WATER OVER NICKEL
By Kelly Applegate, Commissioner of Natural Resources
Water Over Nickel is dedicated to protecting our clean water, land, and resources from the negative impact of nickel mining. Our team is working hard to educate Minnesotans about the risks associated with the proposed Tamarack Mine.
We have a variety of opportunities for Band members to get involved. Here are a few ideas for how you can join our efforts. Help us plan the first ever Water Over Nickel Day event, scheduled for late-summer 2024.
We are a year into our efforts to protect our land and water from the potential Tamarack Nickel Mine. In the coming months, we need to rally Band members, partners, and all Minnesotans to take action and tell the Minnesota DNR we do not have proof the proposed mine will be safe for our environment.
Before that begins, we want to take a day to come together and celebrate — not only what we are protecting, but the progress we have made so far.
We are asking for Band member input on designing the first ever Water Over Nickel Day; a fun, family-friendly event designed by the Band for the Band. The event will be held in August or September 2024.
The event is an opportunity for Band members and Water Over Nickel partners to celebrate our land and water.
We’re looking for Band member volunteers to join our event committee to support planning efforts. Volunteers will:
• Join two virtual meetings
• Share ideas for the event location, entertainment, food, and more.
• Help spread the word about the importance of protecting our people, resources, and culture from the risks as sociated with nickel mining. Please reach out to AlyssaWelch in the Mille Lacs Band DNR office to learn more.
• Learn more about Water Over Nickel at our monthly Band member Q&A virtual session.
• Get the latest updates on Water Over Nickel and ask questions at our virtual Q&A sessions. Hosted by Com missioner of Natural Resources Kelly Applegate, these sessions are open to all Band members, and are held on the second Thursday of each month from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Look for links to the virtual sessions on the Mille Lacs Band DNR Facebook page.
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT WATER OVER NICKEL
Our Water Over Nickel overview video is live on our Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe YouTube channel. We will promote this video — and additional footage collected at the Wild Rice Lake Refuge — in the coming months to increase awareness of the risks associated with the proposed Tamarack Mine.
We encourage you to follow Water Over Nickel on Face book, Instagram, and LinkedIn and to share the video with your friends, family and community.
Looking forward: Watch for our Water Over Nickel advertising campaign.
We are preparing to launch a Water Over Nickel advertising campaign to share our messaging with Minnesotans beginning in May and June 2024. Our Water Over Nickel advertisements will be featured on social media, billboards, and radio stations across key geographies in Minnesota.
Thank you for sharing your voice. Every Band member’s voice matters in our work to protect our clean water from the risks associated with the nickel mine. Thank you for your engagement and involvement with Water Over Nickel.
