San Carlos Apache Leader: ‘What Was a Struggle to Protect Our Most Sacred Site Is Now a Battle’
Source: Indian Country Today
Washington lawmakers may think their passage of a bill giving the San Carlos Apache Tribes sacred land to a giant international mining company is a done deal, but they may have to think again.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe is organizing an all-out campaign to stop the transfer of Oak Flat, its 2,400-acre sacred ceremonial and burial site since time immemorial, to Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of the giant global mining corporation Rio Tinto. San Carlos wants to protect the land and water from the almost certain devastation of Resolutions proposed massive underground copper mine, and preserve its natural state. San Carlos Chairman Terry Rambler told ICTMN.
Were not giving up on our sacred land, Rambler said. A law can be passed but a law can also be repealed or revised or amended. What was a struggle to protect our most sacred site is now a battle.
The land has been home to Indigenous Peoples since pre-historic times, according to the Forest Service. A twenty-year struggle with the U.S. Army ensued (approximately 1866-1886), resulting in the removal of both the Apache and Yavapai to reservations at San Carlos and Fort Apache. Today the White Mountain and San Carlos Apache reservations border the forest on the east with the Tonto Apache Reservation located inside the forest at Payson, and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation situated along the southwest edge. The Apache in particular still use the forest for gathering wild plants and other traditional practices.
Read more: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/01/27/san-carlos-apache-leader-what-was-struggle-protect-our-most-sacred-site-now-battle-158878
another_liberal
(8,821 posts)An example of Life imitating Art?
Lets make sure the good guys win this one too.
lark
(23,003 posts)smashing all religions other than tealiban christian and stealing from the poor and working class folks. Ain't the 1% grand?
another_liberal
(8,821 posts)What group of people has lost more and currently has less than Native Americans such as the Apache? None I can think of.
Yet these greedheads just have to turn one miraculously surviving sacred place of theirs into nothing but a blighted, wasted strip mine? If this happens, we are a far sicker nation than I thought.
lark
(23,003 posts)Democracy is dying and on life support here with Repugs trying to pull the cord.
Omaha Steve
(99,071 posts)BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)My blood is boiling and thinking of unspeakable things....
Stonepounder
(4,033 posts)Has a change come about Uncle Sam
Or are you still taking our lands
A treaty forever George Washington signed
He did dear lady, he did dear man
And the treaty's being broken by Kinzua Dam
And what will you do for these ones
Oh, it's all in the past you can say
But it's still going on here today
The government now want the Iroquois land
That of the Senaca and the Cheyenne
It's here and it's now you can help us dear man
Now that the buffalo's gone.
-Buffy Sainte-Marie - Now That The Buffalo's Gone
asiliveandbreathe
(8,203 posts)who, (Renzi), was convicted and, A federal appeals-court panel upheld the conviction of former Arizona U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi on fraud and other charges related to land and insurance transactions - have been at this deal for years...
This land swap - should never happen...the area and land is stunning...Resolute has a bad reputation here (AZ) and globally wreaking havoc on Indigenous People..because - they don't have any power like lobbyists....
I agree - this is a battle now....
panader0
(25,816 posts)The San Carlos Rez is beautiful.
littlemissmartypants
(22,418 posts)niyad
(112,434 posts)Midnight Writer
(21,547 posts)Follow the money. Who in power profits from this. There is absolutely no reason other than corruption for the US to allow a foreign company to take land and property rights away from American citizens.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,154 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)With Democrats like this in Congress, who needs Republicans?
[center]
Arizona Democratic representative Ann Kirkpatrick[/center]
Resolution Copper is owned by the Anglo-Australian company, Rio Tinto, according to this Wikipedia entry.
More:Project status[edit]
The project is currently stalled pending a proposed land swap with the federal government.[5] Resolution Copper has proposed to give the federal government 4,500 acres (18 km2) of environmentally sensitive land in Arizona in exchange for the 3,000-acre (12 km2) proposed mine site, which includes the popular Oak Flat Campground, a protected area since 1955.[6]
In May 2009, Arizona Democratic representative Ann Kirkpatrick introduced legislation in Congress to complete the land swap. The swap already has the support of Arizona's two Republican senators.[7] The swap also has considerable opposition and may have cost Ann Kirkpatrick her congressional seat in her 2010 loss to Paul Gosar; however, she regained the seat in 2012 and won again in 2014.[8][9][10]
The proposed land swap was readdressed during the 113th United States Congress when Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R, AZ-4) introduced the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013 (H.R. 687; 113th Congress).[11] The bill provided that the Apache Leap Cliffs, which rise prominently just east of the town of Superior, remain in federal ownership, and directed the Secretary of the Interior to manage Apache Leap so as to preserve its natural character. The bill required Resolution Copper to surrender to the federal government any mining rights it has over the Apache Leap cliffs, in addition to deeding to the government 110 acres of private land in the area of cliffs.[12]
In December 2014, the United States Congress passed, and President Obama signed, the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which included the provisions of the stalled Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act. The Act cleared the way for the land swap in which Resolution would receive 2,422 acres of National Forest land in exchange for deeding to the federal government 5,344 acres of private land.[13] The mine would destroy an area set aside in 1955 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower that is sacred to the San Carlos Apache. Both the Oak Flat Campground, an area dotted with petroglyphs and historic and prehistoric sites, and the steep cliffs at Apache Leap would be affected.[14]
Native American and environmental groups respond[edit]
The San Carlos Apache Tribe, along with the National Audubon Society in Tucson and the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club in Arizona as well as the National Congress of American Indians have joined in the fight to the Resolution Copper land swap.[14] Native American groups and conservationists worry about the impact to surrounding areas and have led a strong opposition to the land exchange.[15] James Anaya, former United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, said that without community and tribal support, Rio Tinto should abandon its Resolution Copper mining project.[16] United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said she was "profoundly disappointed with the Resolution Copper land-swap provision, which has no regard for lands considered sacred by nearby Indian tribes".[17]
By January 2015, 104,646 people had signed the petition, "We the People|Stop Apache Land Grab". Jodi Gillette, Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs, quickly gave an official White House response, vowing that the Obama Administration will work with Resolution Copper's parent company Rio Tinto to determine how to work with the tribes to preserve their sacred areas.[18]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolution_Copper
[center]~ ~ ~[/center]
If ONLY good could triumph in just this case, this time, to stop this hideous betrayal of descendants of survivors of the genocide which murdered so many millions of souls, before stealing their land, their homes, their children's future, and their lives.
Thank you, peoli, for providing real information which clearly was being swept under the carpet, kept secret from everyone but the victims. It's nothing for this government to be proud of, of course.
peoli
(3,111 posts)I was looking at Paul Gosar's facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/repgosar
and down a ways he posted this:
Congress approves colossal Ariz. copper mine
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2014/12/12/congress-clears-arizona-copper-mine/20327087/?fb_action_ids=%5B%27765577646850489%27%5D&fb_action_types=%5B%27og.comments%27%5D
Someone then posted this:
Rep. Paul Gosar Calls Native Americans 'Wards Of The Federal Government'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/10/paul-gosar-native-americans_n_6305738.html
Pretty nauseating. Thanks for all the info you posted.
Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)Rio Tinto: A Shameful History of Human and Labour Rights Abuses And Environmental Degradation Around the Globe
By Richard on 20 April, 2010
Introduction
Mining giant Rio Tinto promotes itself as a responsible and ethical employer and good neighbour, as well as a protector of the environment. According to The Way We Work, the companys global code of business conduct, Rio Tintos focus on sustainable development on economic prosperity, social wellbeing, environmental stewardship and strong governance and integrity systems provides the framework in which our business operates
(1)
Rio Tinto maintains that respect is central to a harmonious workplace, where the rights of employees are upheld and where their dignity is affirmed, free of intimidation, discrimination or coercion of any kind.(2) With regard to human rights, the company professes to
set out to build enduring relationships with our neighbours that demonstrate mutual respect, active partnership, and long term commitment.(3) Finally, with regard to the environment, the company proclaims that excellence in environmental performance and product stewardship is essential to our business success
Wherever possible we prevent, or else minimise, reduce and remedy the disturbance of the environment. (4)
It sounds good. But the reality is that Rio Tintos current operations are more in line with their past apparent collusion with fascist and racist regimes than their stated policies of respect for communities, workers and the environment. Despite the companys claims, there are countless examples of alleged human and labour rights violations and environmental devastation perpetrated by Rio Tinto around the world and over decades. From Papua New Guinea to Namibia, from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the U.S. to Madagascar, and from Cameroon to Indonesia, Rio Tinto has a long and shameful record. We set out below summaries of some of the previous and ongoing allegations against Rio Tinto, gathered from information in the public domain. Please follow the links for further details of these allegations.
A Record of Consorting with Repressive Regimes
In 1930s Spain, under the rule of fascist General Francisco Franco, left-wing miners who had expressed discontent with Rio Tintos mines by striking were called to order by Francos troops. At the companys 1937 annual general meeting, Sir Auckland Geddes reported since the mining region was occupied by General Francos forces, there have been no further labour problems
Miners found guilty of troublemaking are court-martialed and shot.(5) Under Francos influence, Rio Tinto also provided ore for Nazi Germanys re-armament programme.(6)
More:
http://londonminingnetwork.org/2010/04/rio-tinto-a-shameful-history-of-human-and-labour-rights-abuses-and-environmental-degradation-around-the-globe/
Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)As is the case at many of its operations around the globe, Rio Tinto also is facing opposition to projects it would like to get up and running. For example, in the U.S. state of Arizona, the company is pursuing a land swap with the U.S. government which will allow it to develop a copper mine on what is now federal land. However, the land deal is being stalled in the U.S. Congress based largely on concerns about Rio Tintos horrendous human rights record.(69)
In the Bristol Bay area of Alaska, there is heavy opposition to the development of the Pebble Open Pit Gold and Copper Mine in which Rio Tinto is a minority partner. The project would include what would reportedly be the largest dam in the world, which would be used to contain toxic waste produced in the mining operation. Native groups, commercial and sport fishermen and environmental groups are concerned about the threats the mine poses to salmon fisheries, moose, bear, caribou and other animals, and to the ecosystem as a whole.(70)
In March 2010, the Colombian Constitutional Court ordered a halt to the countrys largest copper mining project, Muriel Minings Mandé Norte project, citing lack of proper consultation with local Indigenous and Afrocolombian communities over the mines potential environmental and cultural impact. Adequate action was not taken to ensure the communities were aware of the nature of the Mandé Norte project and subsequently able to make a decision with full awareness and understanding, the court said in a ruling. Because Muriels project will inevitably alter the areas ecological balance, the company must comply with its obligation to consult with the communities that inhabit that region and that will be affected by the mining activity, the judges said.(71) Rio Tinto reportedly has a partnership stake in the project.(72)
http://londonminingnetwork.org/2010/04/rio-tinto-a-shameful-history-of-human-and-labour-rights-abuses-and-environmental-degradation-around-the-globe/
Panich52
(5,829 posts)Haven't we disrespected Natives' rights and cultural heritage enough? If a Christian sacred area was threatened w/ such herasy ... well, it simply wouldn't happen, would it?