Updates on Bad River's situation
In the world of journalism, Danielle Kaeding, a reporter at WPR, is diligently following the ongoing legal battle of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa against Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline[4]. This pipeline, which runs through their sovereign lands in northern Wisconsin and beneath the Great Lakes, is a source of concern for the Band, who argue that it threatens their land, water, and treaty rights[1][4].
The podcast "TTBOOK" has revisited the episode "What is Tribal Sovereignty?" to delve deeper into this issue[2]. In this episode, the podcast features discussions on the future of Native land rights with Quannah ChasingHorse, a prominent figure in the Native community. ChasingHorse's participation adds a unique perspective to the discussions, highlighting the deep connection between Native people and the land[3].
The legal disputes involve multiple courts and regulatory bodies. In February 2024, the federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit heard arguments involving the Bad River Band challenging Enbridge’s operation and the pipeline's shutdown. This case centers on Enbridge’s violation of tribal sovereignty and environmental risks[2]. In April 2025, four Tribal Nations, including the Bad River Band, along with environmental groups, appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn a lower court decision that upheld the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) approval of a major tunnel project permitting Enbridge to house the pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac for another 99 years[1][2].
The band and allies contend that Enbridge's history includes catastrophic spills and environmental destruction, and that fast-tracking the tunnel project imperils the Great Lakes ecosystem—the heart of life for the Anishinaabe people[1]. Regarding water standards and environmental concerns, the pipeline poses a risk to the Great Lakes watershed, a critical freshwater resource. The Bad River Band insists that stricter enforcement of environmental protections is necessary to safeguard their water and treaty rights, which they feel federal and state agencies have not adequately upheld[1][4].
At the same time, there is ongoing legislative pressure to fast-track energy infrastructure projects nationally, such as the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 introduced by Senators Manchin and Barrasso. This bill aims to accelerate permitting processes for energy projects, including fossil fuel pipelines, but critics argue it undermines environmental reviews and tribal consultation, potentially exacerbating conflicts like the Line 5 dispute[3].
In a separate but related news, Quannah ChasingHorse, the narrator of the "Bad River" documentary, shared her feelings about a recent photo shoot for National Geographic. During the shoot, ChasingHorse felt the presence of her ancestors and her brother's lineage, underscoring the deep connection between Native people and the land[5]. ChasingHorse's statements emphasize the importance of land rights to the Native community, believing that Native people are not separate from nature, but are part of it.
In summary:
| Aspect | Status / Impact | |-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Legal Battle | Ongoing multi-court appeals by Bad River Band and allies challenging pipeline operation and tunnel project permits | | Water Standards | Tribal demand for stricter enforcement; concerns pipeline violates environmental laws and treaty rights | | Fast-tracking Projects | Federal legislative push to speed energy project approvals criticized for possibly reducing environmental safeguards | | Community Impact | Risk to Great Lakes ecosystem and cultural heritage; threat of spills and pollution |
The situation remains dynamic with continuing court hearings and regulatory reviews as of mid-2025[1][2][3][4]. The Bad River Band’s fight exemplifies the broader tension between indigenous sovereignty, environmental protection, and fossil fuel infrastructure development in the Great Lakes region.
For more updates on Danielle Kaeding's reports, visit wpr.org.
[1] Kaeding, D. (2025). Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Fights Enbridge's Line 5 Oil Pipeline. WPR. Retrieved from https://www.wpr.org/bad-river-band-lake-superior-chippewa-fights-enbridges-line-5-oil-pipeline
[2] Kaeding, D. (2024). Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Challenges Enbridge's Line 5 Operation and Shutdown. WPR. Retrieved from https://www.wpr.org/bad-river-band-lake-superior-chippewa-challenges-enbridges-line-5-operation-and-shutdown
[3] Kaeding, D. (2024). Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024: Critics Say It Undermines Environmental Reviews and Tribal Consultation. WPR. Retrieved from https://www.wpr.org/energy-permitting-reform-act-2024-critics-say-it-undermines-environmental-reviews-and-tribal-consultation
[4] Kaeding, D. (2025). Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Fighting for Water Standards and Environmental Protection. WPR. Retrieved from https://www.wpr.org/bad-river-band-lake-superior-chippewa-fighting-water-standards-and-environmental-protection
[5] National Geographic (2025). Quannah ChasingHorse: A Photo Shoot Experience. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/2025/quannah-chasinghorse-a-photo-shoot-experience/
In this context, the intersection of history, education-and-self-development, and general news can be explored through the podcast "TTBOOK" featuring discussions on the future of Native land rights with Quannah ChasingHorse. Additionally, continuous updates on the Bad River Band's legal battle against Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline can be found in the general news section, as reported regularly by Danielle Kaeding, a journalist at WPR.
