Statement by Forest County Potawatomi Community
Chairman Harold “Gus” Frank on awards to the tribe (for their land purchase to save the Wolf River)
from the Wisconsin Stewardship Network
and Trout Unlimited
(February 6, 2004)
A highlight of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network’s (WSN) annual conference was a
ceremony in which Governor Jim Doyle presented two statues that were commissioned by WSN to the Forest County Potawatomi Community and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Band.
The statues were commissioned by WSN to honor and thank the tribes for their purchase and protection of the site of the proposed Crandon mine at the headwaters of the Wolf River.
In addition, the Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited presented Awards of Merit to the Forest County Potawatomi Community and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Band.

Chairman Harold “Gus” Frank, who accepted both awards on behalf of the Forest County Potawatomi Community, released the following statement.

The Forest County Potawatomi Community is honored to receive this beautiful award from the Wisconsin Stewardship Network, the conservation and environmental groups, the businesses and individuals that sponsored it. And we thank Governor Jim Doyle for his participation in this special event. We also are honored to receive the prestigious Award of Merit that our friends at Trout Unlimited are presenting tomorrow.

The Potawatomi purchase of the mine site with the Sokaogon Chippewa stopped an unsafe mining proposal from going forward. Our victory will ensure that wetlands, lakes, streams and groundwater at the headwaters of the Wolf River will be protected for future generations under tribal stewardship. It is a victory that the tribes share and celebrate with area residents, anglers, tourism businesses and environmental groups. Many of our dedicated friends and allies have gotten gray hair or passed on during the many years of this great effort, but no one ever gave up.
In the end, it took more than hard work to succeed. It took money. The Potawatomi could not have succeeded in this fight to protect the Northwoods without the gaming revenues from our casinos. Gaming revenues gave us the resources to hire scientific experts and others who helped demonstrate and publicize the threats of the Nicolet Minerals Company proposal. Revenues from our casinos funded our purchase of the proposed mine site. Indian gaming gave us these resources to protect our traditions, culture and resources.

Unfortunately, the tools we used to protect our heritage are at risk. The Panzer-Gard and Alabama dog track owner lawsuits seek to close every Indian casino in the state. They ask the Wisconsin Supreme Court to put 35,000 people out of work and to do away with 20,000 new jobs. And they ask the court to take away the resources we use to protect the environment and the Northwoods tourism economy.

If the dog track owner and legislative leaders win this lawsuit, it is not just the Indians who will lose. It will be our employees, our contractors and our heritage. And that heritage includes protecting the environment for our generation and for generations to come.

But we hope the court protects our rights and our resources. And we hope to continue our successful alliance with hunters, fishers, environmentalists and tourism businesses to protect our air, our land and our waters for generations to come.

Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers Annual River Clean Up:
Saturday, April 24th, 9AM til noon
This year marks our 9th Annual River Cleanup. For the past eight years volunteers of FMR have been cleaning up Milwaukee’s Rivers. From fishing line to tractor tires...we have seen it all. Our River Cleanup not only improves water quality but also promotes a land ethic and encourages community involvement. The 2004 cleanup will be on April 24th from 9am to noon. Wade through muck, wrestle old tires to shore, get filthy dirty, and have a great time helping cleanup Milwaukee’s Rivers!

River Cleanup Volunteers….Our cleanups would not be successful if it weren’t for the hundreds of volunteers that help us each year! As a River Cleanup Volunteer, you choose a site from one of our existing sites along the Milwaukee, Menomonee or Kinnickinnic Rivers.

On April 24th, at 9am, you report to your site and a coordinator will provide you with bags. You get to cleanup the water and enjoy a day on the river. As a special thank you, every volunteer will receive a free admission coupon good for the Milwaukee County Zoo or one of the Milwaukee County Pools.
Site Coordinators…. Site Coordinators are in charge of selecting a site (we have many that need cleaning), recruiting volunteers, volunteer cleanup activities, and working with FMR staff on other river cleanup responsibilities. It is a stress free job with great rewards. Without our coordinators we could never cover as much ground as we do.

Boats and canoes needed...We are always looking for ways to clean the water from the water! If you own a small boat or canoe and would like to volunteers to cleanup from your vessel, please contact FMR.

Annual Picnic...Join FMR after the cleanup at Jacobus Park Lodge for food and fun. We will be recognizing our site coordinators and giving out our Annual River Hero Awards along with prizes. The picnic is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be provided. The picnic will be from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm with an awards presentation and prizes at 1:30pm.

For more information, to volunteer and to register contact FMR by April 15th…
• 1845 N. Farwell Ave. Suite 100 • Milwaukee, WI • 53202 • www.mkeriverkeeper.org
(414)287-0207 x28

Sierra Club Great Waters Group
2nd Annual Recycled Art Show
The Commission House at 400 N. Broadway
In the Historic 3rd Ward
Gallery Night - Friday April 16, 5-10pm
and Saturday, April 17, 10am-5pm

Please join us at the 2nd Annual Recycled Art Show April 16 and 17. The Great Waters Group of the Sierra Club invites you to attend this exciting and unique art exhibit and event that promotes and supports our many efforts to protect the environment in the Greater Milwaukee area, and celebrates the spirit of Earth Day.

All forms of art created from recycled materials will be on display for viewing and for sale through a silent auction. Proceeds from this event go to support the many environmental initiatives that Great Waters Group volunteers are involved in locally and statewide.

Enjoy entertainment Friday evening by local bands playing 'recycled music' by other musicians. Two of the bands performing are Blue Valentine and the Gleasons. Food and beverages will also be available. On Saturday there will be a children's art workshop, which is a great way to introduce kids to recycling.

See you at the show!

RIVER REVITALIZATION FOUNDATION’S
3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration and Benefit! “Save an Acre”
Join us on EARTH DAY, Thursday, April 22nd from 5-9 PM at the Gordon Park Pavilion.
Support the River Revitalization Foundation’s GREENWAY GOALS!

Location: Gordon Park Pavilion, located in Gordon Park, SE corner of Humboldt Boulevard and Locust Street in Riverwest. Free parking in the adjacent lot.
Cost: $10
Access the trail: the South end of Gordon Park is where the Beerline Trail begins – Take a little hike and experience the great outdoors in an urban setting!

Raise funds for land acquisition and trails along the Milwaukee River:
• Complete the Beerline Bike Trail
• Support the construction by the City of the North Avenue dam pedestrian bridge
• Begin the east bank trail from Caesar’s Park to Riverside Park

Help PRESERVE the River Valley!
FOOD! BEER! MUSIC by the RIVERWEST ACCORDION CLUB!
$10 admission (fundraiser: $5 an acre – buy several – proceeds benefit RRF land fund!)
The River Revitalization Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Your additional contribution is tax deductible to the full extent as provided by law.
For more information, contact us at 414-271-8000 or riverfdn@hotmail.com

River Revitalization Foundation partners with Groundwork Milwaukee
Groundwork USA has provided a grant to the City of Milwaukee to determine the feasibility of establishing Milwaukee as a Groundwork site. RRF has been serving on the steering committee for this initiative. More information follows, but you may also check out the website at groundworkmke.org

The objectives of the GROUNDWORK USA network are to:
• Increase the capacity of communities to improve and care for their local environment.
• Reclaim vacant and derelict lands for conservation, recreation and economic development.
• Clean up and care for neglected areas to signal community pride and rejuvenation.
• Return brownfields to economically productive use while restoring blighted landscapes with healthy environments.
• Integrate environmental education and job training into projects it undertakes.
• Engage business, government, non-profits and communities to work together for sustainable environmental care and enhancement.
• Support business, nonprofit, government and community efforts to improve their local environment.
• Raise the profile of urban environmental improvements as part of a comprehensive approach to smart growth strategies and rejuvenation of inner city communities.
• Insure projects look as good or better in five years as they do on the day of completion.

GROUNDWORK MILWAUKEE WORKING MISSION / GOAL:
“To serve as the installation mechanism for the City of Milwaukee and non-profit organizations that have plans to mitigate brownfield sites, improve vacant lots, or restore riparian areas, etc both public and private. Groundwork Milwaukee would serve as the coordinator and primary contractor to ensure that improvement projects are completed as planned and sites are returned to viable community-identified purposes- economic, environmental and/or social. As the need arises, GWM will also serve as facilitator, organizer and planner when these services are unavailable via other non-profit organizations.”

GROUNDWORK PRESENT:
In September 2003, Milwaukee, WI was designated a Groundwork USA Pilot Community. With this designation the Groundwork Milwaukee Steering Committee will be provided funds and technical assistance from the NPS and EPA to prepare a Feasibility Study and Strategic Plan assessing whether or not Groundwork is appropriate for our community. If Groundwork is deemed appropriate and the plan is approved by the Steering Committee, the City of Milwaukee, National Park Service and EPA, additional funds will be provided to help establish Groundwork Milwaukee to support the hiring of professional staff to implement projects within the City.

GROUNDWORK FUTURE:
Near Future Action
In early 2004 a survey will be prepared and distributed to organizations in the Milwaukee area to help identify how a potential Groundwork Trust in Milwaukee could best fit within the existing matrix of services offered in the city. Following the survey, a Roundtable will be presented, inviting local organizations to share information with their peers regarding their skills, interests and programs. From this Roundtable, the Steering Committee will produce a “Skills Set Matrix” and distribute to all participating organizations. This matrix will serve as a quick reference guide for project partnering opportunities and provide the Steering Committee, the City of Milwaukee, the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Service and Groundwork USA with the information necessary to make a thoughtful decision regarding the establishment of a Groundwork Trust in Milwaukee.