Wolf River Protection Fund

Like many tribal lands across North America, the Sokaogon Chippewa reservation in Northern Wisconsin faces environmental perils that threaten not only the land, but also the livelihood and culture of the people who live on it. The Sokaogon spent close to three decades battling one of those perils: the proposed reopening of a nearby zinc and copper mine. In 2003, thanks in large part to the efforts of environmental director and tribal council member Tina Van Zile, the tribe joined forces with the neighboring Forest County Potawatomi to end the battle -- by buying the mine.

Three years ago, the Sokaogon Chippewa tribe of Northern Wisconsin bought the nearby site of a proposed mine, winning a 30-year battle to preserve their land and community. But this April, the mortgage comes due, and the tribe is still struggling to raise money to pay it off.

The Sokaogon, one of the smallest and poorest tribes in the U.S., have tried a wide variety of fundraising efforts -- from selling commemorative mine borings to auctioning off rifles -- to raise their share of the bill.

The Wolf River Protection Fund helps the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community repay an $8 million loan and other expenses related to their purchase of the former Crandon mine.
http://wolfriverprotectionfund.org/