FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29th, 2026

Contact: Andrew Kaplowitz, Great Lakes Water Protector Network (517) 899-1976

Water Protectors, Tribal Leaders and Community Members "Paddle for the Future" in St. Ignace, Protest Line 5

Over 300 people attended the paddle event at Kiwanis Beach in St. Ignace. Participants prayed during a water ceremony led by Colleen Utter and signed up to take action to shut down Line 5.

WHO:

• Hosts: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Great Lakes Water Protector Network

• Partners: Black to the Land, Mackinac Straits Watersports, Big Stone Bay Fishery

• Sponsors: Freshwater Future, Michigan Climate Action Network, Oil and Water Don't Mix, FracTracker Alliance

WHAT:

"Paddle for the Future" floatilla, water ceremony and feast – hosted by the Sault Tribe and the Great Lakes Water Protector Network –  brought together over 300 local community members and allies from across the state to demand Line 5 be shut down and the proposed tunnel project rejected. 

The Sault Tribe provided buses to help people attend the event. Chef Dennis Carrick cooked 50 lbs of fish donated by the Big Stone Bay fishery. The event was attended by Melissa Perron and Kate Gallup - candidates for state House and Senate respectively. 

WHEN & WHERE:

Aug. 29th 2026 from 9-12 PM at Kiwanis Beach in St. Ignace

WHY:

Show public opposition to the Line 5 tunnel project and connect local residents to opportunities to get involved in the work to shut down Line 5. 

QUOTES:

• “The Sault Tribe opposes Line 5 and the Line 5 tunnel.” Austin Lowes, Chairman, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

• "We gather in St. Ignace to protect the water, protect the Straits, and protect the future. The Straits of Mackinac are not a sacrifice zone, and the Great Lakes are not a pipeline corridor. No amount of oil, money, or promises is worth gambling with the water that sustains our families, our communities, and the generations to come. Water is Life!  We must protect and preserve Nibi gaa-bimaaji’iwemagak 'The water that gives life'" Sue St. Onge, Unit III Director, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and event organizer.

• “Bad River is the only reservation to successfully kick a pipeline off its land” Joe Bates, Elder from Bad River speaking about his work to record footage of the Line 5 reroute currently under construction in Wisconsin.

• “This is a 21 foot diameter tunnel, I don’t think people realize that” Shirley Jons, local organizer about the proposed line 5 tunnel.

• "We're honored to partner with the Sault Tribe and longstanding community leaders to host Paddle for the Future. We're building on a long tradition of water events in the straits. It's a beautiful way to bring people together and help folks find ways to take action." Andrew Kaplowitz, Great Lakes Water Protector Network