White Earth files Rights of Nature lawsuit against Minnesota DNR

Press Release

August 4, 2021

Contact:

Frank Bibeau
Plaintiff’s Attorney frankbibeau@gmail.com 218-760-1258

Thomas Linzey, Senior Counsel
Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights tal@pa.net
509-474-9761

White Earth, MN: On August 4, an action was filed in the Tribal Court of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota, by Manoomin (wild rice), the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and several tribal members, to stop the State of Minnesota from allowing the Enbridge corporation to use five billion gallons of water for the construction of the oil pipeline known as “Line 3.”

This is the first case brought in a tribal court to enforce the rights of nature, and the first rights of nature case brought to enforce Treaty guarantees.

READ MORE HERE

White Earth tribal member Frank Bibeau and his father ricing. Photo: Frank Bibeau

Enbridge whistleblower John Bolenbaugh brings his message to Lake Superior

bay

John Bolenbaugh is coming to the Chequamegon Bay area for a two-day intensive to share his experiences as a former clean-up worker for S.E.T Environmental and to tell the story of how he became a whistleblower for the largest tar sands oil spill in North American history.

The former sub-contractor for Enbridge will discuss the catastrophic Kalamazoo River tar sands pipeline spill in 2010 in Michigan, and his successful efforts to expose the company’s attempts to cover-up their incomplete and shoddy clean up work.

Kalamazoo oil spill. Photo: EPA

Bolenbaugh’s truth telling forced Enbridge to re-clean several dozen areas that had been approved as 100% clean by Enbridge, the EPA and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. His exposure forced the EPA to demand that Enbridge re-clean the covered up areas and re-dredge the river at an estimated cost of $600,000,000.

John comes to the Lake Superior region to take part in a series of Community Conversations with local citizens to educate and inspire participation in a grass roots effort to take action to protect our water from experiencing a disaster resulting from a pipeline spill.

Monday, January 9, 2017

Bad River Lodge & Casino, Event Center, 73370 U.S. Highway 2 Odanah
12 PM – 3 PM: Bad River luncheon welcoming John followed by presentation
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Pot Luck & Bad River families Community Conversations continue
6:30 PM: Video presentation

John Bolenbaugh. Photo: helppa.org

Black Cat Coffeehouse, 211 Chapple Ave, Ashland
4 PM – 5 PM:  Ashland Community Conversation

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Blue Wave Inn, 2521 Lake Shore Dr W, Ashland
11 AM – 12:30 PM: Brunch with John on beautiful Chequamegon Bay

Big Water Coffee Roasters, 117 Rittenhouse Ave, Bayfield
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Bayfield Community Conversations

Good Thyme Catering, Events & Lodging, 77180 State Highway 13, Washburn
3:00– 5:30 PM: AshWaBay Community Conversations, dinner & movie presentation

Ashland City Council Meeting, City Hall, 601 Main Street West, Ashland, Council Chambers
6:15 PM: John addresses Ashland City Council

Legendary Waters Lodge, 37600 Red Cliff Campground Rd, Bayfield, Main Floor Premiere Suite
7 PM – 9 PM: Red Cliff welcomes John followed by presentation, movie & refreshments

Click HERE to RSVP to events

These events are being sponsors by:
Bad River Tribal Council
Bad River Natural Resources
AERC
Legendary Waters Lodge
Good Thyme Catering, Events and Lodging
Flame and Stone Studio
Blue Wave on the Bay
Bayfield IGA
Families & friends of Bad River Anishnabe
Anishnabe Ogichidaa
Anishnabe Ogichidaakwe
Black Cat Coffeehouse
Individuals and businesses of the Greater Chequamegon Bay