|
MAY 17, 1997
EXXON DESTABILIZES CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY
Witnesses/Observers Bail Funds Needed Letters and Calls Wanted
On May 1, 1997 members of the Mole Lake Chippewa
Reservation in northwestern Wisconsin began an occupation
of their tribal administration offices charging wrongdoing
and influence peddling by Wisconsin Governor Tommy
Thompson and the Exxon Minerals Corporation who have a
partnership with Canadian mining giant Rio Algom.
Exxon/Rio Algom are midway through a permit to develop one
of the largest metallic sulfide mines (2,000) feet deep
shaft) next to the Mole Lake Chippewa Reservation,
endangering their sacred wild rice beds, surrounding
waters, and the entire Wolf River system.
The grassroots tribal members are convinced that Exxon has
already infiltrated their tribal administration and by
occupying the tribal offices have declared NO MORE
BUSINESS AS USUAL. They've called for a number of
agencies to investigate these charges and to root out any
undo and illegal influence affecting their survival. This
action, while it has created some new interest in their
concerns, remains extremely tense. The tribal government,
ignoring their constitutional duty to hear the widespread
complaints, have instead issued eviction notices and have
filed charges of criminal trespass. Though no arrests
have yet been made those inside have been summarily fired
from their jobs and threats to take away personal property
and land assignments have been issued.
They ask that pressure be put on the Department of
Interior, the Department of Justice and other agencies for
a thorough investigation. Because of allegations of
misuse of casino funds the National Indian Gaming Board is
also investigation Mole Lake. Additional concerns of US
EPA collusion is also surfacing.
Please contact the following:
- Tom LeClaire, DOJ Office of Tribal Justice - 633 Indiana Ave.
NW, Washington DC 20531 PH: 202/616-3205 FAX: 202/514-7805
- Doris Popple, NIGA (Gaming Bd) : 202/632-7003
- Wisconsin Department of Justice, Gary Hamblin: 608/266-1671
- US EPA Office of Environmental Justice: 800/962-6215
- Dept. of Interior, BIA, Ashland WI 54806 - 715/682-4527
- Mole Lake Tribal Government, Rt. 1, Box 625, Crandon WI 54520
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- Midwest Treaty Network: Walt Bresette, PH/Fax: 715/779-5071
- Indigenous Environmental Network WEB SITE:
http://www.ienearth.org (also see LINKS at IEN site for
Midwest Treaty Network and Menominee Nation); E-mail:
ien@igc.org - phone 218/751-4967 FAX:218/751-0561.
- Mole Lake Concerned Tribal Members: 715/367-2902
|
