Posted on behalf of Allison Lawrence, a student at Big Sky High School
We are SSEEJ: Students for Social Economic and Environmental Justice, based in Missoula, MT. We began as an Environmental Club two years earlier, but soon realized justice should not be exclusive to just the environment. In the fight for justice, you cannot neglect the economic and social aspects. SSEEJ is working to expose the active injustices in our community and in our world. Our past campaigns have included: working to convince our school’s coffee cart to sell only one-hundred percent organic and fairly traded coffee, made by JustCoffee, and planting a salsa garden in hopes of providing Big Sky students with healthy lunches.
Currently we are taking the Montana State Land Board to task regarding their decision to mine for coal deposits in Otter Creek in Eastern MT. These tracts of land are on Northern Cheyenne tribal land, and for the first time ever the tribal government is pro coal. The State Land Board, at their December 2009 meeting, voted to begin the bidding process for this land. The money from the sale would go to funding for the public school system, but as students who would directly benefit from this money, we say no to this coal powered money.
[Editors note] Check out video of Big Sky High School students staging a walk out to protest the Otter Creek Coal deal.
Friends, this is really about the long-controversial Tongue River Railroad. The mine will never operate unless a billion dollar rail-line is built through the pristine farm and ranch land along the Tongue River valley.
The huge money for the railroad would have to come from the public treasury. The huge construction profits will go to the rich and powerful construction Bosses, and then the coal Bosses will be set to reap the mining profits. The ranchers, farmers, local culture and environment will suffer. A few long-term half-decent non-union jobs in mining will be generated in return.
Local sustainability does not need this mine or railroad. It is simple to see who wins if you follow the money trail. Huge Corporations!
Jim Del Duca
Billings, Montana