Reserved treaty rights provide a measure of protection on tribal ceded lands. The right to hunt, fish, and gather were not granted rights, rather they were rights retained by our ogimaag (leaders) during the period of treaty negotiations. Embedded within those rights are environmental protections to sustain our sustenance resources that include not only wildlife and plants, but also waters and ecosystems.
Mining presents a grave threat to our environment. - an environment that is shared by Anishinaabeg and non-Native alike. It is imperative that we protect the environment not only for ourselves, but also for the generations that will follow. We know that this is what our leaders had in mind when they negotiated treaties in the 1880's. As Anishinaabeg, we have a responsibility and obligation to carry forth the means and protections that our leaders provided us with.