INAUGURAL WATER OVER NICKEL CELEBRATION

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe recently celebrated its first-ever Water Over Nickel Day at Big Sandy Lodge and Resort on Saturday, September 7, marking a milestone in our community's commitment to environmental protection and cultural preservation.

This free, family-friendly event brought together band members to celebrate our culture, advocate for water protection, and enjoy the waning days of summer.

Attendees enjoyed entertainment, activities, and amenities, including delicious food trucks, live music, outdoor activities, and a dunk tank. Attendees received Water Over Nickel Day merchandise like t-shirts and tote bags, and entered fun giveaways for items like tumblers, coolers, and cornhole boards. While the day was filled with fun and excitement, it also carried a deeper significance. Water Over Nickel Day served as a powerful demonstration of our community's solidarity and commitment to protecting our natural resources. By coming together, we sent a clear message about the importance of preserving our water, land, and people from the potential impacts of nickel mining.

Water Over Nickel is an initiative led by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in partnership with allied organizations to protect Minnesota’s people, natural resources, and cultural sites from the negative impact of nickel mining. Our efforts are grounded in our commitment to preserve Minnesota’s natural environment and water resources for generations to come.

This inaugural event's success would not have been possible without the support of our community members and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in this important day. Special appreciation to Chief Executive Wind and our elected officials, whose presence underscored the importance of this cause to our community. The support of our community and elected officials strengthens our collective voice and helps us prioritize water over nickel. We look forward to future opportunities to celebrate our work with Water Over Nickel together as we continue to protect our community's water, land, fish, people, and Manoomin.

To learn more about the Water Over Nickel initiative and how you can get involved, please visit WaterOverNickel.com and follow our social media channels. Together, we can protect our water, land, and people from the impacts of nickel mining.