BIG BAY – Weeks into the stand she began at Eagle Rock, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community member Charlotte Loonsfoot said Saturday the time spent has been well worth the effort.
“It’s been up and down, but good,” Loonsfoot said, sitting in the encampment at the base of Eagle Rock.
The rock outcropping is called migi zii wa sin, a site sacred to the Native Americans where the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company plans to drill the portal for its nickel and copper mine on the Yellow Dog Plains.
Since the protest of the mining company’s efforts began April 24, other members of the KBIC, including the tribal council and elders, have visited the site.
Tents are more numerous at the encampment now, scattered throughout the jack pines and at least one was set up on top of Eagle Rock. There are more permanent structures erected. The sacred fire burning at the site smokes from the spot where the mine’s portal is planned.
Some Indians from other tribes have also come to camp at the site, along with some non-native members of the public.
“We’re waiting, enjoying our time here,” Loonsfoot said.
The tribe objects to the mining project because of environmental concerns, especially involving water pollution and the plans to drill into Eagle Rock, which they view as a sacred living thing.
On Thursday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials from Chicago visited Eagle Rock at the request of the tribe. Kennecott officials knew of the visit, but were not part of the inquiry. EPA officials toured the outcropping and its surroundings, along with KBIC tribal council members.
“It’s good,” Loonsfoot said. “Hopefully, they’ll look at it and work together in a good way.”
Kennecott representatives were at Eagle Rock Saturday, part of an audience listening to discussion on tribal rights, public lands and sacred sites.
“We came up to interact with those concerned about the mine, especially cultural resources concerns as it pertains to Eagle Rock,” said Kennecott spokesman Matt Johnson. “The views and opinions are varied and it’s important to Kennecott to understand the concerns of all our stakeholders.”
Chuck Glossenger of Big Bay was one of the speakers following Loonsfoot, who discussed public lands while the group waited for a tribal rights speaker later in the day.
“There shouldn’t be drilling right here,” Glossenger said. “You’re acting like this is a surgical procedure that you can do here without any ramifications. But mining isn’t like that.”
The bottom line question at Eagle Rock, and at other places across the country, Glossenger said, is who should be able to decide where a mine goes on public land, mining companies or the public?
“It’s embarrassing what Kennecott is going to take compared to what they’re going to leave here,” Glossenger said. “Nobody is going to retire from this mine.”
A group of all-terrain vehicle riders were expected to make a run to the Eagle Rock site Saturday, to express their supprt for the Kennecott project. Like the Native Americans and their supporters, mining company officials have said they do not want confrontations at Eagle Rock.
Chantae Lessard, Kennecott senior advisor forcommunities, said “We appreciate the support, but we want people to be respectful.”
A handful of ATV riders did show up and stop along Marquette County Road AAA to look at Eagle Rock and the surrounding site. Soon afterward, a larger group arrived, but left in just a few minutes.
The original group’s members, who did not want to give their names, said they supported Kennecott’s project.
“I’m for mining as long as it’s done safely,” one of the riders said. “It’s good for economics.”
All of the riders agreed the area desperately needs more jobs.
“You’re not going to please everybody, no matter what you do,” the rider said.
Another one of the riders said there’s a lot of people supporting the project who don’t have the time to come out to Eagle Rock.
He said, “The pro-mining crowd is out working around the clock.”
John Pepin can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. His e-mail address is jpepin@miningjournal. net