At the Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Brainerd Lakes Area Democratic Socialists of America (BLA DSA) meeting, BLA DSA members finalized the proposal for a vigil opposing the proposed copper-nickel mine near Tamarack (a small town east of Aitkin) BLA DSA co-chair Julius Kapushinski made at the April BLA DSA meeting.
The Water Over Nickel vigil will be held on Saturday, June 8. The vigil will be held at the intersection of Highways 210 and 371, Baxter, near Kohl's. The vigil is scheduled to last from 1 to 2 p.m. Signs, banners, and flags are available for vigil participants or vigil participants may bring signs to the vigil.
BLA DSA invited Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace and Brainerd Lakes United Environmentalists (BACP-BLUE) to co-host the vigil. BACP-BLUE members enthusiastically decided at our Monday, May 6 meeting to co-host the Water Over Nickel vigil. BACP-BLUE has long opposed copper-nickel mining, due to its devastating environmental impacts. As Kathyrn Hoffman, the CEO of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, stated during the Rosemeier Forum on copper-nickel mining at Central Lakes College on Monday, April 29, there is not a single environmentally sound copper-nickel mine in the world. A copper-nickel mine near Tamarack would contaminate the area's rivers, streams, wetlands, and wild rice beds.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe strongly opposes the proposed Tamarack copper-nickel mine. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has a Water Over Nickel website, waterovernickel.com, explaining the environmentally damaging effects of copper-nickel mining and the adverse impact on tribal communities. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe considers the proposed mine a violation of the Band's sovereignty and treaty rights.
BLA DSA invited the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's Water Over Nickel organization to co-host the vigil. Julius said Water Over Nickel is interested in working with BLA DSA and BACP-BLUE on opposing the proposed Tamarack copper-nickel mine. Hopefully, Water Over Nickel will join BLA DSA and BACP-BLUE in hosting the vigil.
We have been holding our meetings on-line via Zoom during the winter. Beginning with the May meeting, we will be meeting either at the UCC Church, 415 Juniper, Brainerd (SW corner of Gregory Park) or at Gregory Park, depending on the weather. An agenda will be provided via email prior to the meeting and that email will also contain another link to join by Zoom during the winter months. Meetings held by Zoom will be limited to 40 minutes. For more information go to the Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Brainerd Lakes United Environmentalists is an inclusive group of people working to support the health of the environment through communication, advocacy and cooperation with broader networks to promote scientifically-sound solutions on issues of climate change and water quality in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together" Vincent Van Gogh
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