Carter Camp: Defending Bear Butte in 2006

Bear Butte: Carter Camp and the opposition to a biker bar in 2006. AP photo.

Publisher's note: Carter Camp sent this for publication in 2006, as censorship in Indian country media increased. It is republished today, 15 years later, to preserve Carter's words for history, and out of respect for his work, those who led the struggle beside him, and his family and friends. -- Brenda, Censored News

By Carter Camp, Ponca
June 14, 2006

Ah-ho My Relations,

Again many things have happened since I last wrote an update on our fight to defend our sacred mountain. The beginning of our gathering is only a few weeks away, and the local county government continues to license and permit booze and concert venues all around Bear Butte. In that respect nothing has changed, we still must come together this summer to stand in solidarity, united in our determination to defend Bear Butte. On a personal level I suffered a mild heart problem which hospitalized me for a while and has restricted my activities somewhat. I'm better now and the good thing is that Debra White Plume, Natalie Hand and Vic Camp have carried on in notifying people and societies of our efforts.

Rescue Crew Arrives: Shoshone Paiute walk and run to Thacker Pass: Day 3 Photos by Bad Bear

 

Rescue Crew Arrives: Shoshone Paiute walk and run to Thacker Pass: Day 3 Photos by Bad Bear

Photos by Western Shoshone Photojournalist Carl Bad Bear Sampson

Censored News

March 15, 2021

The Shoshone Paiute led walk and run to Thatcher Pass is in its third day today. The support van broke down and support arrived with the needed vehicle parts. Runners and walkers continued on this journey in the snowfall, 273 miles from Yomba Shoshone to Thatcher Pass, protecting sacred land and water from a planned massive open-pit lithium mine by Canadian company Lithium Nevada.

Yomba Shoshone to Thacker Pass: 99 Miles to Battle Mountain: Day 2 Photos by Bad Bear

Walk and Run to Thacker Pass
Photos by Western Shoshone Carl Bad Bear Sampson
Day 2: Yomba Shoshone to Thacker Pass Protection Camp
The support van has broken down 99 miles from Battle Mountain. Walkers and runners are there waiting on van parts on Sunday night.
Walking and running for sacred land and humanity, Bad Bear said, "Each step is a prayer."

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Read more: Thacker Pass Protection Camp protecting ancestral land from Canadian company Lithium Nevada, which plans an open-pit lithium mine.

https://www.protectthackerpass.org/

Video: Bad Bear "Each Step is a Prayer"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOmOGreisj8

Article by Brenda Norrell

Censored News

Lithium mining is now a global crisis for Indigenous Peoples. As the Shoshone Paiute led walk and run continues to Thacker pass, Nevada, for protection of the land -- the role of lithium mining, in the UK and US CIA backed coup in Bolivia against Evo Morales,  is exposed.

Already lawsuits have been filed against U.S. companies for the deaths of child workers in the Congo, dying in the cobalt mines. Cobalt is used in the lithium batteries for electric cars, tablets and cellphones.

Read more from Bolivia: UK and US backed coup in Bolivia sought 'white gold' lithium:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-08-revealed-the-uk-supported-the-coup-in-bolivia-to-gain-access-to-its-white-gold/

The Trump administration degraded environmental laws to push through the Thacker Pass lithium mine, and turn over  ancestral land, known as Bureau of Land Management, BLM, land, to a Canadian company, Lithium Nevada.

Read more on the seizure of ancestral land in Nevada:

https://www.hcn.org/issues/53.3/indigenous-affairs-mining-nevada-lithium-mine-kicks-off-a-new-era-of-western-extraction

Photos copyright Carl Sampson, Censored News

Running and walking for the land and water -- Day 1 photos to Thacker Pass by Bad Bear

 

Photos by Western Shoshone Carl Bad Bear Sampson 

Bad Bear said their van broke down 99 miles from Battle Mountain. His dad is getting the part, but walkers and runners will be there until the support van is running again.  Sunday, March 14, 2021.

Photos by Western Shoshone Photojournalist Carl Bad Bear Sampson.

Running and walking for the land and water -- Day 1 photos to Thacker Pass by Bad Bear

Day 1, March 13, 2021: Walkers and runners departed from Yomba Shoshone on their 273 mile journey to Thacker Pass this morning. Canadian company Lithium Nevada plans a lithium mine, destructive to the land and water in this pristine region. Today, Saturday evening, walkers and runners made it to 20 miles before Austin, Nevada. Join them on Sunday morning as they begin again. The stay places will be Austin and Battle Mountain, Nevada.