Water is Medicine: Caring for the Wetlands of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community

Since time immemorial, the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (SCC) has recognized the interconnections between lands, waters, and living beings, and they understand that what happens upstream affects everything downstream. This concept was physically embodied when they established a “traditional cultural district” in 2002. The district encompasses the headwaters of Swamp Creek and Rice Lake, a critical area for rice and other food and medicines. In 1995, the SCC also became the first tribe east of the Mississippi River to obtain Treatment as a State and develop water quality standards (as states do). While both the traditional cultural district and the water quality standards were codified to help the Tribe protect resources crucial to their cultural and traditional practices, they proved invaluable in the Tribe’s fight against the Crandon Mine.

This video was produced in partnership by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council, and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. Additional financial support was provided by Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and the Mole Lake Casino Lodge Event Center.

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Special thanks to the following individuals for their help with this video:

Robert Van Zile, Jr., Tribal Chairman of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and a Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal Member, Eagle Clan.
Tina L. Van Zile, Director of the Environmental Department of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and a Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal Member, Lynx Clan.
Nathan Podany, Hydrologist with the Environmental Department of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
James Polar Sr.
Joshewa Van Zile
Jacqueline Braun
Tashena Van Zile
Finn Ryan