On May 5th, 2016, The United Tribes of Michigan (UTM), which consists of 12 federally recognized tribes in the state, passed a resolution pledging unified tribal opposition to the Aquila Resources Back-Forty mining proposal. If approved by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) the mining permit would allow an open-pit sulfide mine on the banks the Upper Michigan’s largest watershed, The Menominee River. The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, whose ancestral home is the mouth of the river also contends the mine would destroy significant cultural resources in the Sixty Islands region of the river. Archaeologists have documented and published works on the presence of ancient garden mounds and burial mounds.

The UTM are in steadfast opposition to this mining project and will continue to support the efforts of the Menominee.

Download Full UTM and Menominee Tribe Resolutions:http://bit.ly/UTMMenoResolution