MARQUETTE - Activists protesting the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. mine slated for northern Marquette County are pleased with their efforts to take their "Stand for the Land" protest to the state capitol this week.
More than 150 participants gathered for about three hours on the capitol steps in Lansing Thursday, including members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and members and tribal council officials from the Little Band of Ottawa Indians from Manistee.
The downstate tribe presented a resolution pledging support of the KBIC and the peaceful protest action of some of its members at Eagle Rock, where Kennecott plans to drill the portal for the nickel and copper mine.
"All our helpers were there and I feel we were heard," said Charlotte Loonsfoot, a KBIC member from Baraga who was arrested for trespassing at the mine site last week.
Loonsfoot was the first to begin the stand at Eagle Rock with Chalsea Smith. Both women began camping at the site considered sacred to the Native Americans April 23.
"I am just very proud that the Little River Band passed a resolution approving support of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and their legal efforts to stop the Kennecott mine at Eagle Rock," Loonsfoot said. "I pray all tribes will pass the same resolution."
The rally featured speakers and singers.
"The group then walked to the governor's office and presented the environmental justice petition of over 1,000 signatures before attending the Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting enmasse where many gave public comment," said Cynthia Pryor of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.
Activitsts began collecting petition signatures after a public forum in Marquette in late April. The petition being circulated contends the proceedings to allow the mine have been "faulty and go against all the precepts of environmental and social justice." That petition is also expected to be sent to the civil rights office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Prior to leaving on the trip, some of the topics group members said they had planned to discuss included treaty rights, the use of state lands for the gains of a private multi-national corporation, the current inaccessibility of Eagle Rock and the violation of rights of communities through a lack of engagement by permitting agencies related to the mine.
John Pepin can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. His e-mail address is jpepin@miningjournal.net
