Ojibwe Akiing, May 1997

Mole Lake Standoff continues

Opposed to mining, members want environmental protections, accountability of state and tribal governments

by Trace A. DeMeyer
Mole Lake ,Wisconsin

Concerned tribal members who took over Mole Lake tribal headquarters, claim a conspiracy is taking place between Exxon and Arlyn Ackley, Sr., Mole Lake tribal chairman.

"We need help from our allies. It's no joke, it's one big conspiracy by Exxon, Rio Algom and BHP international mining corporations," said Robert Van Zile, one of the occupying members and the Pipe keeper of the Mole Lake band of Sokaogan Chippewa.

Approximately 40 tribal members occupying tribal headquarters sent their message in a statement released to the press. It asks for the removal of chairman Ackley; an audit of tribal and casino funds; removal of tribal staff; recognition of the civil rights of tribal members; clarification on repeated parole violations of Ackley; and an investigation into the role and collusion between Exxon, Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, his attorneys, and the law firm representing the Mole Lake tribal council.

According to Bill Koenen, "Exxon, Rio Algom, BHP and the politics of Wisconsin state government have infiltrated our tribal government and are pushing Mole Lake leadership to accept the Crandon mining proposal. The community members are saying enough is enough. lt's not a simple internal tribal affairs matter. We wouldn't have contacted outside support groups if it was just an internal matter."

Koenen, Van Zile and community members are worried about historical and recent events that demonstrate their concern for shady deals going on with chairman Ackley, tribal environmental engineer John Griffin, and perhaps others.

News articles from 1986 exposed Ackley's plans for Mole Lake to develop it's own copper and silver mine.

The tribal members say despite Ackley's recent claims he's opposed to mining ore and mineral deposits found on tribal Iands by the BIA back in I982 are worth more 'than $1 billion.

Ackley, 44, was sentenced to prison in 1989 after being convicted of four counts of delivery of cocaine. Before resigning in 1989, he served two terms as tribal chairman. Paroled in l991, he then spent two months in rehab. He regained the post as a write-in vote candidate in 1993. In January 1997, he was re-elected.

"We want to impeach Ackley," said Al McGeshick, the dissidents' leader. "We're bankrupt now. We don't have any money. He's misused the funds."

The Forest County Sheriff's department and the state justice department are monitoring the standoff situation.

The Crandon mine is a hard rock sulfide mine proposed next to the Mole Lake Chippewa reserve, near the Wolf River. "The Crandon Mine mineral deposits extend to underneath our sacred Rice Lake, our spiritual center and heart of the Anishinabe people, and the source of life-giving Manomin, our wild rice," Van Zile said.

The dissident group is also concerned about recent events whereby Mole Lake's tribal environmental engineer allowed federal and state agencies to collect sensitive environmental data. "This action was against the tribal council's decision," Koenen said. "Up until now, Exxon had been denied access. Now Exxon is having the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Army Corp. of Engineers, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources collect the data for them.'"

Collusion between the law firm retained by the Mole Lake tribal council and the firm's relationship as personal council to Wisconsin governor Governor Tommy Thompson is a concern. "Our environmental standards are more stringent and if approved, our standards would greatly impact the Crandon mine proposal. Exxon does not want these standards approved and we're sure they're been lobbying the governor on this issue. Then mining industry is a powerful political force," Koenen said.

Concerned tribal members tried to obtain US federal intervention to no avail. On May 2, Mole Lake tribal council refused to participate in mediation with the Chicago regional US Office of Justice. Other Ojibwe tribes traveled to Mole Lake to share prayers and support with tribal members barricaded in the building.

"We want accountability from our tribal government and from state and federal officials who have violated their trust responsibilities. This action is an attempt to address and resolve broad issues 'that impact the Sokaogan tribe," their statement read.

In a radio interview on May 10 with Paul DeMain, Ackley said, "They've misconstrued that I've sold out. I've been opposed to mining for over 20 years. I don't know where these rumors are coming from." Ackley added that his firing of an environmental employee ignited rumors. "The dissidents are made up of two factions: disgruntled employees and family members of those who were defeated in the January elections."

Ackley claims the group is trying to use his criminal record against him. "I'm just trying to maintain the peace." The tribal council met on May 9 to discuss the standoff situation.