Ojibwe reject mine land grab

Thousands of poor and working people converged on the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison for a week beginning Jan. 22. They raised two issues: opposition to Gov. Scott Walker’s activities on behalf of Wall Street, and solidarity with Native nations against a proposed mine on their land. The Carlyle Group iron ore mine, intended for the Penokee Hills in the northernmost part of Wisconsin, would destroy sacred Native land, including rice crops.

All week, people’s hearings took place along with protests, speak-outs, cultural events and more. On Jan. 25, members of the Ojibwe Nation sponsored a protest on the steps of the Capitol to oppose the iron ore mine. This protest, the largest of the week, merged with a major one inside the Capitol, where protesters drowned out Walker’s State of the State speech, calling it a speech for the bankers and bosses. For more information on how to help stop the mine, see savethewatersedge.com and indiancountrytv.com.

— Report and photo by Bryan G. Pfeifer