About Yellow Dog Summer

Yellow Dog Summer follows a set of principles developed by the Women’s Peace Camp at Seneca, New York, in 1983:

 * Our attitude will be one of openness & respect toward anyone we encounter;

* We will not engage in physical or verbal violence toward anyone we encounter;

* We will not bring or use any drugs or alcohol other than for medical purposes;

* We will carry no weapons; &

* We will not run.

 

Yellow Dog Summer was formed along the model of Redwood Summer (1990) & Flambeau Summer (1991), as well as being inspired by Freedom Summer(1964).  Flambeau & Redwood Summers were organized in efforts to protect specific ecosystems (e.g. California Redwoods & the Flambeau River).  Yellow Dog Summer intends to rally citizens from the Great Lakes Region &, specifically, communities along Lake Superior to stop Kennecott’s Eagle Project on the Yellow Dog Plains.  The group will also do what it can to assist citizen movements opposing metallic sulfide mining in other parts of the UP, Wisconsin, Minnesota & Ontario.  We chose to stop the Kennecott project as a first step for the group, as this project is further along & could set a dangerous precedent for the future of our public lands & freshwater resources.  Because Kennecott’s project is located on the Yellow Dog Plains, Yellow Dog Summer was named to honor this specific ecosystem.

Yellow Dog Summer was specifically organized to avoid hierarchies & micro-management, problems typically associated with corporate & non-profit undertakings that must rely on board management & corporate/governmental funding.  While Yellow Dog Summer will have action leaders, there is no designated authority.  We believe this creates greater efficiency, creativity, & fosters equitable relationships between members.

We operate under a position that state government & mining companies can be consistently relied upon to make decisions that adversely affect valuable ecosystems, local economies, & community cohesion & self-respect.  We believe that the public has been under-utilized in this fight & that a highly-involved public is the only thing that can stop ill-advised mining projects.  But we need numbers.  Solidarity is the key.  The people are our strength.  We do not all agree on exact tactics, rhetoric or even our reasons for being involved.  One thing unites us:  we all want to stop unsustainable mining practices.  So, SHOW UP!