds are used for parks and recreation, wildlife, etc.

Mark Sweatman, director of the Michigan DNR's Office of Minerals Management, fields questions from concerned residents at the Dec. 4, 2018, public meeting on mineral lease requests by UPX Minerals Inc. (Photo © and courtesy Jeremiah Eagle Eye)

"People are paying for the resources they're taking from the State," Sweatman said. "We are getting paid for the use of our land or for the taking of those minerals."

On the other hand, Sweatman gave an example of the State of Michigan, as the surface owner, being sued for opposing drilling by an owner of mineral rights under sand dunes. In that case, the court ruled against the State and Michigan had to pay $90 million.

A question from the audience referred to that example in expressing concern that an individual surface-only property owner is in a worse position than the State if drilling occurs on his/her land. Another audience member asked about the possibility of mediation between a property owner and a lessee.

Mark Sweatman, director of the Michigan DNR's Office of Minerals Management, replies to questions on loss to an individual surface property owner when drilling for minerals occurs and on mediation between the surface owner and the lessee. This video clip shows the "standing room only" at the meeting.

Sweatman also replied to a question on monitoring, based on recent exploratory drilling by Highland Copper near the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. He explained interaction between Highland Copper and the DNR helped avoid surface damage within the park. Sweatman said the DNR required various safeguards to protect the surface features at the park, including drilling only when the ground was frozen. Some damage was done during the exploratory drilling, but it was outside the park boundaries.***

In the case of Rocking Chair Lakes, Sweatman explained the lease classification of "non-development."

Using the example of Rocking Chair Lakes, Mark Sweatman explains that the classification of "non-development" in a potential mineral lease would require a specific plan to protect the surface.

This DNR map of UPX lease requests shows the area of Rocking Chair Lakes (in upper left detail here). Pink boxes mean State owns mineral rights. Green boxes mean State owns mineral and surface rights. Boxes with diagonal lines going one way /// are classified as development with restrictions. Those with diagonal lines going both ways are classified as non-development. Click here for full map of UPX lease requests in this area of Champion Township. (Map courtesy Michigan DNR)

Chris Burnett of the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy asked DNR officials how they determine value, for example, the value of water rights vs. the value of mineral rights.

Following up on his question, Kathleen Heideman, board member of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) and member of UPEC's Mining Action Group, asked if DNR officials -- before the lease nomination process -- consider their own management plan to determine the actual value of resources that would be impacted should mining occur because of the mineral values below the surface.

Chris Burnett and Kathleen Heideman challenge DNR officials with questions on the value of resources other than the minerals targeted by the mineral lease requests.

Sweatman asked Don Mankee of the DNR Forest Resources Division to reply to their questions on value.

DNR officials attempt to answer questions on resource values, noting that while Rocking Chair Lakes is a sensitive area it can be classified as non-development and still be leasable.

Videos: Concerned residents offer comments to DNR

The last half hour of the Dec. 4 meeting was devoted to individual comments (not questions) from members of the audience.

Marquette County resident Dennis Ferraro commented on mercury pollution from mining, offering facts from recent scientific research, including a study by Charles Kerfoot,  Michigan Tech professor emeritus in Biological Sciences, and his research team.

Dennis Ferraro cites scientific studies on threats to human health from sulfide mining, especially the danger from mercury pollution in local wetlands. Since Ferraro speaks longer than the three minutes allowed for comments, Steve Casey asks him to stop and calls for DNR security.

Horst Schmidt, UPEC president, thanked DNR officials for having the meeting and acknowledged the role played by UPEC's Mining Action Group in calling attention to the mineral lease issue. He also mentioned several ongoing mining projects in sensitive Upper Peninsula areas.

In his comments, UPEC President Horst Schmidt cites the need for this meeting between the DNR and the public and notes how ongoing sulfide mining projects in the Upper Peninsula have been permitted and encouraged by state legislation.

Jeffery Loman of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community contrasted Alaska, where residents receive royalties from oil, with the U.P., where the potential for a renewable fishing industry has been hindered by clearcutting and stamp sand waste from century-old mining.

Jeffery Loman of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community speaks about the future economic potential for fishing as opposed to non-renewable industries like mining.

The UPEC / Mining Action Group's Kathleen Heideman commented on why the minerals in Marquette County should be left in the ground and why landowners should be given the right to re-unite mineral rights to their properties. Heideman reminded DNR staff members that the DNR is reviewing the Lake Superior Watershed Partnership's Watershed Plan, which covers most of the area of the UPX mineral lease requests and recommends not allowing sulfide-based mining in these areas. She also explained why the DNR's nomination process should include contacting landowners.

Kathleen Heideman of UPEC and its Mining Action Group challenges the DNR mineral leasing nomination process in her comments at the Dec. 4, 2018, public meeting in Marquette.

During his comments at the meeting, Chris Burnett of the U.P. Land Conservancy, learned that the parcels owned by his group and nominated for mineral lease had been withdrawn. While he was glad to hear that, he expressed concern about the nomination process and whether DNR staff actually made site visits to learn about the areas they were leasing.

As a landowner whose property has been nominated for a mineral lease, Sue Beckstrom-Noël noted that the DNR is operating under certain restraints. She challenged residents to be pro-active and continue to speak out if they wish to change laws in order to protect this beautiful environment.

Chris Burnett of the U.P. Land Conservancy and landowner Sue Beckstrom-Noel offer challenging comments during the Dec. 4, 2018, DNR public meeting. 

Following the meeting, in answer to a question from Keweenaw Now, Mark Sweatman said, "It (the meeting) accomplished all of my goals for informing the public."****

Notes:

* See our May 9, 2018, article, "Landowners alarmed by Highland Copper subsidiary's mineral lease requests; Highland completes Copperwood 2018 winter exploration in Porkies."

 ** See "Digging into severed mineral rights (Showcasing the DNR)," by Michigan DNR.

*** See our May 12, 2017, article, "DEQ cites Highland Copper's wetlands, soil erosion violations from mining exploration in Porkies, along CR 519."

**** For more information on the UPX mineral lease requests, click here and scroll down to UPX Minerals Inc. Direct Mineral Lease Request for additional links.

UPDATED: Celebrate World Water Day at Michigan Tech March 20-26

Michigan Tech invites the community to celebrate the 2019 World Water Day March 20-26. (Poster courtesy Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech will celebrate World Water Day from March 20-26, 2019, with events related to the United Nations theme, "Leaving No One Behind - Human Rights: Near and Far." The public is invited to attend the following events.

Green Film Marathon for Justice: Two screenings -- March 20 and 26

Marathon for Justice, a documentary by EmpathyWorks Films, tells the story of marginalized communities in Philadelphia, the Navajo Nation, and the Black Hills emphasizing the environmental injustices that these groups struggle against and fight with daily. (Photo courtesy Cultural Survival)

Events begin with a showing of the Green Film Marathon for Justice (2016) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, in G002 Hesterberg Hall, Michigan Tech Forestry Bldg. Marathon for Justice explores the ways in which people of color have been disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals in/on the air, land, and water. Meet communities around the country who have experienced the detrimental effects of pollution, contamination and the degradation of their lands and find out how these citizens are mobilizing in the long race for justice (44 min). The film will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Marie Richards, Michigan Tech PhD student, Department of Social Sciences, and enrolled Citizen of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Baawting Anishinaabeg).

Enjoy coffee and refreshments. Cost: FREE, $5 suggested donation.

A second screening of Marathon for Justice will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, in in Room 202, Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC).

A Panel Discussion, "Leaving No One Behind," will follow the film at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. Moderators will be Valoree Gagnon, director of University-Indigenous Community Partnerships, Great Lakes Research Center, and Emily Shaw, MS, Environmental Engineering Science. Panelists will include Monica Lewis-Patrick, We the People of Detroit; Kathleen Smith, Habitat Specialist/Plants Program, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department; Peter Baril, REHS, MPS, Director of Community Planning and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department; Angie Carter, assistant professor in Environmental/Energy Justice, Social Sciences, Michigan Tech.

Following the Panel Discussion the GLRC will host a Recognition of Artists and Reception at 5:45 p.m. with refreshments provided by GLRC. A concluding ceremony with the Woodland Singers will follow at 6:15 p.m.

UPDATED: Keynote Address: "Mapping the Water Crisis of Unaffordability" Monday, March 25

The Keynote Address for the World Water Day celebration will be "Mapping the Water Crisis of Unaffordability" by Monica Lewis-Patrick, human rights activist and advocate and co-founder, president and CEO of We the People of Detroit, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 25, in Michigan Tech's Memorial Union Building Ballroom (MUB).

Through her work with We the People, Lewis-Patrick has set up emergency water stations, opened hotlines, delivered water, provided education and conducted community research to raise awareness about water shutoffs and water affordability in Flint and Detroit. She is one of the leaders at the forefront of the water rights struggle in Detroit and beyond.

Recently, Lewis-Patrick co-designed and co-authored "Mapping the Water Crisis: The Dismantling of African-American Neighborhoods in Detroit" as volume one of a three-part series documenting the effects of austerity and its relationship to race in Detroit.

The Keynote lecture will be preceded by the Welcome to Traditional Homelands by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Woodland Singers from the Ojibwe and Menominee Nations. The lecture will be followed by an open reception. 

(Insert photo of Monica Lewis-Patrick © Jackie Hicks and courtesy Michigan Tech University)

POSTER SESSION: Monday, March 25

Preceding the Keynote Address, Michigan Tech students will be available from 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Monday, March 25, for informal discussions with visitors to the Poster Session in the Memorial Union Building Ballroom.

Wilderness Art Show opening reception: Tuesday, March 26, in GLRC

The Wilderness Art Show for World Water Day will be on exhibit March 21 - June 14, 2019, in the Great Lakes Research Center. (Poster courtesy GLRC)

The Wilderness Art Show for World Water Day opens on Thursday, March 21 and continues through June 14, 2019, in the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), first and second floors.

Exhibiting artists are Daniel Hill from Six Nations of the Grand River Reservation in Ontario Canada; Josh Jaehnig, Bramble and Stag Tattoo Parlour, Houghton; and Jonathan Soper, graphic designer and entrepreneur in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

An opening reception for the artists will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, in the GLRC. Regular building hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

World Water Day Sponsors include the Great Lakes Research Center, Department of Social Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Sustainable Futures Institute, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Visual and Performing Arts and the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region.

Green Film sponsors are Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Keweenaw Land Trust, Michigan Tech Dept. of Social Sciences, and Michigan Tech Sustainable Futures Institute.

Power by the People: Renewable Energy Reduces the Highest Electric Rates in the Nation

Pictured here are solar panels installed on the campus of Michigan Tech University, where researchers have found renewable and distributed generation energy sources can save Michigan electric consumers money. (Photo © Sarah Bird and courtesy Kelley Christensen)

By Kelley Christensen, Michigan Tech science and technology publications writer

Posted March 14, 2019, on Michigan Tech News
Reprinted in part here with permission

Coal is the primary fuel source for Midwest electric utilities. Michigan Technological University researchers found that increasing renewable and distributed generation energy sources can save Michigan electric consumers money.

As renewable energy technologies and access to distributed generation like residential solar panels improve, consumer costs for electricity decrease. Making electricity for yourself with solar has become more affordable than traditional electricity fuel sources like coal.

However, as three Michigan Tech researchers contend in a new study, while utility fuel mixes are slowly shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewable sources, Michigan utilities, and U.S. utilities broadly, continue a relationship with fossil fuels that is detrimental to their customers. ... Click here to read the rest of this article and learn about the researchers on Michigan Tech News.

DNR's Western UP Citizens' Advisory Council to meet in Dickinson County March 21

MARQUETTE -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Western Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council is scheduled to discuss deer camp survey results, Michigan moose history and responses to council resolutions when the panel meets on Thursday, March 21, in Dickinson County.

The meeting will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EDT), in Room 231 at Bay College West, located at 2801 North U.S. 2 in Iron Mountain.

Five new members will be introduced to the council. DNR staffers will offer division reports. Committee reports will also be delivered.

The public can participate in the session by offering comments to the discussion during two specified periods during the meeting. Click here for public comment instructions.

The DNR’s eastern and western Upper Peninsula citizens’ advisory councils are designed to provide local input to advise the DNR on regional programs and policies, identify areas in which the department can be more effective and responsive and offer insight and guidance from members’ own experiences and constituencies.

The council members represent a wide variety of natural resource and recreation interests. Agenda items are set by the council members and council recommendations are forwarded to the DNR for consideration.

To find nomination forms to be considered for a future council member vacancy, or to locate meeting packets and agendas, visit Michigan.gov/UPCAC.

For more information, contact the DNR Upper Peninsula coordinator’s office at 906-226-1331.

The Western Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council draws its membership from 10 counties in the region -- Marquette, Delta, Dickinson, Menominee, Baraga, Iron, Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton and Keweenaw.

The Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council represents Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac and Chippewa counties.

Sen. Stabenow Statement on Great Lakes funding cuts in Trump Administration budget request

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). (Photo courtesy Sen. Stabenow)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, released a statement today on the proposed Trump Administration budget that would make a 90 percent cut to funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative:

"The Trump Administration just doesn’t get it and is once again gutting funding for the Great Lakes," Stabenow said. "Just like last year, and the year before, the people of Michigan will make their voices heard and I will lead the bipartisan fight to restore every penny."

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which Senator Stabenow authored in 2010 and has continued to champion, is critical to cleaning up the Great Lakes, beaches, and waterways and fighting invasive species like Asian carp. According to the University Research Corridor, more than 700,000 Michigan jobs, one in five in the state, are tied to water.

During Sen. Stabenow's Apri 2017 visit to Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center, she commented on the need to push back against the Trump Administration's efforts to defund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative:

Following a 2017 presentation by Amy Marcarelli, Michigan Tech associate professor of biological sciences, concerning Great Lakes research on invasive species and algal blooms, Sen. Debbie Stabenow comments on the importance of GLRI funding for Great Lakes scientific projects. Seated next to her is former Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz. (File video by Keweenaw Now)*

President Trump proposed cutting funding to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in his 2017, 2018, and 2019 budget requests. Senator Stabenow led the effort to restore that funding all three years.

* Editor's Note: Click here to read our Apr. 24, 2017, article, "Sen. Debbie Stabenow learns about Michigan Tech's Great Lakes research during visit to GLRC."

Is "Michigan’s Mining Future" a Shared Vision?

This photo of the Triple A Road near Big Bay, Michigan, shows impacts on a previously forested environment caused during construction of the Eagle Mine. (Photo courtesy Save the Wild U.P., now UPEC's Mining Action Group)

Posted on Feb. 22, 2019, by the Mining Action Group of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition
Reprinted with permission.

 MARQUETTE -- Environmental groups working to protect Upper Michigan’s natural resources from the environmental hazards of metallic mining are questioning the intent of the "Michigan’s Mining Future" legislation, introduced by State Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette).

House Bill 4227 would create a governor-appointed "Committee on Michigan’s Mining Future."

The purpose of the advisory-only committee would be to develop "legislative and policy recommendations" to "enhance the growth of the mining, minerals and aggregate industry" and "strengthen and develop a sustainable mining industry in Michigan."

"House Bill 4227, in its focus on economic development, ignores the scope of environmental problems caused by mining," said Horst Schmidt, president of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC). "Environmental groups may be invited to the table, but the make-up of this committee suggests the outcome -- more mining -- is almost inevitable. Meanwhile, we are still spending hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up after historic mining booms: polluted lakes and streams, abandoned mines, mercury in wetlands, tailings that threaten Lake Superior fisheries, and more. We advise U.P. residents to keep all options open, rather than going head-long into more disastrous mining cycles."

Jon Magnuson of the Interfaith Northern Great Lakes Water Stewards said, "We applaud Rep. Cambensy’s effort, but raise cautionary questions about the balance of representation on the committee. A larger vision of wise environmental stewardship is required, and the understanding that we must live within 'sustainable' limits in order protect our natural resources."

According to Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) Deputy Policy Director Sean Hammond, MEC cannot support this bill in its present state because it fails to include natural resource protection from mining.

"This legislation in its current state does not provide a good framework to protect Michigan’s precious natural resources when considering future mining projects," Hammond noted. "Although this bill does provide a platform for a needed discussion on the future of mining, especially with continued questions on the implementation of our mining statutes, the way in which it is currently written too heavily favors growing mining, with no mention of natural resource protection. Therefore, we cannot support this bill."

Kathleen Heideman of the Mining Action Group (formerly Save the Wild U.P.), who has studied many mining industry applications for permits to mine in the Upper Peninsula and has challenged several of them at public hearings, questioned the bill's suggestion that mining is central to Michigan's future.*

"I welcome the news that the State may be ready to take a clear-eyed look at mining in the Upper Peninsula," Heideman said. "As the district most impacted by metallic mining, we must understand mistakes of the past and address current regulatory challenges, in order to ensure a 'sustainable' environment going forward. This bill suggests a foregone conclusion: that mining is central to Michigan’s future. Is that true? I am not convinced that we have a shared vision of Michigan’s future."

UPEC Board member Jeffrey Towner said House Bill 4227 in its present form describes a committee that is unbalanced, with environmental and tribal groups underrepresented.

"The long-term impacts to the human environment from mining are at least as, if not more, important than expanding mining operations in Michigan," Towner said. "But the proposed Committee -- three representatives of the mining industry, a union representative, and two faculty members specializing in geology or mining, versus only two representatives of environmental groups -- would relegate those speaking for the environment to token representation, stacking the deck six to two, plus one position for a recognized Native American representative. We suggest that the committee be expanded to include two faculty members with specialties in ecology, water quality, wildlife biology, or a related field, and four, rather than two, representatives of environmental organizations. Only with such a committee makeup will there be a fair balance of interests."

Environmental groups in the U.P. say they were not involved in crafting House Bill 4227.

"In the past 175 years, Michigan’s environment has suffered greatly in the pursuit of mining profits. And in the past ten years, we’ve had enough of the 'economy over environment' paradigm, with environmental agencies doing as much to facilitate the exploitation of our public trust resources as they do to protect them," said Jon Saari, board member of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition. "We look forward to meeting with Representative Cambensy to share our vision of Michigan’s future."**

For more info on House Bill 4227, click here. To learn about State Rep. Sara Cambensy and to see her contact information click here.

Notes:

* The UPEC Mining Action Group (MAG), formerly known as Save the Wild U.P., is a grassroots effort to defend the clean water and wild places of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from the dangers of sulfide mining. Contact the Mining Action Group at info@savethewildup.org or call 906-201-1949. Learn more about the Mining Action Group at miningactiongroup.org.

** Founded in 1976, the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition’s purpose remains unchanged: to protect and maintain the unique environmental qualities of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by educating the public and acting as a watchdog to industry and government. UPEC is a nonprofit, registered 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, call 906-201-1949, see UPenvironment.org, or contact: upec@upenvironment.org.

Editor's Note: Michigan House Democrats appear to believe that HB 4227 "would create [a] committee to develop safe, sustainable mining strategies." See "Cambensy Bill Lays Groundwork for Michigan’s Mining Future."

Anishinabek Nation mourns passing of Grandmother Water Walker Josephine Mandamin

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare greets Grandmother Josephine Mandamin as she arrives at the 2017 Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly in Aamjiwnaang First Nation with other Water Walkers. (Photo courtesy Anishinabek News)

Posted on Feb. 22, 2019, in Anishinabek News* 
Reprinted here with permission.

ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE -- The Anishinabek Nation mourns the passing of our Grandmother, our Water Commissioner, our kind and gentle Water Protector, Biidaasige -- Josephine Mandamin.

"It is a very sad day. We have lost a great advocate, teacher, and role model. She will be so deeply missed by all and will be fondly remembered for all of what she did to protect the water. Our prayers are with Josephine as she begins her journey home into the Spirit World and back to her ancestors," expressed Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare. "Our thoughts of comfort are with Josephine’s family and community as they prepare for her journey."

Josephine Mandamin, originally from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and affectionately called Grandmother Water Walker or Grandmother Josephine, dedicated her life to protecting the water and giving it a voice. She made it her life’s mission to raise consciousness about the fragility of water and emphasize that water is precious, sacred, and one of the basic elements required for all life to exist. Water is life.

"Through all of the years of Josephine’s determination and dedication to raise awareness through her legendary Great Lakes Water Walks, it is my hope that the world hears her message -- that water is life!" stated Grand Council Chief Hare. "Our world is a better place because of Josephine’s efforts and those of us who will continue her work to protect our life-giving Nibi, not only to honour her legacy, but to ensure water, the world over, is protected. What a remarkable Anishinaabkwe we have had the absolute pleasure of knowing and learning from."

Grandmother Josephine founded Mother Earth Water Walks -- an initiative that brings awareness to the risks and threats to the health and sustainability of our waterways. Through that initiative, she has walked the shorelines of the five Great Lakes as well as in all four directions of Turtle Island -- bringing water from all oceans together. She has walked the equivalent of half of the earth’s circumference while building awareness about pollution, laws, fracking, and the selling of water.

As part of her advocacy role, she conducted community ceremonies where she would unite communities with water and empower them to start their own water walks to bring awareness to local lakes and watersheds. Grandmother Josephine has touched the lives of many and inspired a whole new generation of water walkers and warriors.

In her capacity as the Chief Commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation Women’s Water Commission, she was a predominant contributor and leader of the Great Lakes Guardians’ Council, established under the Great Lakes Protection Act. She was also previously on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 2006.

She was also honoured with an Anishinabek Nation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation in 2016 for Excellence in Conservation for Water Walks, and received distinctions and honours from the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Sean Atleo, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Ontario Native Women’s Association and from the Mayor of Duluth Minnesota.

* Thanks to Anishinabek News for this article. Please visit their Web site here.

Editor's Note: Keweenaw Now wishes to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Josephine Mandamin and her fellow water walkers. We had the privilege of meeting Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, her sister Melvina Flamand, and her grandson Joshua Metansinine at Ojibwa Community College in Baraga, where they spoke to Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) members during their 2011 Water Walk.

Josephine Mandamin speaks to water walkers and visitors during the reception held by Keweenaw Bay Indian Community members on June 8, 2011, at Ojibwa Community College in Baraga, Michigan. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Click here to read our Aug. 5, 2011, article, "Updated: KBIC welcomes 2011 Mother Earth Water Walk participants."

UPDATE: Grandmother Josephine would be proud of these water walkers, now on their way from Mackinaw City to Lansing to protest Line 5: "Indigenous trio walks from Mackinaw City to Lansing to call for a shutdown of Line 5."

Gov. Whitmer signs new Executive Order aimed at cleaning up Michigan’s drinking water

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (Photo courtesy Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer)

LANSING -- On Wednesday, Feb. 20, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new executive order to continue moving forward on her commitment to create the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which will fight for clean drinking water, protect the Great Lakes, mitigate PFAS, and address climate change. The new executive order was issued to replace Executive Order 2019-2, which was voted down on a party-line vote by the Michigan Legislature.*

"Every Michigander deserves safe, clean drinking water, and I’m not going to let partisan politics slow down the important work that needs to get done right now to protect public health," said Whitmer. "That’s why I’m taking action to sign this new executive order so we can start cleaning up our drinking water, protect the Great Lakes, and take action to address climate change."

This new Executive Order, 2019-6, restructures the Department of Environmental Quality as the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, which will be focused on improving the quality of Michigan’s air, land, and water, protecting public health, and encouraging the use of clean energy. The new department will oversee Offices of Climate and Energy, Clean Water Public Advocate, and Environmental Justice Public Advocate and will serve as a full-time guardian of the Great Lakes, our freshwater, and our public water supplies. EO 2019-6 requires submission to the legislature and takes effect after 60 days.

Per the order, the Environmental Science Advisory Board will be eliminated. The Environmental Rules Review Committee and the Environmental Permit Review Commission will remain intact while the governor awaits a response from the Attorney General on the legality of these commissions. 

Executive Order 2019-2 received strong bipartisan support from Michigan businesses, environmental groups, and advocates such as Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Governor Snyder’s former director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Heidi Grether.  

To view the full executive order, EO 2019-6, click here.

*Editor's Note: See our Feb. 6, 2019, article, "Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs executive orders, directive to protect water, combat climate change; legislators oppose her efforts."

Michigan Attorney General joins states opposing Trump’s National Emergency Declaration

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. (Photo courtesy Michigan.gov)

LANSING -- (Feb. 18, 2019) Calling President Donald J. Trump’s declaration of a national emergency "a manufactured crisis," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 15 other states to seek an injunction against the president’s actions.

The states joined forces in opposition to the president to "protect revenue, natural resources and economic interests" from Trump’s "flagrant disregard of fundamental separation of powers." The president’s declaration will redirect federal funding already appropriated for the states and divert it toward building a wall along the border between the United States and Mexico.

"This fake emergency is a publicity stunt that will raid our federal funding and cost us millions," said Nessel. "We cannot in good conscience stand by while our president seeks to undermine our own efforts to keep our residents safe and our military strong."

The Michigan National Guard has more than 10,000 soldiers and airmen, employs a substantial number of employees on a full-time basis, and operates more than 40 facilities in the state. The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs receives a majority of its funding from the federal government. It performs missions training and prepares citizen soldiers and airmen to respond to, among other things, state emergency response, military support, and protection of local communities. Loss of funding negatively impacts this vital service for the State of Michigan.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in the lawsuit led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Virginia.

Editor's Note: Moveon.org reports thousands protested against Trump's national emergency declaration on President's Day, Feb. 18, in events across 48 states. Click here for photos.