In Mole Lake, Wisconsin, where the Mole Lake Band of Sokaogon Chippewa live, more than 200 indigenous peoples from Turtle Island (NorthAmerica) came together to learn about the impacts of mining activities on indigenous lands. The goals were to share the experiences of peoples affected by these activities, to consolidate alliances and to build unified strategies against destructive mining practices. Some of the indigenous peoples that participated are the Dine' (Navajo), the Hopi, the Gros Ventre, Sokaogon Chippewa of Mole Lake, the Mohawk, the Menominee Nation and the Quechuan. “We are evolving as a movement of native peoples. The program and goals of the Summit encompassed our traditional values and responsibilities and provided a space for those of us impacted by the same issue to learn and organize together locally, nationally and internationally,” said Tom Goldtooth, National Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network.
