Latest Developments in Bad River Community
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In the latest episode of the Wisconsin-based podcast TTBOOK, the complicated history of Native American rights in the United States is explored, with a particular focus on the Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa and their ongoing legal battle over an oil pipeline.
The episode features an interview with Quannah ChasingHorse, the narrator of the "Bad River" documentary and a prominent advocate for Native rights. ChasingHorse discusses her feelings about the interconnectedness of Native people and the land, providing insights into the next generation of Native land rights.
According to ChasingHorse, she felt the presence of her ancestors and her little brother's lineage during a recent photo shoot for National Geographic. This statement emphasizes the deep connection Native people have with the land, a belief that ChasingHorse expresses throughout the interview.
Meanwhile, the Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa are involved in a legal battle over the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline. The current status of the dispute involves ongoing multi-week contested case hearings that began on August 12, 2025. These hearings challenge state permits granted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Enbridge’s proposed 41-mile reroute of Line 5 around the Bad River Reservation.
The hearings are examining whether the Wisconsin DNR properly reviewed and approved wetland, waterway, and stormwater permits for the pipeline reroute, which the tribe and environmental groups argue risks significant environmental harm, including to water quality and wild rice beds integral to the tribe’s culture.
Multiple parties including the Bad River Band, Clean Wisconsin, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Enbridge, and the Wisconsin DNR are presenting their cases and public testimony at scheduled hearings from August through early October 2025. The hearing schedule includes presentations from the environmental groups and tribe, Enbridge, and the DNR itself.
The legal dispute centers on expired pipeline easements on Bad River lands and environmental concerns about the reroute crossing nearly 200 waterbodies and impacting more than 100 wetlands. The hearings are part of ongoing efforts by the tribe and allies to challenge the pipeline’s presence and proposed reroute, following litigation seeking removal of Line 5 from tribal lands after easements expired.
After the hearings conclude in October, a decision on the state permits will be forthcoming but is not immediate.
In addition to the Bad River band's legal battle, the podcast also covers the work of Danielle Kaeding, a reporter for WPR, who is providing updates on the story. Kaeding's coverage includes detailed reports on court cases related to the dispute, as well as reports on water standards and the fast-tracking of projects in the Great Lakes and Wisconsin.
The podcast also features an interview with Mary Mazzio, director of the documentary "Bad River." The documentary, which tells the story of the Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa, has received critical acclaim and provides a powerful portrait of the tribe's fight for sovereignty and environmental justice.
In conclusion, the podcast offers a valuable insight into the complex issues surrounding Native American rights and land disputes, with a particular focus on the Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa and their ongoing legal battle over the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline. The podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning more about these important issues.
[1] Wisconsin DNR [2] Enbridge [3] Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa [4] Clean Wisconsin [5] Midwest Environmental Advocates
- The ongoing legal dispute over the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline, involving the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Clean Wisconsin, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Enbridge, and the Wisconsin DNR, is a significant example of politics intersecting with education-and-self-development, as it revolves around critical environmental and cultural issues, covered in detail by the TTBOOK podcast.
- The history of Native American rights in the United States, particularly the Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa's struggle, is not only crucial for understanding general news events like their ongoing legal battle over the oil pipeline but also serves as a powerful educational tool, shedding light on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and environmental protection, as demonstrated by documentaries like "Bad River."
