Federally-Recognized Indian Tribes are Speaking Out
to Protect this Vital and Sacred Water
These tribes understand the risk posed by pipelines to their land and water and have adopted resolutions calling for the shutdown of the flow of oil in Enbridge Line 5.
Anishinaabek Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party
The Caucus issued a position statement on May 24, 2019, to Gov. Whitmer and the State of Michigan. In accordance with the Tribal Treaties recognized under the United States Constitution and in solidarity with the position of the Twelve Tribes of Michigan as stewards of the land and water, the Anishinaabek Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party enjoins the Governor and the State of Michigan to shut down Line 5 immediately to eliminate catastrophic risks to water and land, and to abandon plans for a tunnel which would perpetuate existing risks to our resources.
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Mashkiziibi (Bad River) Band denies renewal of Enbridge Line 5 Grant of Easement on January 4, 2017, and calls for the decommissioning and removal of the pipeline from all Bad River lands and watershed. Details here.
Bay Mills Indian Community
A Resolution was passed on March 16, 2015, in support of decommissioning of the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.
Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA)
CORA exists for the purpose of managing the fishery resource under the Treaty of 1836, 7 Stat. 491, through regulation of treaty fishing activity by members of the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
A Resolution was passed on January 23, 2014, in opposition to the transportation of diluted bitumen and other heavy petroleum products in the Great Lakes.
A Resolution was passed on January 28, 2016, in support of the removal or decommissioning of Enbridge Line 5 in the Mackinac Straits.
A Resolution was passed on November 16, 2017, in opposition to placing an oil pipeline in a trench or tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac.
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
A Certificate of Tribal Council Action was adopted on February 18, 2015, to remove Enbridge Line 5 from the Straits of Mackinac.
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
A Resolution was adopted on August 11, 2016, to shut down Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
A Resolution was adopted on March 2, 2016, to urge the Michigan legislature and other regulatory agencies to immediately decommission the Line 5 oil pipeline in the Mackinac Straits.
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
A Resolution was adopted on March 5, 2015, in support of decommissioning and safe removal of the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.
Michigan Indian Elders Association
A Resolution was adopted on April 1, 2017, in support of decommissioning the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.
Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes
The Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, an inter-tribal organization representing all 35 federally-recognized Tribes located in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa, called for the immediate closure of Enbridge Line 5 situated under the five-mile stretch underneath the Mackinac Bridge. The motion was passed unanimously on April 28, 2016.
Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians (a.k.a Gun Lake Tribe)
A Resolution was adopted on April 21, 2016, in support of the decommissioning of Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.
National Congress of Indians
A Resolution opposing the continued operation of unsafe pipelines that endanger tribal lands and resources was adopted on June 30, 2016. Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Tribal Chairperson Aaron Payment was instrumental to the passage of this resolution.
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians
A Resolution was adopted on April 6, 2015, recommending decommissioning of Enbridge Line 5 beneath the Straits of Mackinac, and that the State of Michigan exercise its authority to address current risks associated with Line 5 pending decommissioning.
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
A Resolution was adopted in May 2019 in support of decommissioning the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline and removing it from all territory ceded by the Anishinaabe of Lake Superior, and are in full support of their Bad River relatives in their demand that Enbridge Line 5 be removed from their reservation.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
A Resolution was adopted in June 2016 in support of decommissioning the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline at the Straits of Mackinac.
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
A Resolution was adopted on February 17, 2015, in support of decommissioning the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline at the Straits of Mackinac.
United Tribes of Michigan
A Resolution was adopted on October 26, 2016, in opposition to the continued operation of unsafe pipelines that endanger tribal lands and resources.
The Oil & Water Don't Mix campaign values the partnerships formed with each and every tribe and appreciates and respects the tribes and tribal leaders who are speaking out on behalf of all people and the environment.
If you have a resolution or other tribal-related statement to add to this page please send it here.