Ms. Kirkpatrick said Arizona’s Superior and Copper corridor has more than a century of mining and will provide more jobs and economic stability. She and representatives of Resolution Copper say the mining project will provide between 3,500 – 4,000 jobs, generate more than a $1 billion a year over the next 60 years and fulfill 25 percent of America’s copper demand. She said Congress will conduct an environmental study before the land transfer. In addition, she said, tribes will have access to Oak Flat campground and 807 acres around the Apache Leap Cliffs have been designated a special management area which will be put under the authority of the U.S. Forestry Service to protect the cliffs and ensure that they aren’t damaged by the mine.
Apache leader Nosie and Phoenix, Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego and colleague Rep. Raul Grijalva challenged the claim that process was transparent, especially since no tribal council member or rank-and-file Native American individuals and organizations were consulted. Rep. Gallego is a co-sponsor of a bill introduced by Rep. Grijalva to repeal the section of the National Defense Authorization Act dealing with the land swap. Forty members of Congress have signed onto the bill but passage in the House of Representatives is unclear.
“The problem with the Resolution Copper deal was that it was put through a process that was not open and transparent,” Rep. Gallego said. “This deal was made over profits. It happened in the middle of the night … they couldn’t do it in the light. They stepped all over (Native Americans’) basic rights, stepped on their sovereignty, ignored sacred sites. The same way we protect synagogues and mosques, we should protect the sacred sites of Native Americans. It’s been a long fight but your conviction means we’ll win this fight.”
Naelin Pike, a 16-year-old activist and Councilmember Nosie’s granddaughter, energized an already fired up crowd.
“We stand here because something’s not right,” said the teenager. “We’re here to open the eyes of the people and bring the spirit back. These corporations are trying to destroy Mother Earth. We have to fight for our mother. I’ve learned how prayers can come together for change.”
“We stand up for all people. We’re all one, we have the same blood, we all eat and sleep. I’m no longer afraid of standing up for who I am. We are planting that seed for the future, for those yet unborn. We are the youth who have to resist. We’re not going to make this materialist, man-made (city and corporations) destroy us. We all have rights to fight for,” she said.
Article Appeared @http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_102510.shtml