Nearly 200 community members from across the northland gathered at the Cook County YMCA in Grand Marais. All photos by Haley Brickner

By Haley Brickner - Boreal Community Media - March 24, 2025

Around 200 community members gathered at the Cook County YMCA on March 21 for a town hall meeting with State Senator Grant Hauschild. The event provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns on issues affecting northern Minnesota.

Hauschild is in his first term representing Senate District 3, the largest and most rural district in the state, which includes the Arrowhead Region, East Iron Range, North Shore, Superior National Forest, Voyageurs National Park, Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Grand Portage and Bois Forte Tribal Nations, and many communities across the Northland.

  Local business owner Linda Newman calls for protection of wild rice, which is especially important    to Minnesota's Indigenous communities.

Mining & Environmental Concerns

A major focus of the town hall was the future of mining in northeastern Minnesota and its impact on the environment. The community brought forth numerous concerns and voiced strong opposition to mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and other protected lands, fearing irreversible damage to ecosystems and water quality. One resident stated, “For many of us in your district, the Boundary Waters and its ecological integrity is a must issue. It’s a breaking point for us.”

One of the primary concerns was the long-term pollution risks associated with mining. Attendees pointed out that past projects have left sites contaminated for hundreds of years, with some areas still leaking pollutants into local waterways. There was a call for stronger environmental regulations and for mining companies to be held accountable for cleanup efforts.

Concerns were also raised over wild rice habitats, which are ecologically and culturally significant, particularly for Indigenous communities. Hauschild discussed legislation (Senate File (SF) 1247) aimed at strengthening protections for wild rice waters but expressed concerns about potential impacts on existing mining operations. He stated that while he supports efforts to protect wild rice, he also emphasized the need to balance environmental preservation with economic considerations.

  Wild rice is a food of great historical, spiritual, and cultural importance for Anishinaabe people.       Attendees expressed their concerns over pollution from mining as a threat to this sacred resource.

Another point of contention was a recent federal executive order prioritizing mining on 700 million acres of public land, including national parks and wilderness areas. Many attendees strongly criticized the order.

Hauschild reiterated his stance that he opposes opening national parks and the BWCAW to mining. He also opposes the automatic reissuing of mining permits without environmental review, which has been proposed at the federal level. However, he does not support a blanket ban on mining in the region and believes that each project should be evaluated individually through a state permitting process rather than being dictated by changing presidential administrations. This stance has drawn criticism from some constituents who want permanent protection for the BWCAW from copper-nickel mining. One attendee stated, “For the wilderness edge communities, we keep saying time and time again, we want permanent protection. We want it permanently.”

The discussion underscored the ongoing struggle between economic interests and environmental protection in the northland.

Wildfire protection also surfaced as a key concern. The community raised alarms about Forest Service layoffs, which they fear could leave the region vulnerable during wildfire season. Hauschild assured attendees that he has been in discussions with officials to advocate for more resources.

  Hauschild fielded questions from residents about everything from mining to maple syrup.

Economic Challenges in Rural Minnesota

The conversation shifted to the economic difficulties facing rural communities and access to essential services. Residents voiced frustration over federal budget cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, and education funding. Senator Hauschild told the crowd that Minnesota is considered a “donor state,” meaning that it contributes more to federal taxes than it receives back in federal funding. Yet, rural Minnesota remains disproportionately affected by funding reductions. The Senator committed to fighting for federal support and elevating the concerns of his constituents at the state level.

Healthcare access was also a major issue, particularly regarding potential Medicaid cuts and challenges facing rural hospitals. A local healthcare worker warned that new policies could put additional strain on small medical facilities, making it harder for them to serve their communities. Hauschild acknowledged these concerns and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting healthcare services for rural Minnesotans.

  The community came prepared with questions and concerns on issues facing northern Minnesota.

The town hall also highlighted childcare affordability and availability as an urgent issue. One local parent shared how the high cost of childcare—up to $12,000 annually per child—was making it difficult for families to stay in the region. Hauschild stated his commitment to universal childcare funding and higher wages for childcare providers, calling it a “moral and economic necessity for the state.”

Education funding disparities were another key topic, with Hauschild advocating for legislation (SF 1197) to restore seasonal property tax revenue to local school districts, arguing it would help underfunded rural schools. Currently, the tax money from seasonal properties is allocated to the General Fund, the largest fund in the state treasury, accounting for all financial resources not required to be accounted for in another fund. If the legislation passes, the tax money would be allocated to the operating levy for Cook County Schools. 

Another concern raised during the town hall was the strained relationship between the U.S. and Canada and its impact on northern Minnesota’s economy. Attendees noted that tensions at the federal level have led to a decline in Canadian tourism and commerce, which are vital to local businesses. The downturn in border communities such as Grand Portage and International Falls has been especially pronounced. Hauschild acknowledged these challenges and emphasized the importance of strengthening Minnesota’s ties with Canada. He has met with Canadian officials and local business leaders to discuss ways to encourage cross-border cooperation.

  An event volunteer hands out lawn signs to attendees.

Civil Rights & Social Issues

The town hall attendees also addressed concerns regarding civil rights and social equality. Residents raised questions about LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in light of potential federal rollbacks on same-sex marriage protections. Hauschild reminded attendees that Minnesota has established these protections in state law, and he is hopeful that they will continue to be upheld.

A heated exchange occurred over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in schools, with one attendee blaming LGBTQ+ issues for declining education quality. Many in the crowd vehemently rejected this claim and began yelling and booing over the speaker so they could not continue speaking. Hauschild stepped in and stated that “people have the right to their own opinion,” reminding attendees that “we live in a democracy,” but responded firmly, showing strong support for inclusivity in school by saying,  “Diversity and inclusion do not diminish the quality of education. Ensuring that every student feels safe, valued, and respected in their learning environment is fundamental to their success. Schools should be places where all students, including LGBTQ+ youth, feel supported and empowered to thrive.”

  Following the event, Hauschild was available for one-on-one interactions with attendees.

Next Steps

One community member asked Hauschild what citizens can do if they want to push back on actions the Federal Government is taking. The Senator encouraged residents to continue advocating for their priorities through direct outreach to lawmakers, emphasizing that individualized letters with personal stories are the most impactful. He shared that phone calls are tracked but usually tallied under “pro” or “con” for a particular issue, adding that specifics of a call or message may not be able to be passed on.

Senator Hauschild will host another Town Hall event on April 5th, 2025, and plans to schedule more in the near future.