Exxon invades the north woods.

• Author: Patenaude, Joel
• Position: Zinc/copper mines threaten Wisconsin Chippewa agriculture

In April, Exxon executives mingled with representatives of four Native American tribes, as well as anglers, small business owners, and environmentalists who packed a meeting in the Nashville Town Hall to oppose a massive underground zinc and copper mine the company wants to build near Crandon, Wisconsin. Area residents grilled Department of Natural Resources officials about the possible effects on their drinking water, trout streams, and tourism if fifty-eight million tons of mine-generated acidic waste were to poison the area.

Especially concerned are the Sakaogon Chippewa, whose wild rice beds lie at the end of the Wolf River tributary, Swamp Creek. That's where Exxon and its partner corporation, Canada-based Rio Algom, propose to discharge mine water containing heavy metals and sulfate.

The rice beds - a source of great spiritual significance and the basis of Chippewa culture - could be destroyed.

"One of the main reasons we are here in the first place is because our prophecies state that we would find our homes where the food grows on water," says Fred Ackley, tribal judge for the Mole Lake tribe.

Not to worry, says J. Wiley Bragg, who handled public relations for Exxon in Alaska after the Exxon-Valdez spill. The mine "will not destroy the...