The survey, sponsored by Water Over Nickel, also underscores the necessity of better comprehending potential dangers.

ONAMIA, Minn., July 8, 2025 — An initiative spearheaded by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, today unveiled the findings of the inaugural Minnesota Water Outlook survey*, which gauged Minnesotans’ relationship with clean water. The survey brought to light a notable disparity between Minnesotans’ common appreciation for clean water and their general understanding of the present dangers jeopardizing this vital resource.

Clean water unites Minnesotans

The Minnesota Water Outlook survey, conducted in March 2025, gathered responses from over 1,000 Minnesotans spanning all age groups, genders, and primary geographic areas*. This polling indicated a shared bond among Minnesotans concerning clean water:

• A substantial 86% of Minnesotans consider water protection to be of very or utmost importance.
• An overwhelming 85% view clean water as integral to Minnesota’s identity, placing it above all other issues examined in the survey.
• A striking 95% affirm the necessity of safeguarding water for generations to come.

Majority of Minnesotans don’t understand potential threats to clean water

Nevertheless, over half of the Minnesotans polled (58%) are uninformed about how nickel mining affects water quality, and merely 16% possess knowledge of a proposed nickel mine project that poses a potential risk to watersheds along the Mississippi River and across the metropolitan region.

“These findings underscore that clean water is fundamental to the identity of Minnesotans,” stated Kelly Applegate, Commissioner of Natural Resources for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. “Yet, they also expose a significant knowledge deficit. There is a chance for Minnesotans to become more informed about the dangers associated with nickel mining operations and to seek out alternative, environmentally sound approaches, before the situation becomes irreversible.”

Nickel extraction sites pose a grave environmental hazard. The metallic ore mining industry was responsible for 44% of toxic discharges (equating to 1.43 billion pounds), predominantly in the form of on-site land dumping. This danger is especially pronounced in areas abundant in water, such as the vicinity of the proposed Tamarack Mine in Aitkin County, Minnesota, situated upstream from crucial drinking water supplies and ecologically important locations, including the Mississippi and St. Croix River basins.

“A truly clean nickel mine has never existed,” asserted Kathryn Hoffman, CEO of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. “Such activities generate acid mine drainage, jeopardizing aquatic organisms, underground water reserves, and hallowed ecological systems. The scientific evidence is unequivocal: nickel mining conducted in water-rich settings, such as Minnesota, inflicts enduring harm upon neighboring regions and their communities.”

No alternative to water

“The moment for action is now. Safeguarding clean water extends beyond current concerns; it involves protecting an indispensable, vital resource,” stated Applegate. “Water stands as our most crucial asset. There are no substitutes: once pure water becomes contaminated, recovery is impossible.”

Water Over Nickel represents an initiative spearheaded by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, dedicated to shielding clean water, land, and cultural heritage from the detrimental effects of mining. Water Over Nickel strives to guarantee that Indigenous perspectives and anxieties regarding nickel mining’s influence on Native communities are recognized and given due consideration. 

“The choices we make concerning Minnesota’s water today will resonate for countless generations,” remarked Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Virgil Wind. “We do not inherit the earth from our forebears; we merely hold it in trust for our descendants.”

*The Minnesota Water Outlook survey, encompassing 1005 Minnesotans (with demographics balanced to reflect the state’s geographic distribution), was executed and assessed by Hive Collaborative in March 2025.

About Water Over Nickel
Water Over Nickel is a program helmed by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, backed by partner organizations, with the goal of safeguarding Minnesota’s water, populace, natural assets, and cultural landmarks from the adverse effects of nickel mining. Our endeavors are rooted in our dedication to maintaining Minnesota’s natural landscape and aquatic resources for future generations. Visit  to explore further and get involved.

SOURCE Non-Removable Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe