The North Wind

Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jeff Kitson

The NMU student group Students Against Sulfide Mining (SASM) has, since its inception, spoken out against the Kennecott nickel and copper mine site proposed 25 miles from Marquette. During public forums, members of the group shared their feelings about the proposed mine with government officials - baring their souls in the process.

Now, the group is baring a little bit more.

SASM members recently published a partially-nude calendar to raise funds which they posed for and conceptualized. All the photos in the calendar are in black and white and were taken on the Yellow Dog Plains, the location of the proposed Kennecott mine.

"It was done for fundraising, and also was a fun way to highlight the Yellow Dog Plains area," SASM faculty adviser John Rebers said.

Bethany Lyons, SASM president, said the idea of posing nude for a calendar was originally more of a joke, but that the final outcome was nothing of the sort.

"It was a silly idea that turned out to be a very artistic and very beautiful product," Lyons said.

SASM member Amanda Boyle said the idea came from a student group at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse that put out a calendar titled "Green is Sexy." Boyle, who posed for the calendar, said it was an inspiring experience.

"It was a fun thing to do, especially being out on the Yellow Dog Plains," Boyle said. "At first we were all a little apprehensive to walk around naked with a bunch of your friends, but it got easier."

Boyle added that the photo shoot, during a cold winter day, was liberating.

"Obviously you're putting yourself out there to be shown in a public forum for all that you're worth," she said.

The calendars are on sale at Save the Wild U.P. and the Marquette Food Co-op for $22. At press time, SASM had sold 135 calendars.

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