White Earth Reservation Vocalizes Displeasure with Line 3 Ruling

WHITE EARTH (KDLM) – The White Earth Reservation has vocalized their displeasure with a Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling this week ensuring the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline construction through the Mississippi headwaters.

The Reservation believes the pipeline will endanger hundreds of wild rice waters sacred to the Ojibwe people. “We are very disappointed that the Court of Appeals upheld the PUC’s decision to issue the certificate of need,” White Earth Reservation Business Committee Chairman Michael Fairbanks said. “Despite the Court’s ruling, the White Earth Reservation remains steadfast in our opposition to the construction of this unnecessary and dangerous pipeline.”

The White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Honor the Earth and other environmental groups had initiated the appeal which was decided in a 2-1 vote early this week.