Resolution opposing iron ore mine in the Penokee Hills, Wisconsin

Resolution on the taconite mine in the Penokee Hills, northern Wisconsin in the Lake Superior watershed.

WHEREAS, the rights of the indigenous people of northern Wisconsin accorded in the 1854 Treaty with the Chippewa and reaffirmed in the 1983 District Court decision allowing walleye spearfishing anywhere in the ceded territories, include freedom to hunt, gather wild rice, and fish, while living without disruption in the lands granted them in the Treaty,* among others rights and

WHEREAS, there is no reason to believe the proposed taconite mine in the Penokee Hills area will do anything other than irreparably destroy the wetland and forest environment which is part of the Homeland of these Tribes, rendering this Treaty between the Tribes and the US Government (not the State of Wisconsin) null and void (to mine this ultra low-grade ore will require immense mountaintop removal processes) and

WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin have absolutely no reason to trust the Governor, the State Legislature, nor the G-Tac corporation nor have confidence in their good intentions of protecting the health and well-being of the people nor the common wealth (resources) of the state, the whole of the Great Lakes, nor the international covenants in the Great Lakes Compact,

NOW, THEREFORE, it is RESOLVED that the Workers Party Political Action Committee make the stopping of the Penokee Hills mining projects its top priority in terms of political action work until the mine is stopped indefinitely, and until such time (if ever) as the Bands of the Lake Superior Chippewa democratically decide that such mining should proceed. (At present the Bad River Band unconditionally opposes).

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED The State of Wisconsin will cease and desist from interference with these existing treaties and the international compact in this matter, to which the US Constitution's 10th amendment has no applicability.

Proposed adopted 12/8/2011
at founding meeting of this Workers' Party PAC
Stevens Point, WI

 

*See:  Walleye Warriors, Bresette & Whaley, pp. 12-21, Brief History of the Anishinabe.