tagged w/ KBIC
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(Big Bay, Michigan) – Residents of the Yellow Dog Watershed, whose tranquil life in nature has already been degraded by preliminary mining activities in the area, are inviting everyone to join Native Americans and leaders of various faiths for a day of prayer and fasting, this Sunday near Eagle Rock to honor Lake Superior.
The Lake Superior Day (Sun., July 18) event near Big Bay in north Marquette County is named "Under the Shadow of Eagle Rock: A Day of Prayer and Fasting."
Residents of the Yellow Dog Watershed hope the public will join in prayers for the protection of the environment where Kennecott Eagle Minerals is building a nickel and copper mine.
The event will run from sunrise to sunset with rituals, prayers, meditations and ceremonies every two hours on the hour.
Lake Superior Bi-National Forum and Lake Superior Day
http://www.superiorforum.org/
http://www.lakesuperior.com/lsdmain.html
Lake Superior Day 2010 events:
http://www.lakesuperior.com/lsdcalendar.html
Northland College and lake Superior Day
http://www.northland.edu/lake-superior-day.htm(Big Bay, Michigan) – Residents of the Yellow Dog Watershed, whose tranquil life... more
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This is from Jessica Koski of KBIC, who attends Yale University and has been a longtime warrior in the fight to protect sacred Eagle Rock and the Yellow Dog Plains.
It announces a new group and events for National Sacred Places Prayer Day involving Eagle Rock:
on Saturday, June 19, 2010 in two northern Michigan cities - Marquette and at the KBIC Powwow Grounds in Baraga.
National Sacred Places Prayer Day: Honoring our Water
All Welcome
June 19, 2010
Water Ceremony
Sunrise
Little Presque Isle Point
Marquette, MI
Community Potluck Picnic and Gathering
12 Noon
Baraga Powwow Grounds Pavilion
Baraga, Michigan
Please join us on Saturday, June 19, 2010 for a day of prayer to protect Native American sacred places.
We will gather at sunrise at Little Presque Isle Point on the shores of Lake Superior to pray for threatened sacred places and to honor the sacredness of the water and Mother Earth.
Eagle Rock, a sacred place to Anishinaabe people, is currently threatened as the proposed mine portal for the Rio Tinto/Kennecott Eagle Mine on the Yellow Dog Plains.
Our fresh groundwater, waterways and Lake Superior are threatened by the Eagle Mine and increasing sulfide and uranium mining interests throughout the Great Lakes region.
Native and non-Native people nationwide will gather at this time for Solstice ceremonies and to honor sacred places, with a special emphasis on the need for Congress to build a door to the courts for Native nations to protect our traditional churches.
We ask that all women who wish to participate wear a skirt in order to honor our traditional way. Women are also welcome to bring blue prayer ties and blue shawls for the water.
A community potluck picnic and gathering in honor of National Sacred Places Prayer Day will follow at the Powwow Grounds Pavilion in Baraga, MI at 12 noon.
Please join to show your support, ask questions and learn how you can help be a part of the movement to protect our sacred places, water and way of life for future generations.
Directions to Little Presque Isle Point:
From Marquette, Michigan, take 550 North towards Big Bay.
Turn right at the Blue Flag for Little Presque Isle Point.
Directions to Baraga Powwow Grounds Pavilion:
From L'Anse, Michigan take US 41 North towards Houghton.
Turn right at the Powwow Grounds sign.
Turn left at the red building and follow the road to the first pavilion.
Please contact jlkoski@gmail.com or 715-550-0124 if any questions.
Hosted by the Stand for the Land and Oshki Ogitchidaawin Aki (New Warriors for the Earth or NWE) which is a new Native/non-Native environmental organization grounded in Anishinaabe traditions with a mission to educate and empower our communities to take action on mining and other social-ecological issues facing our communities.This is from Jessica Koski of KBIC, who attends Yale University and has been a... more
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Ojibwa Treaty Rights trampled once again - by state of Michigan Kennecott Minerals
Stand for the Land Rally at Michigan Capitol: They sang, they cried, they proclaimed Mother Nature First! as Native Americans, non-Natives protested the raid on sacred Eagle Rock and continued the fight against Kennecott Eagle Minerals nickel and copper mine on the Yellow Dog Plains near Lake Superior
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/standforthelandrallymichigancapitolOjibwa Treaty Rights trampled once again - by state of Michigan Kennecott Minerals... more
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Eagle Rock Video Drew Nelson's Song:
Over 100 attended June 3 rally at the Michigan State Capitol protesting arrest of Ojibwa defenders at sacred Eagle Rock, sulfide mining in northern Michigan on the Yellow Dog Plains near Lake Superior in violation of Ojibwa Treaty Rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ces63iissEEagle Rock Video Drew Nelson's Song:
Over 100 attended June 3 rally at the... more
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Indian Country Today newspaper story just before large police raid on sacred Eagle Rock:
KBIC Tribal Council meets with campers at sacred Eagle Rock and vows to continue fight against an international mining company that is building a nickel and copper mine on land that Ojibwa have rights to hunt, fish, gather under federal treaty but are denied their treaty rights to the state-owned public land now leased to Kennecott Minerals.
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/94594944.htmlIndian Country Today newspaper story just before large police raid on sacred Eagle... more
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American Indians and non-natives are encouraged to visit the northern Michigan campsite that is blocking a sulfide mine - as in sulfuric acid - from being built under Sacred Eagle Rock.
Levi Tadgerson, an Anishinaabe man who loves and respects the environment, narrates this video that invites everyone to join the encampment at the base of Eagle Rock - the sooner the better because a confrontation between mine owners, the police and those protecting Sacred Eagle Rock could happen at any moment.
Tadgerson is a 22-year-old Northern Michigan University senior and member of Bay Mills Indian Community.
In the video, you will see the many amazing things happening to protect Sacred Eagle Rock including an appearance by popular American Indian singer/songwriter Elder Bobby "Bullet" St. Germaine of Iron River, MI - an elder of the Lac Du Flambeau tribe in Wisconsin.
He sings and leads a thank you drum under the shadow of Sacred Eagle Rock.
This video was shot on 4/29/2010.
Background:
Eagle Rock has been a sacred place to hold ceremonies since the Ojibwa tribe was created and was seeded to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) under treaties with the American government.
The multi-tribe encampment, that could be raided by mine guards and police at any moment, is blocking the Eagle Mine Project by international mining giant Kennecott Minerals and its parent company Rio Tinto.
KBIC member Glen Bressette Jr., 38, of Harvey, Michigan brought a rare legally-permitted Eagle has been received to award feathers to those who honor their tribes by protecting sacred Eagle Rock and other honorable actions.
Dozens of people from numerous tribes have spent days at the camp - and many others have brought supplies to the remote site on dirt roads about an hour from any city.
The state of Michigan has claimed ownership to the land - but the lease with Kennecott only takes effect when the mine has secured all permits.
Opponents say the mine must still get a federal EPA groundwater permit - but under a technicality the mine owners say they do not need the permit and recently put up “No Trespassing” signs.
The American Indians rushed to the sight after Kennecott ordered the arrest of longtime mine opponent Cynthia Pryor of Big Bay, MI on April 20, 2010.
Pryor was out for her usual walk on the Yellow Dog Plains when she spotted a bulldozer - and refused to leave saying the mine still had an EPA permit pending.
Pryor is a member of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.
Among the Ojibwa tribes from Michigan and Wisconsin on sight are KBIC, Lac Du Flambeau, and Bay Mills Indian Community.
As of April 30th, the mine guards has not confronted the campers - but the day before ordered no still or video cameras are allowed. That has campers worried about why what they do not want videotaped or documented - thus nerves are high.
When a reporter arrived a short time later - the campers allowed him on the sight and this story was videotaped.
For more information call:
1-906-401-0109
The video was produced by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI, which has founded numerous youth, faith and Native American related environment projects.
Bobby "Bullet" St. Germaine of Iron River, MI - a member of the Lac Du Flambeau tribe in Wisconsin.
He is a well-know longtime native singer:
http://www.bobbybullet.com
Petition to support Cynthia Pryor
www.savethewildup.org/jailed/petition
Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve:
http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/blog
Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP):
http://www.savethewildup.org
SWUP Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20079015072
SWUP Causes on Facebook
http://www.causes.com/causes/46130?recruiter_id=60587135
Stand for the Land blog:
http://standfortheland.com
Stand for the Land flickr photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49633257@N03
Stories by Gabriel Caplett and others on the “Headwaters: Citizen Journalism For the Great Lakes” website.
http://headwaters.net
Headwaters stories include opposition to the Kennecott Eagle Mine project and alleged international crimes and bad acts by Kennecott Mining and its parent company Rio Tinto:
“Taking a Stand”: Sacred Site Celebrated Despite Citizen Arrest
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/taking-a-stand-sacred-site-celebrated-despite-citizen-arrest
Pryor Ordered to Leave Jail:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/pryor-ordered-to-leave-jail
Cynthia Prior Pleads Not Guilty:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/cynthia-pryor-pleads-not-guilty
Cynthia Pryor arrested at mine property:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/citizen-arrested-for-%E2%80%9Ctrespassing%E2%80%9D-on-public-land/
Eagle Mine Concerns Raised at Rio Tinto Meeting:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/audio-rio-tintos-annual-general-meeting
Upper Peninsula Mine Threatens Sacred Tribal Rights:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-blog/upper-peninsula-mine-threatens-sacred-tribal-rights
Rio Tinto Stomps on Indigenous Rights in Upper Peninsula of Michigan:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-blog/rio-tinto-stomps-out-indigenous-rights-in-upper-michigan
Kennecott Minerals parent company Rio Tinto accused of crimes ranging from bribery to espionage to violating mining act:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/uk-serious-fraud-office-to-investigate-rio-tinto
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/rio-tinto-employees-charged-with-industrial-espionage-and-bribery
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/rio-tinto-pleads-guilty-to-breach-of-mining-management-act-again-2
USA Today and Washington Post stories from Associated Press by writer John Flesher article about Chauncey Moran, vice chairman of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and a volunteer stream monitor
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-09-08-276323347_x.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090800356.html
More stories and info about Chauncey Moran:
http://www.waterkeeper.org/ht/d/OrganizationDetails/id/707
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5AP05J20091126
Mining Journal stories:
Native American activists protest at Eagle Rock 4/25/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543341.html
Mining Journal Editorial: Cooler heads must prevail in mine protests 4/25/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543354.html
Pryor pleads not guilty to trespassing: Mining opponent arrested at Kennecott operation 4/21/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543227.html
Mine foe Pryor remains jailed 4/22/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543253.html
Rally Held at Eagle Rock
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543014.html?nav=5006
Mining Journal Video of Rally:
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543018.html?nav=5056
DEQ mine decision questioned 1/16/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/539169.html
Yellow Dog Plains on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Dog_Plains
Yellow Dog Plains Pix via Wikipedia By Maynard Leon and Kirill Zikanov (Wiki username Kirillz)
Trouble on the Yellow Dog Plains:
http://savethewildup.org/files/swup/265.pdf
GRANHOLM, DEQ DECISION CONDEMNED BY U.P.
http://www.ausableanglers.org/files/members/RIVERWATCH48.pdf
Protect the Earth: Part 2, Walk to Eagle Rock By Michele Bourdieu
http://keweenawnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/protect-earth-part-2-walk-to-eagle-rock.html
State of Michigan Info on Eagle Mine Project:
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4111_18442-130551--,00.html
Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute:
http://www.CedarTreeInstitute.orgAmerican Indians and non-natives are encouraged to visit the northern Michigan... more
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When officials with the Eagle Mine Project in Michigan's Upper Peninsula arrested Cynthia Pryor for trespassing in April 20, 2010, they didn't count on the public outrage over the jailing of this 58 year old grandmother and longtime environmentalist.
In this video, Pryor explains what happened before and after her arrest.
Cynthia Pryor of Big Bay, Michigan belongs to several environment groups including serving as the the Sulfide Mining Campaign Director for the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve. Her attorney, Kevin Koch of Negaunee, MI, says Pryor wants a jury trial on the misdemeanor charge.
Pryor is scheduled for a pretrial court hearing at 1 p.m. on May 6. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and or a $250 fine.
The video was produced by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI, which has founded numerous youth, faith and Native American related environment projects.
Petition to support Cynthia Pryor
www.savethewildup.org/jailed/petition
Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve:
http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/blog
Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP):
http://www.savethewildup.org
SWUP Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20079015072
SWUP Causes on Facebook
http://www.causes.com/causes/46130?recruiter_id=60587135
Stand for the Land blog:
http://standfortheland.com
Stand for the Land flickr photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49633257@N03
Stories by Gabriel Caplett and others on the “Headwaters: Citizen Journalism For the Great Lakes” website.
http://headwaters.net
Headwaters stories include opposition to the Kennecott Eagle Mine project and alleged international crimes and bad acts by Kennecott Mining and its parent company Rio Tinto:
“Taking a Stand”: Sacred Site Celebrated Despite Citizen Arrest
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/taking-a-stand-sacred-site-celebrated-despite-citizen-arrest
Pryor Ordered to Leave Jail:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/pryor-ordered-to-leave-jail
Cynthia Prior Pleads Not Guilty:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/cynthia-pryor-pleads-not-guilty
Cynthia Pryor arrested at mine property:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/citizen-arrested-for-%E2%80%9Ctrespassing%E2%80%9D-on-public-land/
Eagle Mine Concerns Raised at Rio Tinto Meeting:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/audio-rio-tintos-annual-general-meeting
Upper Peninsula Mine Threatens Sacred Tribal Rights:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-blog/upper-peninsula-mine-threatens-sacred-tribal-rights
Rio Tinto Stomps on Indigenous Rights in Upper Peninsula of Michigan:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-blog/rio-tinto-stomps-out-indigenous-rights-in-upper-michigan
Kennecott Minerals parent company Rio Tinto accused of crimes ranging from bribery to espionage to violating mining act:
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/uk-serious-fraud-office-to-investigate-rio-tinto
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/rio-tinto-employees-charged-with-industrial-espionage-and-bribery
http://headwatersnews.net/mining-article/rio-tinto-pleads-guilty-to-breach-of-mining-management-act-again-2
USA Today and Washington Post stories from Associated Press by writer John Flesher article about Chauncey Moran, vice chairman of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and a volunteer stream monitor
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-09-08-276323347_x.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090800356.html
More stories and info about Chauncey Moran:
http://www.waterkeeper.org/ht/d/OrganizationDetails/id/707
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5AP05J20091126
Mining Journal stories:
Native American activists protest at Eagle Rock 4/25/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543341.html
Mining Journal Editorial: Cooler heads must prevail in mine protests 4/25/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543354.html
Pryor pleads not guilty to trespassing: Mining opponent arrested at Kennecott operation 4/21/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543227.html
Mine foe Pryor remains jailed 4/22/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543253.html
Rally Held at Eagle Rock
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543014.html?nav=5006
Mining Journal Video of Rally:
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543018.html?nav=5056
DEQ mine decision questioned 1/16/10:
http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/539169.html
Yellow Dog Plains on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Dog_Plains
Yellow Dog Plains Pix via Wikipedia By Maynard Leon and Kirill Zikanov (Wiki username Kirillz)
Trouble on the Yellow Dog Plains:
http://savethewildup.org/files/swup/265.pdf
GRANHOLM, DEQ DECISION CONDEMNED BY U.P.
http://www.ausableanglers.org/files/members/RIVERWATCH48.pdf
Protect the Earth: Part 2, Walk to Eagle Rock By Michele Bourdieu
http://keweenawnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/protect-earth-part-2-walk-to-eagle-rock.html
State of Michigan Info on Eagle Mine Project:
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4111_18442-130551--,00.html
Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute:
http://www.CedarTreeInstitute.orgWhen officials with the Eagle Mine Project in Michigan's Upper Peninsula arrested... more
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See Links to vote below:
Please vote daily through August 30, 2009 for story about Rev. Jon Magnuson's nonprofit environment projects in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Vote for the story by Donna Kumpula about the EarthKeeper Initiative and the Zaagkii Project
It was weekly winner in April but now its competing against about 19 others for the big prize . Money that would help fund the projects for a year.
You'll need to register - or login if you have voted before.
Its entitled:
Creating numerous environment projects that bring together diverse groups, students, American Indians
Link to story is near end of list on lower right hand side of page.
http://www.friendsofelsie.com/friends.asp?action=register
Or go directly to story – and register or log-in:
http://www.friendsofelsie.com/SingleSensations.asp?action=readStory&story=70
Brief summary of projects your vote would support:
The interfaith Earth Keeper Initiative:
The interfaith EarthKeepers planted twelve thousand (12,000) trees across northern Michigan for Earth Day 2009 thanks to over 100 churches/temples from 12 religions.
During past Earth Day projects, the EarthKeepers have recycled or properly disposed over nearly 400 tons of waste including cellphones, computers (and related equipment), printers, car batteries, poisons, pesticides, oil-based paint, pharmaceuticals and much more.
The Zaagkii Project:
This summer Native American youth and at-risk teens are repairing the ecosystem along a Lake Superior beach, built dozens of Mason Bee houses including some to be placed at the U.S. National Gardens in D.C.; Native American teens this month are helping build a greenhouse for native species plants on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation.
Last summer the teens built dozens of butterfly houses for migrating Monarchs.See Links to vote below:
Please vote daily through August 30, 2009 for story about... more
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Please vote daily through August 30, 2009 for story about Rev. Jon Magnuson's nonprofit environment projects in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Vote for the story by Donna Kumpula about the EarthKeeper Initiative and the Zaagkii Project
It was weekly winner in April but now its competing against about 19 others for the big prize . Money that would help fund the projects for a year.
You'll need to register - or login if you have voted before.
Its entitled:
Creating numerous environment projects that bring together diverse groups, students, American Indians
Link to story is near end of list on lower right hand side of pagfe.
http://www.friendsofelsie.com/friends.asp?action=register
Or go directly to story – and register or log-in:
http://www.friendsofelsie.com/SingleSensations.asp?action=readStory&story=70
Brief summary of projects your vote would support:
The interfaith Earth Keeper Initiative:
The interfaith EarthKeepers planted twelve thousand (12,000) trees across northern Michigan for Earth Day 2009 thanks to over 100 churches/temples from 12 religions.
During past Earth Day projects, the EarthKeepers have recycled or properly disposed over nearly 400 tons of waste including cellphones, computers (and related equipment), printers, car batteries, poisons, pesticides, oil-based paint, pharmaceuticals and much more.
The Zaagkii Project:
This summer Native American youth and at-risk teens are repairing the ecosystem along a Lake Superior beach, built dozens of Mason Bee houses including some to be placed at the U.S. National Gardens in D.C.; Native American teens this month are helping build a greenhouse for native species plants on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation.
Last summer the teens built dozens of butterfly houses for migrating Monarchs.Please vote daily through August 30, 2009 for story about Rev. Jon Magnuson's... more
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Presbyterian EarthKeeper Jill Martin of Ford River Township in Delta County writes the fourth of seven columns about the environment and the interfaith Upper Peninsula (U.P.) EarthKeeper Tree Project that planted 12,000 trees across the Upper Peninsula in early May 2009.
The EarthKeeper columns and news stories appeared in numerous U.P. newspapers including the Marquette Mining Journal, the Escanaba Daily Press, the Iron Mountain Daily News, the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette, the St. Ignace News, the Marquette Monthly and the Ironwood Daily Globe.
Jill Martin is a Presbyterian EarthKeeper team member, an environmental scientist with Wilcox Professional Services in Escanaba and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.Presbyterian EarthKeeper Jill Martin of Ford River Township in Delta County writes the... more
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Marquette, Michigan – During the first two weeks of May 2009, over 12,000 trees have been planted the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team across a 400 miles area of northern Michigan and in Minocqua, Wisconsin thanks to volunteers at over 100 churches and temples.
The trees were planted near homes, camps, churchyards, schools, parks and many other places by thousands of volunteers from ten faith traditions.
Children of all ages helped make the project a success and underscored why its important to protect the environment - it's their future at stake.
The EarthKeepers handed out over 12,000 red pine and white spruce seedlings at over 100 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
This video details some of the planting, distribution and preparation for the 209 EarthKeeper Tree Project that started on Earth Day 2009 with the planting of a three-foot white spruce at Presque Isle Park along Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan. Bishops and other EarthKeeper faith leaders blessed the tree as it was planted on a wooded hillside one day after a snowstorm.
In previous projects, the EarthKeeper Initiative has removed nearly 400 tons of hazardous waste from the environment - most of which was recycled - and involves the congregations of over 150 churches/temples from ten faith traditions in 50 communities, American Indian tribes, college students and other youth.
The EarthKeepers were founded in 1994 by Rev. Jon Magnuson, executive director of the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette and Carl Lindquist, executive director of the Superior Watershed Partnership.
In 2004, the bishops and other faith leaders signed the original EarthKeeper Covenant - pledging to actively protect the environment and reach out to Native Americans. The religious communities include Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddhist and the Quakers.
The group teams with Native American tribes including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). Another major partner is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that sent representatives to the collections
From 2005-2007, the group of adults and youth held an annual EarthKeeper Clean Sweep each Earth Day during which over 20,000 northern Michigan residents turned in household hazardous waste at 20 free collections sites across a 400-mile area involving all corners of the pristine Upper Peninsula.
With a message of encouragement from their faith leaders, enthusiastic congregations turned out during three-hour collections:
In 2005, over 45 tons of pesticides, herbicides, lead-based paint, batteries and many other hazardous substances from northern Michigan homes was turned in by residents during the first clean sweep. Partners included landfills and local governments.
In 2006, over 320 tons of electronic waste was collected including computers, keyboards, hard drives, other computer related components, televisions and cell phones. Nine semi-trucks transported the vast majority of the electronics to a recycler in the Lower Peninsula.
In 2007, over one ton of pharmaceuticals was turned in including more than $500,000 in dangerous narcotics. Pharmacists and law enforcement agencies were among the clean sweep partners and staffed each of the collection sites as required by federal law. The drugs were properly disposed in high-tech EPA-approved incinerators.
In 2006, the faith leaders and the head of the KBIC tribe gathered for a news conference with college students to announce the creation of the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student team. It was the first time these bishops and other faith leaders had been in the same room and many met for the first time.
http://www.upearthkeepers.org
http://www.superiorwatersheds.org
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.orgMarquette, Michigan – During the first two weeks of May 2009, over 12,000 trees... more
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Marquette, MI - Northern Michigan teens are continuing their mission to protect pollinators during 2009 by helping butterflies & restoring native plants to areas of the Upper Peninsula.
The best know, pollinators are bees - like honey bees & bumble bees.
Billions of these bees are dying across the world in a syndrome called Colony Collapse Disorder.
Bees are disappearing & it’s not clear why - although human impact on the environment are among the suspected causes like pesticides & global warming. A world without bees would mean world without food, as was dramatically pointed out in the Jerry Seinfield 2007 comedy Bee movie. Bees go on strike causing plants across the world die. That means no food, no flowers, no trees, the death of civilization. After bees, the next best pollinators are butterflies.
Marquette, MI area teens & Native American youth spent the summer of 2008 building butterfly houses that are longer & slimmer than birdhouses & are lined with bark.
Teens participating in the KBIC Summer Youth Program built & painted the houses at the tribe’s Natural Resource Department along Lake Superior.
KBIC Natural Resource Department Director Todd Warner said the Zaagkii Project is a good way for youth to become aware of their connection to natural resources & nature.
The butterfly houses offer protection to butterflies that can enter thru tiny slits.
Butterfly houses also offer rest to migrating monarchs & can be used for reproduction.
Marquette teens have planted or distributed 26,000 native plant including at the Hiawatha National Forest greenhouse in Marquette.
In the spring of 2009 some of the plants will be planted at several areas across northern MI including at Sand Point, a beach that the KBIC has been repairing from the effects of copper mining. About 100 years ago, the mine dumped copper processing waste into Lake Superior polluting miles of shoreline. KBIC capped the pollution & the native plants will be used to attract wildlife & restore the ecosystem. The Zaagkii Project was founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette that has sponsored numerous environment projects. The Zaagkii Project is sponsored by the CTI, Marquette County Juvenile Court, KBIC & the United States Forest Service.
Future videos include a look at a bee farm in Marquette County that fascinated Zaagkii Project teens.
Contributors include: Marquette Community Foundation, Negaunee Community Fund, Negaunee Community Youth Fund, M.E. Davenport Foundation, Kaufman Foundation, Phyllis & Max Reynolds Foundation, Upper Peninsula Childrens Museum, Borealis Seed Company.
KBIC Ceo Chris Swartz Jr.
906-353-6623
KBIC Natural Resource Department (NRD)
Todd Warner, Director
Evelyn Ravindran, Natural Resources Specialist
906-524-5757
Kim Klopstein, KBIC Summer Youth Program
906-201-0020
USDA USFS Milwaukee
Jan Schultz, Botany & Non-native Invasive Species
414-297-1189
Beekeeper Jim Hayward
906-475-7582
Cedar Tree Institute Ex. Dir. Rev. Jon Magnuson
906-228-5494
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org
Mqt Cnty Juvenile Court:
http://www.co.marquette.mi.us/probate.htm
Mqt/Neg community foundations
http://www.mqt-cf.org
U.P. Children's Museum
http://www.upcmkids.org
Bee Movie Jerry Seinfeld & DreamWorks Animation
http://www.beemovie.com:
http://monarchwatch.org
Monarch Author Lynn M. Rosenblatt
http://www.monarchbutterflyusa.com/Magic.htm
Austin, Texas Honeybee video: Johnnie Hargrave
Photos: Richard Burkmar; Paul Billiet & Shirley Burchill
Wikipedia photos: Tübingen-Hagelloch, Björn Appel, Warden, Debi Vort, Kristof Van der Poorten, John Severns, Waugsberg, Kenneth Dwain Harrelson, Derek Ramsey, John O'Neill
http://zaagkiiproject.wordpress.com
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/519835.html?nav=5001
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http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/28395844.htmlMarquette, MI - Northern Michigan teens are continuing their mission to protect... more
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(Marquette, Michigan) - The Zaagkii Wings and Seeds Project in Marquette is protecting pollinators like butterflies because billions of honeybees and bumblebees are dying worldwide in syndrome called “Colony Collapse Disorder.”
Marquette teens and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) youth spent this summer building the first of dozens of white cedar butterfly houses that will be created over the next three years. Lined with bark and slimmer than birdhouses, the shelters offer protection, rest and reproduction safety to Monarchs and other butterflies.
Butterflies are a close second to bees in transferring pollen from one plant to another.
Experts are unsure why bee colonies are collapsing but pesticides, climate change and other man-made reasons are among the suspects. Without pollinators the world food supply will dry up including fruits, vegetables, flowers, other plants and trees.
The Zaagkii Project was founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI) in Marquette.
“The problem with disappearing pollinators is a cause for concern (because) all life is interconnected,” said Todd Warner, KBIC Natural Resource Director.
Sponsors are KBIC, CTI, Marquette County Juvenile Court and the United States Forest Service (USFS).
“We are seeing a reduction in the number of bumblebees,” said Jan Schultz, Botany and Non-native Invasive Species Program Leader at the USFS eastern region office in Milwaukee.
The Zaagkii Project will plant native plants on the once-barren and polluted Sand Point, a Lake Superior beach that the KBIC is restoring from the effects of old copper mining waste. Marquette teens planted and distributed over 26,000 native plant seeds including at the Hiawatha National Forest greenhouse in Marquette.
The KBIC will use many of the plants at Sand Point Beach that was polluted about 90 years ago with stamp sands from the Mass Mill.
The first tribal Brownfield cleanup site in the Midwest, future plans include a nature tail, restoring a historic lighthouse, swimming, camping, boating, picnic areas and fishing ponds.
The goal is “the propagation of the native species rather than having the exotics come in and destroying what we have established,” said Evelyn Ravindra, KBIC NRD Natural Resources Specialist.
KBIC Summer Youth Program members Ethan Smith,17, and Janelle Paquin,15, and other NativeAmerican teens measured, hammered and painted the butterfly houses.
"We put the bark on the inside for the butterflies to rest on," Smith said.
Marquette teens were given a tour of a bee farm with about 60,000 honeybees.
If all bees disappeared the world food supply would be devastated as “fruits, vegetables, nuts and other commercial crops” vanish, said Beekeeper Jim Hayward of Negaunee Township. “We are all dependent on bees.”
The Marquette teens “went to libraries and studied about the Monarch butterflies and their life cycle and their migration patterns,” said Danny Weymouth, 16.
Restoring indigenous plants is vital to wildlife “so our native species don't get overruled and extinct by predator species,” said Justin Fassbender, 16.
Ensuring the future of native plants is important because “there are a lot of invasive species,” said Devin Dahlstrom, 15.
The public can help protect pollinators by being careful with insecticides, Schultz said.
“Apply the pesticide really early in the morning or at dusk when the pollinators aren’t active,” Schultz said.
The Zaagkii Project contributors include the Marquette Community Foundation, the Negaunee Community Fund, the Negaunee Community Youth Fund, the M.E. Davenport Foundation, the Kaufman Foundation, the Phyllis and Max Reynolds Foundation, theUpper Peninsula Children's Museum in Marquette and the Borealis Seed Company in Big Bay.(Marquette, Michigan) - The Zaagkii Wings and Seeds Project in Marquette is protecting... more
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Marquette, Michigan - The Upper Peninsula Earth Keepers announced several projects for the next year on Thursday night (Nov. 13, 2008) as they received the Michigan Sierra Club prestigious White Pine Award for past projects that included recycling hundreds of tons of hazardous waste, energy conservation programs and the protection of Lake Superior.
Numerous Earth Keeper Initiative (EKI) faith leaders, volunteers and student members accepted the award on Nov. 13 at a meeting of the Sierra Club U.P. Group.
The White Pine Award recognizes "a group outside of the Sierra Club which has been doing things to help protect the environment," said Dr. Jon Rebers, chair of the Sierra Club Central U.P. Group.
The U.P. Earth Keepers, involving the congregations of over 150 U.P. churches and temples, held three annual Earth Day collections at dozens of sites across northern Michigan that removed almost 370 tons of household hazardous waste from the environment.
Earth Keepers collected one ton of pharmaceuticals & $500,000 in narcotics in 2007; 320 tons of computers, televisions & electronics in 2006; and 45 tons of household hazardous waste like pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and car batteries. Most of the waste turned in by the public.
Earth Keepers held a 2007 energy summit that helped hundreds of Michigan homes and businesses become energy efficient & helped organize classical musicians to form the Boreal Chamber Symphony for a Lake Superior Day 2007 concert in Marquette that raised funds to protect the world's largest body of freshwater.
"We are moving into our fifth year," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, Cedar Tree Institute (CTI) ex. Dir.
Sponsors: CTI, Superior Water Shed Partnership (SWP), Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Bahá'í, Jewish, Quakers & Zen Buddhist.
Partners include the EPA, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Earth Keepers are "trying to honor the creation by preserving it," said Dr. Rodney Clarken, a Bahá'í. "One of the Bahá'í principles is that each human being is entrusted and is in some way the image of God. We can't be pure and holy unless...the environment is pure and holy."
The leader of a Marquette Zen Buddhist temple said "your environment is in trouble right now."
"Zen Buddhists tend to believe in the oneness of all - you are part of your environment - that is absolutely inescapable," said Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo.
Member Nancy Irish said her favorite EKI project is the "Adopt a Watershed" program.
"We've had a number of campouts for kids," said Irish of the Marquette Unitarian Universalist church. "There is nothing more wonderful than facilitating the meeting of the natural world with children .. children protect what they love & they love what they know.""
"One of the Quaker basic testimonies is the simplicity of living and of course this ties well into that (the Earth Keeper Covenant)," said David McCowen of Lake Superior Friends (Quakers).
The SWP and the CTI "facilitate what happens with the Earth Keepers," said watershed partnership representative Natasha Koss.
The Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team goals include an "Eco-Christmas Initiative," said Sarah Swanson, project director. "We are going to encourage people to be more eco-conscious when they are purchasing gifts for family and friends over the holidays."
Students will recycle televisions in February, now that they are switching to high definition television, she said. And "planting a bunch of trees on Earth Day" plus "organize some community gardens."
People have "an inescapable relationship with their environment," said Ben Scheelk, NMU EK student team project coor. from the Student Leader Fellowship Program.
Rev. Jon Magnuson
906-228-5494
Greg
906-401-0109
earthkeeper@charter.netMarquette, Michigan - The Upper Peninsula Earth Keepers announced several projects for... more
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Some of Michigan's elected officials - like Governor Jennifer Granholm - are selling out the beautiful streams and lush forests of the Upper Peninsula in exchange for some quick cash.
Many people who once loved our governor - now think Granholm doesn't deserve to be a democrat - because she's acting like a Republican.
Granholm and others - like famous actor/director Jeff Daniels - proclaim their love for the Upper Peninsula but are remaining strangely silent in the fight to stop Kennecott Minerals and other mining companies from building sulfide mines nicknamed "acid" mines.
Granholm, Daniels and others with power should be leading the fight to stop the Eagle Project.
In fact - the governor's top Upper Peninsula aide - her point man on the mine issue - recently quit his job to take a lucrative position with Kennecott''s parent company. That speaks volumes as the gov remains tight-lipped.
The National Wildlife Federation has produced a documentary about the gallant fight to protect the Upper Peninsula.
The public is invited to a free showing of the film om Dec. 5, 2008 in Marquette at Northern Michigan University.Some of Michigan's elected officials - like Governor Jennifer Granholm - are... more
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The Native Village website does stories on Native Village youth and education. Each month this unique website puts out an issue of news about Native youth.
http://www.nativevillage.org
In the November 2008 issue, Native Village takes an extensive look at the Zaagkii Wings & Seeds Project in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The Zaagkii Project thanks and honors Native Village and its Editor Gina Boltz for the excellent story and all the work and effort that went into creating the impressive layout.
To contact Native Village staff or for more info, please email:
NativeVillage500@aol.com
Native Village is a supporter of the Link Center Foundation:
http://www.linkcenterfoundation.org
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This summer, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) youth and Marquette, MI teens built the first of dozens of butterfly houses and planted 26,000 native plants that help pollinators thrive.
The three-year project is important because bees are disappearing around the world at a shocking rate.
It's called Colony Collapse Disorder and the cause is unknown although human impact is suspected.
If all the world's bees disappear - all plant and human life will vanish in about 4 years.
The second biggest pollinator are butterflies - and that's why the Zaagkii Project is protecting butterflies and teaching youth about bees.
The Zaagkii Project contributors include the Marquette Community Foundation, the Negaunee Community Fund, the Negaunee Community Youth Fund, the M.E. Davenport Foundation, the Kaufman Foundation, the Phyllis and Max Reynolds Foundation, with assistance from the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum in Marquette and the Borealis Seed Company in Big Bay.
The Zaagkii Project was founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI) in Marquette whose other environment projects have included wild rice restoration (Manoomin Project) and Earth Day hazardous waste collections (Earth Keeper Clean Sweep).
The Zaagkii Project is sponsored by the KBIC, CTI, Marquette County Juvenile Court and the United States Forest Service (USFS).
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Keweenaw Bay Indian Community:
http://www.kbic-nsn.gov
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Rev. Jon Magnuson, Zaagkii Wings and Seeds founder & Executive Director of non-profit Cedar Tree Institute
906-228-5494
http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org
CTI volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson:
906-401-0109
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Jan Schultz, Botany & Non-native Invasive Species Program Leader
USFS Milwaukee, WI
(414) 297-1189
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Terry Miller, forest botanist
Hiawatha National Forest
Escanaba, MI.
906-789-3319
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Deb LeBlanc, WestSide Plant Ecologist
Hiawatha National Forest
Munising, MI
906-387-2512 ext. 19
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Marquette County Juvenile Court:
http://www.co.marquette.mi.us/probate.htm
http://www.co.marquette.mi.us/courts.htm
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Upper Peninsula Children's Museum
http://www.upcmkids.org/
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Monarch Watch::
http://monarchwatch.org
Monarch Author Lynn M. Rosenblatt
http://www.monarchbutterflyusa.com/Magic.htmThe Native Village website does stories on Native Village youth and education. Each... more
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The Zaagkii Wings and Seeds Project is helping to save butterflies in northern Michigan thanks to Native American Teens and Marquette youth.
Founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute, the three-year project involves teens building butterfly houses that offer protection and rest and planting over 26,000 native plants that are vital to reproduction of numerous pollinators.
The U.S. Forest Service says the project is a pollinator "success story."
The Zaagkii Wings and Seeds Project is the latest youth environment project founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, Michigan in cooperation with the Marquette County Juvenile Court, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and the United States Forest Service (USFS).
The Zaagkii Project contributors and sponsors include the Marquette Community Foundation, the Negaunee Community Fund, the Negaunee Community Youth Fund, the M.E. Davenport Foundation, the Kaufman Foundation, the Phyllis and Max Reynolds Foundation, the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum in Marquette, Mich. and the Borealis Seed Company in Big Bay, Mich.The Zaagkii Wings and Seeds Project is helping to save butterflies in northern... more
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