Northern Wisconsin residents gathered to boil maple sap along the banks of the Bad River, on Canadian oil giant Enbridge’s pipeline easement for its 41-mile Line 5 reroute on March 29, 2026. Enbridge started construction activities in late February, despite numerous ongoing lawsuits challenging its operation of the pipeline.
Unicorn Riot heard from Bad River Tribal Member Joe Bates and local resident Liam Delmain about the significance of the event and risks of Line 5. “We’re gathering here today to spend some time connecting with the water that we’re fighting to protect. It’s the same water that runs through the maple trees growing here on the river bottoms that bring us sugar this time of year,” said Delmain. Bates says that Enbridge is forcing the city of Ashland to sell them water, which they will use for drilling.
