Grand Council Treaty #3 has added its voice to a growing chorus against mining development in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota.
On April 16th, the US senate lifted a long-standing protection of the boundary waters area.
That means a Chilean company can open a sulfide-ore copper mine.
Treaty #3 says this is a sensitive region with waters that flow directly into the Rainy River system and Lake of the Woods.
“This is not just a local issue, it is a transboundary concern that directly affects our waters, our environment, and our way of life,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh.
“We stand with our relatives across the border in protecting the waters that connect us. The health of these waters is critical to our people, now and for future generations.”
Grand Council Treaty #3 is calling for immediate engagement with Canadian federal agencies, including the International Joint Commission, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Canada Water Agency, to address the risks posed by these developments and to strengthen transboundary water protections.
Treaty #3 says for decades mining activity in this region has been restricted due to the high risk of contamination.
