The Latest From Your Friends at Up North Advocacy
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Dear {{ FirstName | default: 'Friend' }},
As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on an incredible first year as an organization. Together with our neighbors, we’ve built something special—a grassroots movement rooted in hope, hard work, and a deep love for Northern Michigan.
This past year, we were proud to lead efforts in voter education and turnout, empowering our communities to make their voices heard through the electoral process. From knocking on doors to hosting forums and sharing resources, we’ve seen firsthand the power of connection and collective action. While not every race went the way we had hoped, we know we have a growing movement of impassioned community members who will continue the fight with us in future elections.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue strengthening our communities through impactful projects in education, environmental stewardship, and community-building. The year ahead holds so much promise, and we are ready to meet it with the same determination that carried us through this year—and with more than a little help from our amazing community.
We are deeply thankful for the trust and support you’ve shown us in our first year. It’s because of you—our neighbors, partners, and friends—that Up North Advocacy is thriving. Here’s to all we’ve accomplished together and to the many opportunities ahead to make Northern Michigan an even better place to call home.
Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and joyous holiday season,
Up North Advocacy Team
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In August, we gathered in downtown Sault Ste. Marie to discuss Project 2025 and the potential rollbacks to reproductive freedom under a future Trump presidency. With valuable insights from our partners at Reproductive Freedom for All and support from dedicated volunteers who sent postcards, we were able to inform and engage our community on this crucial issue.
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In October, we hosted an informative event where our guest speakers shed light on the alarming threats to personal liberties posed by Project 2025, particularly in rural communities. Speakers from Reproductive Freedom for All, Michigan Education Justice Coalition Action Fund, and the ACLU provided valuable insights on the potential impacts, while we shared important updates on voting, including where to find early voting polling stations and how to support voter turnout.
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In October, we co-hosted a screening of Bad River in St. Ignace, sharing the story of a Wisconsin-based Indigenous community’s fight against Enbridge Inc. With partners from the Michigan Climate Action Network and the Anishinabek Caucus we discussed how we, too, can protect our land and water.
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We were thrilled with the level of public attendance at our Onaway School Board Candidate Forum and were glad to see the majority of candidates participate. A special thank you to Community Mediation Services of Gaylord for moderating and guiding the discussion with professionalism and care. The results reflect the importance of the forum—none of the candidates who chose not to participate were elected. It’s clear that the community valued the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and engage in meaningful discussion about the future of our schools.
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Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and the support of the local OAS YES committee, our canvassing efforts in Onaway played a key role in turning out voters in high numbers for the election. It’s inspiring to see our community’s engagement, and we’re proud to have contributed to such a strong voter turnout!
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Our team knocked on hundreds of doors in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, educating the community about early in-person voting options. We also reminded voters to complete their entire ballot, including the non-partisan sections, ensuring every voice was heard in this important election. Pictured here are a few of our amazing volunteers who helped make it happen!
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In October, we gathered a group of men to explore the idea of creating a supportive space for connection and personal growth. The conversations were so impactful that we decided to move forward with launching our first pilot cohort in January. The Men’s Circle program aims to create stronger relationships, encourage personal growth, and build supportive networks for men within our community. We’re excited to see how this initiative develops and the positive impact it will have in the coming year!
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We’re excited to continue our efforts to improve local schools by making them more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. Many schools in our communities are in need of repairs, and we’re taking advantage of federal funding opportunities to help make these necessary upgrades. By focusing on energy savings, renewable energy options, and sustainable solutions, we aim to create healthier learning environments while saving schools money. In the year ahead, we look forward to collaborating with both schools and community members to make these essential improvements a reality.
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In closing, we’d like to wish you the happiest of holidays and extend our heartfelt thanks for your continued support of UNA’s mission. May we build on these successes in the new year and work together to make 2025 the best year yet for improving lives in Northern Michigan.
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Steering Committee Members
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Heidi Witucki
Monica Cady-Steering
Chloe Kannon
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Up North Advocacy is a fiscally sponsored project of Forward Michigan, a 501c4 non-profit organization.
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