In just seven days, we’ve shown what dedication, collaboration, and community power can do. Up North Advocacy hit the ground running with three different events across our region—all in one week! From engaging conversations to hands-on action, we’ve been busy making connections, building momentum, and advancing our mission to uplift voices in northern Michigan and the upper peninsula. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to—and what’s coming next.

During this year’s Mackinac Island Policy Conference, Up North Advocacy joined more than 100 fellow advocates and community members on Mackinac Island to express concerns about the proposed Line 5 tunnel project. The demonstration took place just steps away from the conference—an event sponsored in part by Enbridge, the multi-national company behind the Line 5 pipeline.

Alongside partners from Oil and Water Don’t Mix, we walked down Main Street to raise awareness about the risks posed by aging fossil fuel infrastructure beneath the Straits of Mackinac. Following the march, we held a joint press conference on the shore.  At the press conference, our Director, Kalvin Carter, shared this perspective:

“I’m tired of seeing my neighbors played against one another by a foreign, multi-national oil company that’s trying to squeeze every last cent out of a dying industry… Line 5 is NOT some kind of miracle lifeline we depend on to keep us all warm in the winter.  We are NOT dependent on Line 5. What we are dependent on is clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment.”

Read more here.

Also during the Mackinac Island Policy Conference, Up North Advocacy was proud to help host a special visit to Mackinac Island Public School, alongside our friends and partners at the Michigan Education Justice Coalition.

While Mackinac island might feel like a world away, the challenges faced by its school are all too familiar: aging buildings, stretched-thin resources, and funding that just doesn’t match the needs. These aren’t isolated issues—they echo across rural and under-resourced schools throughout Michigan.

We were honored to be joined by State Representatives Regina Weiss and Natalie Price, who took time to listen, learn, and help amplify the call for fair and equitable school funding. Every student in Michigan—no matter their zip code—deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe, well-supported environment.

Special thanks to Principal/Superintendent Kally Lipovsky and all the faculty and students at Mackinac Island School for sharing their amazing facility with us!

You can read more about it here.

After the powerful experience of our first cohort of the Men’s Circle in Sault Ste. Marie, we’re excited to share that we’ve just launched Cohort Two—welcoming new faces into this growing brotherhood.

These circles offer something different: a safe, supportive environment where men can show up as they are, speak honestly, and listen deeply. They help participants reconnect—with themselves, with one another, and with a greater sense of purpose.   The change we want to see in this world starts within each of us, and we are so proud of these men for stepping up to make a difference - both in themselves and in their communities.

Know someone who might benefit from this kind of space? Maybe it’s you. We’d love to connect.

You can read more about our Men’s Circles here.

On May 1st, Up North Advocacy made the trip to Lansing to stand up for something we should all believe in: strong, well-funded public schools. Alongside our partners from the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, we spent the day connecting with lawmakers and sharing why education justice matters—especially in rural communities like ours in Northern Michigan.

We were grateful to meet with the offices of State Representatives Greg Markkanen and Cam Cavitt, and even had a chance hallway conversation with State Senator John Damoose—huge thanks to him for taking a few moments to listen. We especially appreciate Rep. Cavitt for honoring our meeting despite the day’s canceled legislative session.

Our group included three incredible youth advocates from the U.P., who helped speak to the real-life impact of school funding decisions. Together, we shared:

▪️ The goals of our Healthy Schools Initiative
▪️ How schools act as pillars of community support—like during this spring’s devastating ice storm
▪️ The importance of closing the dark store loophole
▪️ And the bigger picture: that every student in Michigan deserves adequate, equitable funding

It was a powerful day of connection and advocacy. Being at the Capitol with folks from all over the state reminded us that while the challenges are big, we’re not in this fight alone. Every voice matters—and when we speak up together, we’re harder to ignore.

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at the No Kings events on Sunday, June 14 to help spread the word about upcoming ballot initiatives and grow our movement in northern Michigan.

As a volunteer, you’ll help engage attendees, talk about the issues, and sign people up for Up North Advocacy (UNA) membership and the Up North Field Team — the frontline crew for making real change on the ground.

This is a great opportunity to connect with others and be part of something big as we gear up for potential ballot initiatives.

Ready to take action?
👉 Click here to join the Up North Field Team.

This whirlwind week wasn’t just about the events—it was about the people we met and the connections we strengthened along the way. Whether walking silently through the streets of Mackinac Island in peaceful protest, gathering in a small rural school to talk about big challenges, or welcoming new brothers into our Men’s Circles, we saw the power of showing up together.

Up North Advocacy is committed to growing this movement across Northern Michigan and the U.P.—but we can’t do it without you.

If you believe in this work—uplifting our neighbors, protecting the places we love, and organizing for a better future—please consider making a donation today. Every dollar helps fuel our efforts and strengthens the foundation we’re building together.

With gratitude,
The Up North Advocacy Team

Thank you for being part of this movement. Let’s keep pushing forward—together.

Up North Advocacy is a fiscally sponsored project of Forward Michigan, a 501c4 non-profit organization.