Carrie Dann presented the REAL Bridge-Builders Award.

On August 30, when the University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) presents its “International Bridge-Building Award” to Newmont CEO Wayne Murdy, protestors will serve Murdy with a citation for “building bridges on a foundation of human rights and environmental abuses.”

Denver-area organizations will protest the award on behalf of communities around the world that suffer the consequences of Newmont’s gold mines. Western Shoshone elder Carrie Dann and Julie Fishel of the Western Shoshone Defense Fund will denounce Newmont’s encroachment on their lands and rights in Nevada. On behalf of courageous activists worldwide who demand their rights and environmental protection in communities affected by Newmont mines, Carrie Dann will be presented the REAL Bridge-Builders Award.

Dann, a Western Shoshone indigenous to Newe Sogobia (lands now in Nevada, California, Idaho, and Utah), and her late sister Mary Dann became unlikely icons in her people's struggle against federal government encroachment upon native lands. Mary, while raising cattle with her sister, received a notice in 1973 from the Department of Interior that stated, by allowing the animals to graze on nearby land, they were trespassing.

“My sister responded that they couldn't be in trespass because they were on Shoshone lands,” recalled Carrie Dann. “The only time we would be trespassing, she told him, would be if we were on Paiute land—over to the west. The Department of Interior sued us anyway.”

And thus the sisters were launched headlong into the complicated legal and political battle for the right to use their native land, originally secured by the 1863 treaty of Ruby Valley. Since that time, nearly 90% of Newe Sogobia slipped into the hands of government, large corporations, and other use. Dozens of nuclear tests and environmentally destructive gold mining have taken place almost exclusively on Newe territory. (Carrie Dann bio taken from:

Carrie Dann Bio

On five continents, Newmont-affected communities are constantly engaged in protests, marches and litigation to defend their natural resources and their rights. Oxfam America, Amnesty International and the World Resources Institute have documented community charges against Newmont for contaminating drinking water; polluting rivers and oceans with toxic waste including cyanide, mercury and arsenic; colluding with police and military in order to intimidate, brutalize and detain community activists; bribery; and depriving local fishermen and farmers of their lands and livelihoods.

GSIS Dean Tom Farer admitted to the press that this award to Murdy comes with hopes of major financial contributions to the school from Newmont and Murdy. The award will be presented at the Annual Korbel Dinner, the University’s annual black-tie fund raiser. Even in the face of scores of letters and petitions from DU faculty, alumni, communities in Ghana and Peru, the Western Shoshone Defense Project, and national and local activist organizations, Farer and Chancellor Robert Coombe refused to withdraw the award.

The Colorado American Indian Movement, the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, Global Response, the Stop Newmont Coalition, the University of Colorado’s Indigenous Support Network, and the Denver Justice & Peace Committee are called on their members and all concerned citizens to gather for a civil demonstration outside of the Marriott Hotel (California and 17th Street) at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 30th. Protest organizers have pledged their commitment to non-violence (see non-violence guidelines below)

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See What's New? for articles, protest letters sent to DU’s Chancellor, video clips on Newmont Mining Company, and more.

Al Lewis, a Denver Post business columnist wrote about the issue in the Sunday, August 5th paper. You can view the article and a television interview via his ongoing blog, which also allows you to join in on the debate:

Al Lewis Denver Post Columnist Article

Contents

September 2007 Reports

Last updated on September 18, 2007