"Tribal leaders in Wisconsin made it clear Tuesday they retain concerns about a potential mining operation. The leaders of 11 Indian Nations included the remarks in their annual State of the Tribes address to the Legislature. Senate Republicans still hope to approve new mining rules to satisfy an interested company. President of the Ho Chunk Nation Jon Greendeer says the tribes will be monitoring any plans that might impact the Bad River members living in the region.

“Chairman Mike Wiggins of the Bad River, not bad water, Bad River Tribe, oh come on, these guys read the paper. Anyway, he said it best, that any threats to our ground water, surface water, air quality or way of life is a tribe’s call to action,” Greendeer says.

Greendeer says tribes do not oppose job creation, but as good stewards of the Earth, their priority is ensuring it remains unharmed. He also pushed for more tribal inclusion when it comes to drafting legislation that affects the state."

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Tribal Leaders Urge Protection of Environment and Inclusion in State Planning (WUWM 3/13)