White Earth Responds to Minnesota Court of Appeals Decision Regarding Line 3

White Earth, Minnesota – In a 2-1 ruling, the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued its decision yesterday regarding the Enbridge Line 3 certificate of need appeal filed by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. The Court unfortunately decided to uphold the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission decision last fall to issue the certificate of need for the Line 3 pipeline, currently under construction throughout the 1855 Treaty ceded territory, crossing the Mississippi headwaters and endangering 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.”

“We will never stop the fight to protect our future generations and children,” Chairman Fairbanks continued. “White Earth must continue protecting our natural resources, including food sovereignty. It is important to understand that this fierce protection of our water and food is our human right, and that if the pipeline construction continues, it will most definitely impact our children’s future, including our culture and our way of life.”

In this appeal, the White Earth Band of Ojibwe was joined by the Red Lake Nation, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Honor the Earth and other environmental groups. Located in northwestern Minnesota, the White Earth Reservation was established in the Treaty of 1867, and is currently part of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.