Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa

A plan for a Scenic Byway in Forest County is just one step away from becoming a reality.  

The Wolf River Heritage Corridor would follow Highway 55, north from Langlade to Nelma near Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. 

The more than one hundred mile route bisects the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community.  It also includes a loop near Three Lakes. 

Forest County Economic Development Director Jim Schuessler says getting the scenic byway designation is a rigorous process. 

Today marks 10 years since two Native tribes purchased land that was once slated for a copper and zinc mine near the Mole Lake Sokaogon Reservation.

That tribe and Forest County Potawatomi bought the land for more than 16 million dollars. 

WXPR’s Natalie Jablonski went to a celebration this weekend marking the anniversary…and she sat down with some of the tribal activists from Mole Lake. 

Hear from Fred Ackley Jr.:

Hear from Francis Van Zile:

Today marks 10 years since a proposal for a copper and zinc mine in Forest County came to an end.  Members of the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa and Menominee tribes gathered this weekend to celebrate…but pointed out that mining remains a controversial issue in northern Wisconsin. 

The Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community in Forest county has been selected to host an event in 2015 that continues to highlight the growing interest in Native American tourism.

The Native American Tourism of Wisconsin conference travels each year to another of the 11 state tribal sites.

NATOW vice-chairwoman and Mole Lake Lodge and Conference Center Manager Carmen McGeshick says the gathering each year is designed to raise tourism awareness. The consortium recently took a step forward with the hiring of a new director...