Traditionally Speaking
Article and photo by Sandra Rambler
Censored News
A
big round of applause goes out to the Superior Council for recently
voting NO to the Oak Flat land exchange in H.R. 687. I am so glad that
Superior is not being used as a pawn to get this bill passed in
Washington, D.C. These leaders should always remember that they
represent the people of Superior and this is more than a money making
deal and that Superior is not bartering land that is not only sacred to
the Apaches, Yavapais and other Native American Indians in the region,
but land that is valuable to the people well beyond Superior’s city
limits.
Superior
needs to look are more sustainable ways for economic development and
that depending on a single source of industry like copper mining is a
thing of the past. We all know what it does to our health and many
residents of Superior have paid for the price of mining with their
lives.
There
is potential for joint partnership including the San Carlos Apache
Tribe who just announced they will be opening their second casino with
over 300 jobs in the local area. Eco-tourism is on the rise and the
benefits from it are real and contributes to their economy but they
never acknowledge the benefits. Now is the time for Superior to think
about the long term effects of Resolution Copper’s project at Chi’chill
Ba’go’teel (Oak Flat).
We
all know water is important in Arizona and in order to develop their
project, Resolution Copper needs millions of gallons of water for their
project to be realized. Who will they get water from? No one has water
but the San Carlos Apache Tribe and other tribes in Arizona. We
definitely don’t want our water to be contaminated from the chemicals
and waste from the mine because more lives of our Apache people will be
gone. We can certainly make a difference and stand up to them and tell
them one word, “NO!”
In
this day and age, advanced technology can provide us information that
would be critical to the decision makers of this project including
effects on environmental, ecological, cultural, archaeological and
social and economic impacts.
We
will know this information only if NEPA is completed prior to any land
exchange. These laws were made to inform and educate the public and
decision makers about any given project on public land so that decision
makers can make the most informed decision.
Resolution
Cooper should not be allowed to circumvent this process altogether
through a bill that was created and written specifically by them!
There
is an established federal process that protects public lands for public
use and why should Resolution Copper, who deals directly with Iran and
mostly owned by China, be allowed to bypass laws created by our federal forefathers?
Our
fight for our land, our water and our religious beliefs continue today.
The Apaches were the last tribe to surrender to the United States
government and just like our ancestors--we shall remain stronger than
ever! Ahi’yihe to Chairman Terry Rambler for his testimony and Peridot
District Councilman, Wendsler Nosie, Sr., the San Carlos Apache Tribal
Council and all the tribal leaders that attended the recent hearing in
Washington, D.C. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall!
Photo by Sandra Rambler
Photo by Sandra Rambler
On
March 23, Brianna Hopper dances with her God-mother, Tabitha Sneezy, at
the Bylas ceremonial grounds within the San Carlos Apache Indian Nation in the Bylas District during Brianna's coming-of-age
traditional ceremony. Brianna is the daughter of Carolyn Williams
Hopper (San Carlos Apache/Hopi) and Marlin Hopper (White Mountain
Apache).
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