Government
U.P. mine project faces sacred site claims
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By PATRICK LYONS
Capital News Service
LANSING – The Eagle Project mine is facing opposition from the local Native American community which says the mine is being blasted directly into a sacred site. Local tribes and environmental organizations, including the Keewenaw Bay Indian Community and the National Wildlife Federation, are challenging the project in court. They claim the operation threatens Eagle Rock, a sacred site for Anishinaabe people, according to Jessica Koski, the mining technical assistant for the community. “Sacred sites like Eagle Rock were usually used for fasting and for vision quests. They are isolated, usually higher places and a distinct landscape feature,” Koski said.