ANCHOR Marie Rock: This is Minnesota Native News, I’m Marie Rock.
This week, an update on the 20-year battle over Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mine.
Plus, a local Indigenous-led coalition pushes for climate justice at the state legislature. First, let's hear from reporter Vincent Moniz.
Vincent Moniz: In November 2024, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources delayed a decision on a key permit for the NewRange Copper Nickel project until August 2025. This gives the joint venture between PolyMet Mining and Teck Resources time to make changes. For 2 decades the mine has faced opposition from environmental groups and Indigenous Nations over concerns of air and water quality harm.
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Vincent Moniz: This follows a 2023 decision where the Minnesota Supreme Court reinstated an appeal against PolyMet’s Air Emissions Permit, which allows for the release of sulfur dioxide and fine particulates from the NorthMet mine, sparking worry over community and ecosystem impact. Diné and Dakota citizen and Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, Tom Goldtooth, explains the stakes:
TOM GOLDTOOTH: The digging into Mother Earth, the processing is going to contaminate the air. And in nearby communities, and we're always concerned of the bio cumulative impact of the air pollution that goes into our bodies and our children, bodies and nature itself.
Vincent Moniz: Goldtooth emphasizes the importance of preserving sacred lands and protecting the environment, reflecting broader issues about the impact of mining on cultural traditions and community health.
TOM GOLDTOOTH: We have to stand really strong on the importance of protecting the sacredness of Mother Earth, the sacredness of Father Sky. When we talk about the air, we're talking about the father's sky and importance of our traditional knowledge and our language.
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Vincent Moniz: With the December 2024 ruling pushing the NewRange project forward, and ongoing legal challenges over the air emissions permit, the future of Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mine remains uncertain. Comments on the project application will be accepted until March 3rd, 2025. NewRange Copper Nickel did not respond to requests for comment.
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Vincent Moniz: For Minnesota Native News, I am Vincent Moniz.
ANCHOR Marie Rock: Next, we’ll hear about the Rise & Repair Alliance's Rally Day at the Capitol. Here’s Deanna StandingCloud with more.
Sounds of Stop Line 3 protests (June 2021), Credit: Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe
Deanna StandingCloud: After movements like the “NO DAPL” protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota and “Stop Line 3” actions against Enbridge’s oil pipeline expansion in Northern Minnesota, the public profile of climate justice was elevated worldwide. A grassroots collective of Indigenous environmental activists joined forces with non-native allies supporting climate justice work. In Minnesota, the Rise and Repair alliance is one of those.
Sounds of Stop Line 3 protests (June 2021), Credit: Ogimaa Giniw Ikwe
Eoin Small: There are all sorts of ways that the Minnesota level, you know, agencies and lawmakers pass policy that impacts Indian Country. big focus of this alliance is kind of at that intersection
Deanna StandingCloud: Eoin Small is a Community Organizer with Rise & Repair.
Eoin Small: Although the tribes are federally recognized, or that they have the federal kind of nation-to-nation dialog with the United States government, I think the importance of state level organizing is going to be critical here, for this reinforcement of these ideas to either protect the environment, to protect climate, to protect Indigenous sovereignty, etc.
Deanna StandingCloud: Since the Spring of 2023, the Rise and Repair alliance has organized to keep environmental issues and tribal sovereignty in the consciousness of lawmakers in Minnesota.
There are a number of bills the Rise and Repair Alliance will be opposing this legislative season including House File 9. This bill proposes to lift the moratorium on nuclear power in Minnesota, which Tribal Leaders in Prairie Island Dakota are actively preparing to oppose, expressing the risks the nuclear power plant poses in the future.
Eoin Small: I think what we’re trying to do as an alliance is also track the priorities of the Native People’s Caucus of the Minnesota, Chippewa Tribes of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, to be able to support around other issues that come forward.
Deanna StandingCloud: At this time, House File 9 has only been heard in the House with no vote to move to the Senate as of yet. The Rise and Repair Rally Day is Wednesday, March 12th starting at 10am at the Minnesota State Capital.
ANCHOR Marie Rock: outro credits