Chippewa Federation Passes Resolution to Support Bad River’s Opposition to Enbridge Easements

September 30, 2019 by Barbara With

The Chippewa Federation met today at Legendary Waters in Red Cliff, Wisconsin and passed a resolution to stand with the Bad River Band in their lawsuit against Enbridge:

“A Joint Resolution from the Six Bands of the Anishinaabeg Territory Watersheds and Waters of Western Lake Superior; Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, Sokaogon Chippewa Community and Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

“Support for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s decision to oppose easements for Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline through the Mashkiigong-ziibi (Bad River) Watershed and the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority’s decision to support removal or decommissioning Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 in the 1836 Treaty-ceded waters at Lake Michigan and Lake Huron Straits of Mackinac

“WHEREAS, the Six Bands of the Lake Superior Chippewa are signatories or successors to the Treaty of 1837, 7 Stat. 536, and the Treaty of 1842, 7 Stat. 591; and

“WHEREAS, the Lake Superior Chippewa Bands hold rights to hunt, fish and gather on lands and waters ceded in the Treaty of 1837, 7 Stat. 536, and the Treaty of 1842, 7 Stat. 591, which rights were adjudicated by the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Lac Courte Oreilles, et al. v. State of Wisconsin, et al.; and

“WHEREAS, Moningwanakaaning (Madeline Island) is a place rooted in connectivity to manoomin, spirit and story as the final stopping place in our migration story; has been a place that has always helped the Lake Superior Chippewa to hold strong to our values in protecting Lake Superior and its tributaries for future generations; and is intimately connected to Mashkiigong-ziibi (Bad River) and the Kakagon Sloughs by way of Shag-waw-me-guon (Chequamegon Point). These places comprise the ancient archipelago that the Lake Superior Chippewa have always depended on for clean drinking water, healthy natural resources, and mino bimaatiziiwin (the good life).

“WHEREAS, indigenous governments throughout Anishinnaabeg Territory and waters of western Lake Superior have significant concerns that the development of, and any release from, Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline along its routes would have devastating impacts on unique hunting, fishing and gathering resources, as the pipeline routes directly cross inland navigable waters within ceded territories and rivers and streams that empty into Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Six Bands of the Anishinaabeg Territory and waters of western Lake Superior hereby state their support for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s decision to oppose easements for Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline through the Mashkiigong-ziibi (Bad River) Watershed and the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority’s decision to support removal or decommissioning Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 in the 1836 Treaty-ceded waters at Lake Michigan and Lake Huron Straits of Mackinac.

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall be the policy of the Six Bands of the Anishinaabeg Territory and waters of western Lake Superior until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.

Moningwanakaniing, Madeline Island. Photo: Mike Wiggins Jr.

Featured Photo: Joe Brusky / Overpass Light Brigade