I’ve been doing labor and community organizing for the last 20 years. I have good friends that work in the building trades, in the mining industry, and that are active in environmental groups. I’ve seen firsthand how divisive the issue of mining for precious metals has been in Northern Minnesota. It is clear to me that the issue of mining is the issue that is keeping our region from work collaboratively to address mental health, education, healthcare, infrastructure, crime, and economic issues in a significant and sustainable way.

My goal for this project is to try and provide an objective analysis of the dynamics of precious metal mining, the division it causes, and what the path forward could be.

Having been involved in the labor movement and environmental issues over the last 20 years, I think I hold a unique space in this conversation. I am ultimately “pro-mining” but I also value clean water, respect our native tribal nations, and am weary of both big promises and doomsday predictions.

Please contact me if this project is something you are interested in helping make happen.

Contact:

Chad McKenna

mckennachad@gmail.com

218.606.2891