Indigenous Women's Delegation in Switzerland Photos -- Camp Zürich Divest Credit Suisse

Camp Zürich Divest Credit SuisseWECAN International Delegation
Photos by Sara Juanita Jumping Eagle, Dakota, and Michelle Cook, Dine'

Monique Michelle Verdin, Houma Councilwoman, on right, demanding

an end to financing of fossil fuels. Verdin is battling the Bayou Bridge 

Pipeline on the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Michelle Cook on left.

Sara Juanita Jumping Eagle, Dakota, and
Waste Win Young, both of Standing Rock, (with friend in center)
battling the Dakota Access Pipeline, its owner, Energy
Transfer Partners, and those who finance and invest in
dirty fuels.

"Indigenous Women’s Delegation - holding Suisse and German financial institutions accountable for their investments in unethical corporations and projects such as Energy Transfer Partners, Dakota Access Pipeline, Bayou Bridge Pipeline, Transmountain pipeline expansion project, and Kinder Morgan." Sara Juanita Jumping Eagle.

Waste Win Young, Dakota of Standing Rock, said, "Zürich and Bern today. Had an action in front of CreditSuisse with Greenpeace. We met with the ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry of labor and economics in Bern. Swiss financial institutions are investing millions of dollars in fossil fuel projects worldwide with companies who are committing indigenous and human rights abuses. Their quality of life comes at the expense of our communities and our sacred places."

"Warrior women demand accountability from Credit Suisse
 for Indigenous Human Rights violations!" -- Michelle Cook

Swiss banks lead dirty fuel financing in Europe

Greenpeace Switzerland published a new report today that revealed that, per capita, Swiss banks provide more funding for fossil fuel companies than any other European country. Read more:
https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/16141/indigenous-people-and-swiss-pensioners-challenge-switzerlands-biggest-banks-on-oil-pipeline-funding/

WECAN Spring 2018 Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegates comprise both frontline community leaders, and tribal officials who serve or have served in official capacities for their Tribal Nations, including - Charlene Aleck (Elected councillor for Tsleil Waututh Nation, Sacred Trust Initiative, Canada); Dr. Sara Jumping Eagle (Oglala Lakota and Mdewakantonwan Dakota pediatrician, living and working on the Standing Rock Reservation, North Dakota); Michelle Cook (Diné/Navajo, human rights lawyer); Wasté Win Yellowlodge Young (Ihunktowanna/Hunkpapa of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer); and Monique Verdin (Member of south Louisiana’s United Houma Nation Tribal Council and the Another Gulf Is Possible Collaborative) - with Osprey Orielle Lake (WECAN International Executive Director and Delegation organizer).

CONTACT:
Emily Arasim (general inquiries) – emily@wecaninternational.org, +1(505)920-0153
Michelle Cook (general inquiries) - divestinvestprotect@gmail.com
Osprey Orielle Lake (urgent inquiries in Europe) – osprey@wecaninternational.org, +1(415)722-2104

Read more about the delegation:
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/04/indigenous-womens-delegation-to-europe.html

Mohawk Nation News 'Great White Auntie Calls in her Chips'

GREAT WHITE AUNTIE CALLS IN HER CHIPS

Posted on April 28, 2018

Mohawk Nation News

MMN. Apr. 28, 2018. “Gurls, time to come and help your auntie so I can keep on being good to you”, coos Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indian Affairs. The Gurl “Me-Me-Me” Chiefs are being called in for a pep talk by auntie and her cronies about “Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous [Foreign Corporation] Rights”, otherwise called “My way or the highway to the final solution of the Indian problem” [Duncan Campbell Scott]. It’s on April 30, 2018, one day before the Assembly of First Nations AFN, also known as the Assembly of Monkey Business, meets on May 1-2 at the casino in Gatineau-Hull-Ottawa. Auntie Carolyn says, “No, gurls, we’re not taking any chances on what could be your last ride!”

Read article at Mohawk Nation News:

http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2018/04/28/great-white-auntie-calls-in-her-chips/

Mohawk Nation News 'AFN 'Hit and Run' Killers!'

AFN “HIT AND RUN” KILLERS!

Posted on April 27, 2018

Please post & distribute. 

MNN. APRIL 26, 2018. The illegal government of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, band and tribal councils, national, provincial and territorial organizations get their kicks from the sadistic pleasure they enjoy by mistreating us.  They rubber stamp the government’s hit and run atrocities and then they think they can continue to enjoy the destruction of our people.  

Read article http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2018/04/27/afn-hit-and-run-killers/

Dineh from Burnham testifies on toxic coal ash in Washington

The Pruitt administration’s assault on our lands will be met with legal ramifications and resistance. -- Dailan Long

Testimony of Dailan Long,

Dineh, Burnham, Navajo Nation

Censored News

Hello, my name is Dailan Long and I represent my Navajo tribal community of Burnham, New Mexico in the four corners region of New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation.  I serve on the Board of Directors for Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment and I’m here to state my deep opposition to USEPA proposal to weaken the 2015 coal ash rules:

Firstly, I vehemently oppose EPA’s proposal to reverse the 2015 oversight and compliance measures of coal ash oversight and management.  I speak to this subject as my community currently bears the brunt of toxic coal ash, waste disposal, air pollution, water contamination, and health impacts as a result of the massive coal-extractive industry complex.  As a tribal citizen, I reside along the Chaco River watershed and its tributaries, which are directly affected by the Four Corners Power Plant and adjacent coal ash waste sites located immediately east of Chaco River. These coal ash combustion waste sites are large powdery manmade mounds with discharge leakages flowing into the Chaco River watershed, contaminating our local waterbodies and directly violate traditional Navajo life ways of subsistence. I raise sheep for subsistence, however, this traditional practice amongst myself and other tribal communities are threatened by the contamination of our water resources as a result of coal ash. I must travel 15 miles west of my home to haul water for my livestock as it is common knowledge for tribal residents that we cannot allow our livestock to graze in open-range for fear that animals will consume contaminated toxic water.  New Mexico, and especially, tribal communities are under severe drought advisories and water is scarce, causing us to haul water to maintain traditional Native subsistence and livelihood. There are still many homes within my community without running water. By weakening the 2015 rule, EPA increases the vulnerability of our already limited water resources to further pollution.
Secondly, EPA violates the spirit of “tribal consultation” and reverses the 2015 rule within a 45-day comment period, which undermines the federal government’s fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight over federal process that directly impact tribal communities.   I reside in a region comprised of traditional Navajo individuals whom are Navajo-speaking, some of whom, sacrificed their lives by using our language to defend this country in WWII. EPA ignores these voices by limiting public commenting period for tribal citizens, including our veterans, whom are directly impacted by these proposals. EPA must consider the state and tribal jurisdiction overlap the areas where these coal ash sites exist. EPA puts forth the notion that the state will determine the rules and regulations of tribal lands, which violates the government-to-government tribal consultation that must be completed given the enormity of the proposals implications. Tribal residents experience an ongoing violation of human rights and environmental degradation as a result of pro-industry manipulation of EPA.  It’s clear that EPA’s proposal favors the very weak and manipulative power paradigm that exist in New Mexico and only favors the industry to seek leeways into further pollution and leaving vulnerable tribal populations to bear the brunt of toxic coal ash disposal. At a minimum, EPA must extend its 45-day comment period for proper public participation.
Lastly, EPA does not consider the external costs associated with weakening some of the minimal requirements in the 2015 rule; one of which, is the crippling costs of public health and its impact to a struggling to a tribal economy.  I speak as a Medicaid Service Provider to both tribal and non-tribal medicaid recipients and provide services to vulnerable and high-risks clients. I observe high respiratory illnesses and asthma conditions especially in middle-aged to elderly individuals in our community; many of whom depend on Indian Health Services for medical treatment and long-term care.  The Navajo Nation and State of New Mexico face significant decreases in Medicaid services and Indian Health Services overwhelmingly burdens the cost of treating the very individuals directly affected by coal industry practices such as the contamination of our water supplies, discharge and airborne pollutants. The tribe already burdens the health disparities by trying to provide for medical and long-term needs of its constituents; however, by weakening the 2015 rule, the tribe must also shoulder the toxic waste pits and financial responsibilities for cleanup and land restoration.

Again, I speak from my experience working directly with medicaid recipients and as a tribal resident from a community overburdened by toxic pollution.  The 2015 coal ash rule is currently protects hundreds of American communities despite some weaknesses, however, incrementally sets commonsense standards that protect clean water and safeguard public health.  EPA must reject the notion that industry interest supersedes federal responsibility to consult with indigenous nations and tribes. EPA must also acknowledge the persistence of indigenous populations and that the Pruitt administration’s assault on our lands will be met with legal ramifications and resistance.