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Joanne Bates asks how a proposed data center benefits the earth, citing Lakota principle
Summary
Joanne Bates of Hermantown invoked Lakota teachings during public comment and asked the St. Louis County board to explain how a proposed data center positively contributes to the earth, urging honest and direct responses.
Joanne Bates of Hermantown, Minnesota, addressed the St. Louis County board during the public participation segment, invoking Lakota philosophy and asking how a proposed data center would "positively contribute to the earth."
Bates said the Lakota teaching that "we are living because of Earth" implies that projects harmful to the earth are also harmful to people. She asked the board for "honest and direct responses" about the environmental merits of the data center and suggested that decisions should reflect respect for the earth and community wellbeing.
The comment framed the question in indigenous environmental terms and did not reference a specific county vote or formal proposal in this session. No board response or staff presentation on the data center was recorded in the public participation segment.
