JOINING FORCES TO PROTECT OUR CLEAN WATER AND WILD RICE
By Kelly Applegate, Commissioner of Natural Resources
On April 11, members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, along with partners and allies from across the state, gathered in St. Paul for a day of connection, conversation, and shared purpose. The Water Over Nickel Partner Summit was more than just a meeting — it was a reminder of what we can do when we come together to protect the things that matter most: our wa ter, our wild rice, and our communities.
The goal of the day was simple: collaborate, share, and plan. With the public comment period for the Tamarack nickel mine anticipated to take place in early 2026, now is the time to align our efforts and build a strategy that centers people, the environment and clean water.
We kicked things off with a warm welcome and a grounding invocation, setting the tone for a day rooted in respect. From there, we explored everything from the environmental review process for the mine to ways we can amplify our message and reach more people.
It was inspiring to hear from so many different organizations and leaders — each bringing unique strengths and perspectives. Mille Lacs Band leaders and the Water Over Nickel team were joined by leaders from the Prairie Island Indian Community, the Lower Sioux Indian Community the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), WaterLegacy, Friends of the Mississippi River, Northwestern University, the Tamarack Water Alliance and legal, environmental and communication experts.
Ideas and insights exchanged included: • What’s coming next in the permitting process for the proposed mine • How nickel mining could affect our water, health, and way of life •What’s working in our public messaging and how we can improve • Creative ideas for collaboration, from shared data to public education campaigns
Throughout the day, one message came through loud and clear: We all care deeply about Minnesota’s water and wild rice and will fight to protect it. The partner summit event was just the beginning of our efforts to bring experts and visionary leaders together. Going forward we will expand our message through a series of partner meetings and a new round of outreach, including an advertising campaign that will launch this summer.
Chief Executive Virgil Wind said it best: “We don’t inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” That idea was in the air throughout the summit, inspiring us to think not just about today, but about the future we want to build. We'll need our community to help us keep the momentum going. Visit WaterOverNickel.com to learn more, follow us on social media, and sign up to receive updates from our team. This is just the beginning. Together, we’re creating a strong, connected movement to protect Minnesota’s clean water and wild rice for generations to come.
