June 25, 2010
Charlotte reluctantly packed up her campsite Thursday night and returned to her home in Baraga for the long weekend. She and her family camped in the rain, sun and bugs this past week on state land adjacent to the Kennecott fence line. Machinery and lights could be seen and heard on a regular basis and vehicles traveled the camp’s access road all hours of the day.
After her arrest for trespassing on May 27, Charlotte planned on re-setting camp on the Yellow Dog Plains to be near Eagle Rock- a sacred site to the Anishinaabe people. Her goal was to bring closure to her month long experience that began on April 23, when she first spent the night in her car at the base of Eagle Rock. “I feel better now. This has been more of a spiritual time for me. No stress. Quiet. I don’t want to leave, but there are things I need to do,” said Loonsfoot.
Please pray for Charlotte and her family, Chris Chosa, Cynthia and others who have spent countless hours on the plains tending the garden, moving firewood, visiting and supplying the camp, and monitoring Kennecott’s activities. We will “Stand for the Land” as long as we are able!
Equipment and supplies for the camp remain in storage until further notice. Please contact the SWUP office, 228-4444 or Big Bay Outfitters, 345-9399 if you need to access personal belongings.
6-19-10
From Charlotte Loonsfoot and her family, daughter Shauna, sons Virgil, Robert and Christian and friend Jerry Buch. The campsite is just outside the Kennecott fence on the northeast corner and the sacred fire was lit Sunday night.
DIRECTIONS: From Marquette, just past the green 12-mile marker there is an intersection with a large yellow trucking sign planted at the entrance.Turn right on this road and drive back about 1/3 mile and watch for sign/ribbons at an intersection and take that road left. Then watch for camp sign.
From Baraga, take a left on the first road past the main mine entry, then same as above.
The camp is on state land just outside of K’not fence, not leased. Camping permits have been obtained.
Please copy and distribute the following invitation:
Boozhoo,
I am going out to set up a new camp by Eagle Rock, (not on Kennecott’s property) tomorrow.(Sunday) I received a sign the other day telling me to get this camp set up right away. We will post where the new camp will be at with a map as soon as we can. I want to go out there and get it set up first before hand and if its a surprise to them the better. I learned a lot from the first camp and it was a lesson learned but we have to move forward and do it better the next time…thats how we learn in a good way.
Guidelines for “Protecting The Water” camp….
1. NO Drinking, Drugs, or Violence.
2. Treat people and live by the seven teachings…Love, Respect, Honor, Humility, Courage, Wisdom, and Trust.
3. NO Arguing, Bickering, or Negativity.
4. Don’t get to Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
5. Recycle, Reuse, Reduce.
6. Focus on our Purpose.
7. These guidlines are for keeping the peace between everyone that is involved, if you dont feel you can follow these guidelines please do not enter the sacred grounds as we are trying to have a peaceful camp.
I am formally inviting everyone to come out to the new camp, all colors and races that feel strongly about our cause “Protecting The Water”.
Miiqwich, Charlotte