KBIC expresses “delight” yet “disappointment” with Judge’s decision on Eagle Rock

September 17, 2009

by Michele Bourdieu

Baraga, Michigan – Susan J. LaFernier, vice-president of the

Susan LaFernier, KBIC vice-president, addresses the crowd at Eagle Rock during the Protect the Earth event on Aug. 2, 2009

Susan LaFernier, KBIC vice-president, addresses the crowd at Eagle Rock during the Protect the Earth event on Aug. 2, 2009

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), announced today, Sept. 16, 2009, that KBIC was “delighted” that Administrative Law Judge Richard Patterson ruled it was necessary for Kennecott Mining Company to protect Eagle Rock as a traditional place of worship. However, she added disappointment with his decision to uphold mining and ground water permits previously approved for Kennecott by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) — since the mine is expected to have potential adverse effects on the environment.

To read the remainder of this article, by Michele Bourdieu, please visit the article page, at Keweenaw Now.


Protect the Earth 2009: Part 2, Walk to Eagle Rock

August 8, 2009

by Michelle Bourdieu

Marquette County, Michigan - The Walk to Eagle Rock, a sacred Native American site on the Yellow Dog Plains, on Sunday, Aug.2, 2009, was a

Over 175 people walk to Eagle Rock, on the Yellow Dog Plains; Photo courtesy Michele Bourdieu

Over 175 people walk to Eagle Rock, on the Yellow Dog Plains; Photo courtesy Michele Bourdieu

community event, bringing together people of at least three, if not more, generations — Native and non-Native — from Michigan, neighboring Great Lakes states and even from the far West.

To read the rest of this article, by Michele Bourdieu, please visit Keweenaw Now.


Protect the Earth 2009: Part 1

August 5, 2009

by Michele Bourdieu

Marquette, Michigan — Last weekend, Aug. 1-2, “Protect the Earth 2009,” the second annual Great Lakes Community Gathering of people opposed to metallic sulfide and uranium mining in the

Utah activist, Tim DeChristopher, presents at Northern Michigan University on August 1

Utah activist, Tim DeChristopher, presents at Northern Michigan University on August 1

Upper Peninsula and nearby Great Lakes states, offered workshops with expert speakers; musical entertainment; Native American dance, drumming and spiritual ceremonies; and a two-mile walk to Eagle Rock. This Native American sacred site is a proposed target of the “Eagle” Project, Kennecott-Rio Tinto’s potential metallic sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains near Marquette.

For the complete article by Michele Bourdieu, please visit Keweenaw Now.

See below for an excellent speech given by Susan LaFernier, Vice Chair of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, at Eagle Rock on August 2.


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.