john coleman (colemanj@calshp.cals.wisc.edu) - for the Midwest Treaty Network
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A message from the Sokaogon Chippewa Community,
Indigenous Environmental Network , and Midwest Treaty Network
Dear Friends,
We would like to invite you to gatherings being held in June 1994, at the
Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community, on Highway 55 just south of Crandon,
Wisconsin.
Environmental Genocide:Aho Gaawiin Gago (No Go Away) is the theme combining
the 5th Annual Protect Mother Earth Conference (Wed.-Sat., June 15-18),
which is sponsored by the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), and the
9th Annual Protect the Earth Gathering (Sat.-Sun., June 18-19), sponsored
by the Midwest Treaty Network (MTN).
Both events are hosted by the Nii Win Intertribal Council, which unites the
Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa, Forest County Potawatomi, Menominee, and
Stockbridge-Munsee. Nii Win means "four" in the Ojibwe language-standing
for the four nations opposed to Exxon's proposed Crandon / Mole Lake
zinc-copper sulphide mine. Acidic wastes from the mine would poison Mole
Lake's productive wild rice beds, and fish in the nearby Wolf River. The
mine endangers the culture of the Sokaogon Chippewa, and the economy of all
who live in the area.
The two events are being combined this year, in order both to draw maximum
attention to the mining issue, and to increase the cooperation between
indigenous and non-indigenous environmentalists. The Protect Mother Earth
Conference of the Indigenous Environmental Network has historically brought
together Native peoples from around the continent and beyond to discuss and
strategize about similar threats to the survival of indigenous nations.
The Protect Mother Earth Conference has previously been held at Dilkon
(Din! Nation, Arizona), Bear Butte (South Dakota), Celilo Village (Columbia
River, Oregon), and the Sac & Fox Nation (Oklahoma). It will begin on
Wednesday, June 15, with a special focus on the local concerns about
mining. It will continue on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning with
presentations, forums, workshops, caucuses, and evening programs in the
areas of water, air, fire, land, community organizing, and sustainable
development.
The Protect the Earth Gathering has brought together a mainly non-Indian
environmental community with Native activists from the local region. Mole
Lake Judge Fred Ackley is the present keeper of the Protect the Earth
staff. The gathering's focus has historically been been on the Great Lakes
watershed, and on the issues of mining and other threats to the region's
water. It started in 1986 at Mole Lake, and now returns after gatherings
in Ladysmith, Lac Courte Oreilles, and Lac du Flambeau. Protect the Earth
has usually centered on a weekend in order to draw larger local and
regional participation. The Gathering of the Waters, a symbolic mixing
together of water from different watersheds around the region and the
world, will take place at midday Saturday. Forums, circles, and music
concentrating on local and regional environmental issues (and strategies to
stop mining) will continue on Saturday and Sunday morning.
Mole Lake's Strawberry Moon traditional powwow will also take place on the
weekend of June 18-19. The IEN and MTN have always taken their spiritual
direction from the local community, in an atmosphere of respect for
cultural self-determination. A lot of hard work needs to be done at
these gatherings on a local, regional, national, and international level,
as well as a lot of learning and listening. The Mole Lake Sokaogon
Chippewa Community is hosting a historic event that will help protect its
lands, and bring together different communities.
This is a camp-out gathering. Displays are welcome for an environmental
fair, and any vendors must register in advance. IEN travel scholarships
are available for indigenous people to attend.
(If you are unable to attend at all, please support the Nii Win fight for
survival in other ways. June 15 is the International Day of Support for
Wisconsin Indians. Picket offices of the Exxon or Rio Algom companies, or
U.S. embassies/consulates to protest environmental genocide through mining,
and fax accounts of your action to Mole Lake, 715-478-5275. Write letters
against the mine to DNR Secretary George Meyer, Box 7921, Madison WI 53707
USA.)
For information about "Environmental Genocide: Aho Gaawiin Gago", contact:
Indigenous Environmental Network (Box 485, Bemidji MN 56601); call Emily
Koenen, 715-682-6293), Midwest Treaty Network (731 State, Madison WI
53703); call Debi or Zoltan (608)246-2256, Carol 242-5644/244-3668 Nii Win
Intertribal Council (c/o Mole Lake, Rt. 1 Box 625, Crandon WI 54520); call
John Griffin, (715) 478-2604.
Signed,
Arlyn Ackley,Chairman, Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Tom Goldtooth, Spokesperson, Indigenous Environmental Network
Debra McNutt, Midwest Treaty Network
Walt Bresette, Anishinaabe Niijii