I painted ‘Keeper of the Staff’ at the site to honor the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa for their perseverance and determination to keep their wild rice beds free from the pollution of mining. In the background you can see Swamp Creek which leads to Mole Lake and in the distance is Spirit Hill where the mine was proposed. The eagle feather staff was taken to every protest and rally, defeating companies like Exxon and BHP Billiton, and protecting the headwaters of the Wolf River for all of us. After fighting major companies for over 28 years, the tribe (with much help from the Pottawatomi Tribe) bought out the mining rights, hopefully defeating the threat to their rice beds forever. The Keeper of the Staff is a real person charged with the responsibility to watch and make sure the water stays clean.
While I painted, the turtle came and laid her eggs, the heron flew down the creek and the eagle soared overhead. I am grateful for these blessings.

Transparent watercolor
Original: NA
Offered as 8.5 x 11 print for $30 or 13 x 19 print for $65

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