CENSORED NEWS

November 7, 2015

Native Americans respond to Obama rejecting Keystone XL pipeline

Tribal, Grassroots, & Treaty Leaders Respond to President Obama Rejecting Keystone XL Pipeline

By Indigenous Environmental Network

WASHINGTON – President Obama has rejected the Keystone XL cross-border application filed by TransCanada to the U.S. State Department. This is a huge victory for the Tribal Nations and communities along its proposed route that have been fighting this dirty tar sands project for the past seven years. This rejection is a sincere affirmation of the struggle to protect the sacredness of Mother Earth and her life blood, the water. The following are response statements by Tribal, grassroots and treaty leaders to President Obama’s rejection of Keystone XL cross-border permit application:

Dallas Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network KXL Campaign Organizer, “This is a tremendous victory for all the pipeline fighters who have spent several years fighting the TransCanada “black snake”, Keystone XL! The President’s decision is a clear affirmation of our struggle to defend the sacredness of Mother Earth and to protect the future generations of all our relatives, human and non-human alike. We celebrate this as a win and a powerful step to the greater goals of keeping fossil fuels in the ground and shutting down the tar sands at the source!”

Harold Frazier, Chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, “On behalf of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe we are grateful to President Obama for rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline and give thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. We must continue to fight this war against tar sands. We need to stay united with all our Native brothers and sisters here in Canada, and around the world to stop the pollution of our water so our young people can grow up to live good healthy lives.”

Lewis Grassrope, Chairman of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, “In the greatest effort of all indigenous people’s to stop the kxl pipeline our prayers were heard. As its a great day for all as our connections spiritually were answered. Thank you to all for the perseverance, fortitude, humility, and courageous acts to stop this black snake from coming onto our lands. One giant step for our children’s future. A great victory today for all indigenous peoples.”.

David Archambault Jr., Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, “The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe applauds President Obama’s decision to deny the permit to the KXL pipeline project. After several years of vigorous debate by many parties, the president resolved the issue by focusing on the big picture. President Obama’s decision is consistent with Tribal values that respect the environment and honor our roles as guardians of our children’s’ futures.”

A. Gay Kingman, Executive Director of Great Plains Tribal Chairmans Association, “Wopila President Obama for rejecting the Keystone XL. Wopila to all our Relatives who stood strong to oppose the KXL, But, keep the coalitions together because there are more Pipelines proposed and we must protect our Mother Earth for our Future Generations.

Paula Antoine, Chairwoman of Rosebud NO KXL Spirit Camp, Oyate Wahacanka Woecun (Shielding the People), “We, along with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, are extremely honored by President Obama’s decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline. We have stood united with all those who protect Unci Maka. Our children’s grandchildren will benefit and remember this day as a victory! We affirm our rights as the original caretakers and stewards of the land, resources and oyate. We remain, in solidarity shielding the People. One heart ~ one mind ~ one prayer.”

Faith Spotted Eagle, Ihanktowan Treaty Council Spokesperson, “This is what unity, hard work and breaking down barriers looks like….all for protecting sacred water and land for the generations. Today we stand in thankfulness for Obama, adopted son of the Crow Nation. We stood united in this struggle, Democrat, Republican, Native, Cowboy, Rancher, landowners, urban warriors, grandmas and grandpas, children….. and through this fight against KXL we have come to see each other in a new better, stronger way!”

Frank Waln, Sicangu Lakota, Music Producer and Artist, “For those of us whose homes were on the frontlines of this proposed pipeline, this is a huge step forward. Our efforts to resist all forms of colonization, including natural energy extraction on Indigenous lands are not in vain. I commend all my relatives who have dedicated their time, energy and lives to stopping this pipeline, when society and the government told us otherwise. Indigenous nations are rising. This is only the beginning!”

Aldo Seoane, Wica Agli, “We are excited by the president’s decision to reject Keystone XL. The project not only would have put the environment in harms way but it would have also put the women and children along the pipeline route at a higher risk of domestic and sexual violence. We are encouraged by the president’s choice of people and the environment over politics and big oil.”

Joye Braun, Community Organizer Cheyenne River Sioux reservation, “Today marks a historic day for the people of the Oceti Sakowin, and our allies. I say thank you to President Obama, and Secretary Kerry for seeing the truth behind the Keystone XL pipeline and rejecting the black snake. We must stay vigilant against tar sands and continue our support to our First Nation cousins in Canada who are on the frontline of this world disaster. We will continue to pray and support the fight against tar sands. ” Joye Braun

Press contacts: Dallas Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network, 708-515-6158, ienpipeline@igc.org
Harold Frazier, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, 605-964-4155
Lewis Grassrope, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, 605-208-0880
David Archambault Jr., Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, (701) 854-7560
A.Gay Kingman, Great Plains Tribal Chairmans Assoc., (605)-484-3036
Paula Antoine, Shielding the People No KXL Spirit Camp, (605) – 828-0740
Faith Spotted Eagle, Ihantonwan Treaty Council, (605)-481-0416
Frank Waln, franciswaln@gmail.com Aldo Seoane, Wica Agli, (605)-319-8151
Joye Braun, Cheyenne River Grassroots, jmbraun57625@gmail.com

November 6, 2015

Native Americans Defenders Surge: Oak Flat Lives as Keystone XL Dies

Native Americans Defenders Surge: Oak Flat Lives as Keystone XL Dies

By Brenda Norrell

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill into the Senate on Thursday to undo the assault on Apaches ceremonial grounds of Oak Flat. The assault was earlier spearheaded by Arizona Sen. John McCain, targeting this sacred land with a massive copper mine.

Today, Native Americans are celebrating further as President Obama rejects the Keystone XL pipeline.

With their backdoor deals, the wealthy in Congress and the oil and gas industry have placed the financial burden of defending Mother Earth on Native American grassroots land defenders, often with little means.

Wendsler Nosie, Sr., San Carlos Apache Tribe Councilman and Member of the Apache Stronghold, applauded the introduction of the Senate companion bill to repeal the Land Exchange that would turn Apache ceremonial land into a massive copper mine for Resolution Copper.

Nosie said, “The Senate introduction is welcome news to residents of Arizona, Indian country, the United States, and the world. The bill shines light on the deceit used to enact the Land Exchange. As true leaders of this Country, the people have invested their hopes, dreams, and spirit into honest and transparent decision making for the good of all people. We must not fear to undo a wrong to make it right. For when it comes to the future of our children, this shouldn’t be difficult to do.” (Read the full statement: http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/11/sen-bernie-sanders-introduces-save-oak.html

Now, following the long fight to protect their aquifer from the threat of the dirty tarsands Keystone XL pipeline, Lakotas are celebrating as President Obama just announced rejection of the tarsands pipeline from Canada.

Wioweya Najin Win, Debra White Plume, said, "Such great news! Wopila to all of Earth's Army. President Obama is standing in the way of something bad coming towards the people. He put his Moccasins on the Ground! Our ancestors are with us and we are all so thankful for the protection of Sacred water."

During the long pipeline battle, White Plume said, “The KXL proposed route you are considering would not only be insanely located over the Ogllala Aquifer, it would also recklessly cross many surface waters, including the Missouri River and the Cheyenne River. All of this is sacredwater, we say Mni Wicozani, through water there is life. Without water there is no life.”

Read the full statement from Owe Aku International Justice Project:

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/11/owe-aku-grassroots-activism-kills.html

Censored News new articles:

November (10)

OWE AKU: Grassroots Activism Kills Keystone XL Pipeline

President Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline
OWE AKU: Years of Grassroots Activism Kills Keystone XL Pipeline

Images from Moccasins on the Ground, Owe Aku's educational and nonviolent direct action training project that, along with allies across the continent, helped defeat one of the world's largest corporations and two national governments in order to protect Mni Wakan, Sacredwater.

By Owe Aku International Justice Project
When Wioweya Najin Win, Debra White Plume, who is currently living without media or internet access on the Pine Ridge, was told about the announcement, she stated:

"Such great news! Wopila to all of Earth's Army. President Obama is standing in the way of something bad coming towards the people. He put his MOCCASINS ON THE GROUND! Our ancestors are with us and we are all so thankful for the protection of Sacredwater."

VIVA!

THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, AND SECRETARY OF STATE JUST APPEARED ON NATIONAL TELEVISION TO REJECT THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE. THE PRESIDENT CITED THREE REASONS THAT LED HIM TO THE DECISION:
1. The pipeline would not make a meaningful long term addition to our economy; this is not a job creator;
2. The pipeline would not lower gas prices for american consumers;
3. The pipeline would ship dirty crude oil through this country without adding to our national energy security. The president implied that it would be hypocritical to approve the pipeline while making attempts to enhance clean energy solutions through sustainable policies.

Everyone recognizes that the current state of the american government is anything but stable and that a new right-wing, christian, republican government could reverse the decision. However, this is still A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY. Whoever comes now or in the future to challenge the security of the water we protect for future generations, will meet the same opposition that has defeated the pipeline today.

This is recent testimony by Wioweya Najin Win (Debra White Plume, Director of Owe Aku Bring Back the Way) before the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission explaining the Lakota world view that leads to the organized strategies we employ to defend Unci Maka and Mni Wakan:July 19, 2015

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

Wioweya Najin Win miye. My English name is Debra White Plume and my address is PO Box 325, Manderson, SD 57756. I am commenting on docket number HP12-001 regarding the TransCanada, Inc. KXL Tarsands Pipeline for the July 26, 2015 Public Comment in South Dakota.

The Lakota worldview and the American worldview about land and water are different, as is our worldview about time and space. The American worldview through its institutions and policies and laws and regulations say that elected officials and appointed officials have the final decision on what happens in our shared space. To clarify this, by the word "our" I am referring to the Lakota and the Americans, and the elected/appointed officials and the rest of us. In the Lakota worldview, everyone has a say, a collective decision is made by consensus. There is no hierarchy of one person being more important than another. All people are important and have a right to their say.

In my view, the space and distance between where I live and where TransCanada, Inc. wants to put its KXL tarsands pipeline is too close. Although the place where I lay my head to rest at night, where I rise each morning to live a life I am thankful for, and the pipeline route through Mission, SD or Murdo, SD or Lower Brule, SD or Faith, SD may be hundreds of miles, but to me, that route is just right there. This whole area is my home.

The KXL proposed route you are considering would not only be insanely located over the Ogllala Aquifer, it would also recklessly cross many surface waters, including the Missouri River and the Cheyenne River. All of this is sacredwater, we say Mni Wicozani, through water there is life. Without water there is no life.

I will share some personal history with you. I received my fourth Lakota name along the banks of the Cheyenne River, named by Grover Horned Antelope. My song was sung by John Around Him, at a ceremony led by Rocky Afraid of Hawk, witnessed by Celane Not Help Him and many highly esteemed Lakota elders. My children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren received their names on the river banks. My marriage 36 years ago was blessed there.

Babies are born along the river banks, marriages are blessed there, names are received there. Give-aways are held along the river banks. Healing ceremonies and thanksgiving ceremonies are held along the river banks. People die there, along the riverbanks. Tens of thousands of these ceremonies as well as the Keeping and Releasing of the Spirit ceremonies, Girl to Womanhood ceremonies, many other ceremonies have been and are held along the river banks for our Lakota Nation for tens of thousands of people, for tens of thousands of generations. Water is part of all Lakota ceremonies, we honor and respect water.

Our Lakota Nation has lost many relatives over the generations fighting for water and land. Ancestors have died along the river banks fighting off the American pilgrims and settlers, the railroad and mining corporations, and USA Military encroaching on our territories. Our ancestors lived a beautiful life along the river banks, fought along the river banks, died along the riverbanks, and won their battles along the riverbanks. America recognized and acknowledged that this water and this land is Lakota territory as evidenced by the 1851 Ft Laramie Treaty. America and its citizen government violate this Treaty, an international law, every time they want to make money.

While the world has Human Rights, the international community has recognized and acknowledged that as indigenous peoples the Lakota Nation needs extra protection, as do all indigenous peoples, against corporations and governments that do not respect laws nor moral and humane judgements, including Human Rights. Indigenous peoples are seen as expendable in the effort to desecrate lands and waters for personal and corporate profit so the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the United States, to provide guidance on respecting the Human Rights of all peoples. This action is also being violated and will be violated further by such government officials as yourselves if you approve the KXL tarsands pipeline.

America's citizen government violates its own laws, established to protect drinking water, to approve not only pipelines, but extractive industry like uranium mining and fracking. Individuals such as yourselves violate these laws and doctrines. You are not anonymous and must not try to hide behind your government titles. You live here and need this water as much as I do. South Dakota citizens and their organizations, all the Tribes in South Dakota, have said no to TransCanada's KXL tarsands pipeline. Now it is your turn to say no.

You are human beings who drink water, you cannot live without water. You, by some reason, have the authority this day to protect the sacredwater and all of life in this whole pathway across the big land, by deciding to say no to TransCanada, Inc. You can stop this destruction now before it begins, you can protect the lands and waters for those living now, and for the coming generations.

The KXL can contaminate the ground water and surface waters with not only its vile tarsands oil, but the many lethal and deadly chemicals mixed with it, needed to liquify it at constant temperature of 150 degrees. The intense pressure required to slurry it thousands of miles from its beginning in Canada to its end at Texas is a deadly force in itself, strong enough to cut a man in half if he is standing nearby when it ruptures or explodes. Common sense tells an intelligent person that the KXL tarsands pipeline is a black snake with deadly venom that must be kept away from our lodges and our environment. Would you make the decision to allow a rattlesnake to live in your living room or the bedrooms of your daughters and sons?

Do not let your decision be part of violating American and international and natural law by voting to approve the KXL tarsands pipeline. Do not open the door to this beautiful land and water to the black snake so it can enter our lodges. It will not care or discern that it is a Lakota standing there or a white man standing there. The white farmers and ranchers are just as much at risk as we Lakota are. Many have been violated through the government supported manipulation by TransCanada of eminent domain, their ranches and farms cut in half.

I urge each of you to be a real man, a real human being, and stand against this threat to our water and our families. Do not be a coward or a puppet of the corporation and government leaders who receive money from the corporation to do their bidding. Be part of creating the good history that generations to come will look back on, and be happy that their grandfathers and grandmothers stood in the way of something bad coming toward the people.

I urge you to see beyond the desire to be part of the backslapping good ole boy network of Fat Taker pleasing the appetite of insatiable greed. I urge you to see the good future of Lakota boys and girls, the good future of white rancher and farmer and city white boys and girls, whose future you hold in your hands. You know there are loopholes you can find to say no to TransCanada. I urge you to be brave and visionary and not only stand apart from, but stand against, Fat Taker.

Wioweya Najin Win, aka Debra White Plume
Owe Aku, Bring Back the Way
PO Box 325
Manderson, SD 57756
www.oweakuinternational.org

Yaqui water rights defender and leaders to speak in Tucson

Mario Luna, Vicam Yaqui water rights spokesman,

falsely imprisoned for one year in Sonora, Mexico, and recently released.

Vicam Yaqui Water Rights Forum, Sonora, Mexico

Photo by Brenda Norrell, Censored News

INDIGENOUS AND PROUD - YAQUI NASUAREOS (YAQUI WARRIORS)

UPDATE:

On Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, the Rio Yaqui Community Forum will be at the Pascua Yaqui Nation Tribal Chambers, 7474 S Camino de Oeste from 10 am to 6 pm. Mario will share his experience of his incarceration, kovanaos will share their concerns and how they are dealing with community issues. They will share the victory court case concerning the water issue.

Join us. Come and meet Mario Luna Romero and participate in the Yaqui community forum. Come and listen to the Kovanaos - support our Yaqui Relatives from Sonora, Mexico.

We need volunteers to help out. -- Jose Matus

By Jose Matus, Yaqui

Indigenous Alliance Without Borders

TUCSON, Arizona -- Mario Luna Romero and the Rio Yaqui Traditional Leaders will be coming to Tucson to share, report and talk about their struggle for Yaqui Water Rights: The Vicam Water Blockade.

A struggle is currently being fought by the Yoeme Community and tribal leadership in Sonora, Mexico, where a blockade has been held by communities in Vicam, Rio Yaqui, Sonora, and Mexico since 2013.

Join us discuss the struggle of the Rio Yaqui community to protect their water rights and defend their way of life. Come and meet Mario Luna Romero and the Kovanao, come and show your support.

Help host the Yaqui delegation by contacting Jose Matus: jrmatus@aol.com

For two years, traditional Vicam Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico, have blockaded the highway through their land to defend their water rights. Mexico built an aqueduct, the Independence Aqueduct, to steal their water from Rio Yaqui for the city of Hermosillo. On the highway, the buses and trucks, many bound from the US from the busy coastal agricultural region, were intermittently let pass after long delays.

Mexico responded by abducting, and illegally imprisoning for one year, two of the Vicam Yaqui water rights spokesmen, Mario Luna Romero and Fernando Jimenez Gutierrez. They were recently released. -- Censored News