ALERT -- Sent by Indigenous Environmental Network.
Western Shoshone Defense Project
P.O. Box 211308
Crescent Valley, NV 89821
(775) 468-0230
Fax: (775) 468-0237
Western Shoshone Defense Project
Original Message
Robert Shimek
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2005 11:44 AM
Subject: Sign on letter opposing sale of Indigenous/Tribal Lands and
Rights
Microsoft Word File - Letter to Senate December 7, 2005
All,
Below and attached is the final version of the sign on letter to the US
Senate to stop the sale of federal lands. The deadline for signing on
for
the first letter drop is Dec. 8th. The deadline for signing on for the
second letter drop is Dec. 12th. The Senate will return that day and
may
vote as soon as Dec. 14th.
Many of you signed onto a similar letter to
the
house of Representatives last month. I am requesting your support once
again
to stop the sale of public lands that will encumber numerous aspects of
Tribal land rights and cultural practices. When you respond, do let me
know
your proper name and/or Tribe/organization and home town and which of
the
three categories you wish to be listed under.
Also, feel free to use the letter as a template to send your Senators.
It
can be edited to fit your needs and concerns. If you are comfortable
with
the language and wish to be signators, either e-mail me at
Bob Shimek
or call 1-877-436-2121 and leave me a message. If I am out, I can be
reached
on cell at 218-760-0284 to answer questions about the letter.
Thanks so much for your past support and I look forward to hearing from
you
again.
Peace With Earth.
Bob Shimek
Indigenous Environmental Network
Mining Projects Coordinator
December 7, 2005
Dear Senator:
We are writing to express our serious concern with a provision in the
House
passed Budget Reconciliation Bill that would effectively rewrite federal
mining laws. This provision, if enacted, would have devastating
consequences on lands significant to Native American people. We urge
the
removal of this provision.
We understand the provision lifts the moratorium on land patents,
removes
the requirement that mining claimants show a "discovery of a valuable
mineral deposit" before purchasing the land, and allows "sold" public
lands
to escape federal environmental review and reclamation bonding
requirements.
This is a fundamental weakening of federal mining law and environmental
protection for impacted communities in the West that are adjacent to
federal
lands. There are thousands of these communities-- towns, villages,
cities
and reservations throughout the west-- that could be profoundly
affected.
As
written, this measure would eviscerate existing U.S. mining laws,
sacrifice
environmental safeguards, and wreak havoc with our traditional
communities
so real estate speculators and multinational mining corporations can
profit
from the sale of our public lands.
The measure affects approximately 270 million acres of land across the
US
many of which is adjacent to Indian reservations or include areas in
which
federal title is disputed. These lands contain important historic and
sacred sites and other culturally sensitive areas. Many of these areas
are
places where native people exercise their off-reservation hunting,
fishing
and gathering rights promised in their treaties. Other lands may be the
subject of ongoing disputes over the validity of the U.S. claim that the
lands somehow transferred from indigenous title to federal title.
Examples
of such ongoing disputes include: the Black Hills of South Dakota, the
Western Shoshone lands of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and California, the San
Francisco Peaks of Arizona, and lands in the headwaters region of rivers
flowing into Bristol Bay, Alaska.
Additionally, mining and other forms of development that come with
privatization could impact the ecological and human health of both
Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities living downstream or downwind
from
the operations. Mineral extraction impacts ecosystems that sustain
Indigenous tribal nations and communities and contributes to the quality
of
life that all Westerners enjoy.
This legislative maneuver has the potential to cause irreparable harm
across
the West. Yet, these proposed changes were included without one public
hearing or the opportunity for public input. We are particularly
concerned
that there was no consultation with Indigenous tribal nations.
The
United
States has a trust responsibility to consult with Indigenous tribes on
proposed actions or development activities through
government-to-government
negotiations -- clearly this has not occurred.
In addition, the United States Government has a fiduciary duty and trust
responsibility to Indian Nations, especially with regard to its
management
of federal lands that directly impact native communities. This
legislation
would seriously damage that trust obligation by transferring ownership
of
federal lands to U.S. or foreign corporations who owe no trust
obligation to
Indian Nations.
This massive shift in policy and land ownership would
occur
without any consultation with Indian Nations whose ancestors are buried
on
these lands or who have special legal or cultural connection to the
lands.
We are requesting your assistance to remove this proposal. At the very
least, democratic principles of fair and open government require that
such
sweeping changes in federal land policy be debated in the open as
free-standing amendments where all Americans, including Indian Nations,
can
express their opinions.
The undersigned Tribal Nations, Traditional
Councils, Native Organizations and individuals respectfully request that
this proposal be repudiated when House and Senate conferees meet to
finalize
the Budget Reconciliation Bill.
Indigenous Nations and Traditional Councils
Organizations
Individuals
See Earlier Report December 1, 2005
Contents
December 2005 Reports
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Last updated on December 09, 2005