A federal court yesterday ruled that Resolution Copper, a joint venture owned by the
world’s two largest mining corporations, Rio Tinto and BHP, could join a federal lawsuit
alongside the United States government in its ongoing attempt to destroy Oak Flat, an
ancient Apache sacred site in Arizona. The court said that Apache Stronghold, by
seeking to protect Oak Flat, “is challenging a government action that would redound
specifically to the benefit of Resolution [Copper],” and that Resolution Copper must be
permitted to pursue its “private, profit-oriented” interest in the case.
The ruling comes just three years after Rio Tinto sparked international outrage by
deliberately destroying 46,000-year-old indigenous rock shelters at one of Australia’s
most significant cultural sites. In a scathing report, the Australian Parliament found that
“Rio knew the value of what they were destroying but blew it up anyway.”
Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr. of Apache Stronghold offered the following statement:
“The United States is required to be responsible and have a trust relationship
with us, the Native people of this land. Any disagreement between us would be
resolved between the United States and us, the Apaches. Where I am
disappointed is they bring in two foreign mining companies to battle us. What
that simply tells me is who is in control.
“We are in suit against the United States for their responsibilities with the
American people, Native people and the responsibilities that they are not living
up to. Resolution Copper does not care about us, they have destroyed the world,
people have suffered, land has been exploited regardless of its sacredness and
now the U.S. Government is siding against us with them.
“Now it’s official the United States Government has allowed two powerful foreign
mining companies to battle the oldest religion in North America (turtle island).
This is clearly seen as an invasion allowed by the United States; by using its
tactics to wipe its hands clean and have Rio Tinto and BHP come to the forefront
to destroy the oldest religion. What they fail to clearly understand is it is war
against evil.
“What this tells me is the United States and Congress, who are responsible to
control the resources of this country and the threat of over-capitalism and
colonization, want to enrich this foreign corporation who is aiming at this
country’s resources and ungoverned corporate greed. We call on all Americans to
join us to protect the land, water, and religion, against this foreign invasion.”
Apache Stronghold’s lawsuit is currently under consideration by a full panel of eleven
judges in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, with a decision
expected within months. (Watch this short video to learn more)
It amazes me that so much progress regarding our people can be wiped out with the stroke of a pen without a single thought about how this would affect the many including them in the future. In my opinion instead of making decisions about things like this that they never experienced or been they should be required to come and see firsthand before they make them, not rely on someone to tell them.
That’s why Pres. Biden has proposed tax on royalties paid by mining Corp. to the federal government and at the same time prevent exploration of area of northern NM.
A right to profit from destroying parts of the natural infrastructure!!! Wow I never thought that greed would be accepted in those terms!
We, the Sovereign Nation of the Chiricahua Apache, stand with Dr. Wendsler Nosie in solidarity. Too many times have non-Native people taken and destroyed what we hold sacred. According to the Treaty of 1852 ratified by the U.S. Congress, the lands were to be protected and set aside for the exclusive use of the Chiricahua Apache People.