Post by dT on Feb 8, 2015 19:09:16 GMT -5
This is an update on the Oak Flats protest that is being carried out by the San Carlos band of the Chiricahua Apaches. I attended the protest this past weekend (Feb 7-8, 2015). It is a peaceful spiritual movement that has strong support from the Nde elders and all the folks at San Carlos.
BACKGROUND
Oak Plats is located in the Arizona Highlands, about a 1-hour drive east of Phoenix. It is beside Hwy 60, on the way to Globe. It is a very pretty area, with dry woodlands. Oak Flats sits on public land and has been used by the Apaches as a ceremonial area for a long time. In fact, this area has a very special significance to the Chiricahuas and it was one of their ancestral homelands for centuries. The area was lost to the Apaches around the time of the surrender of Geronimo, when the people were shipped to Florida, and then we re-sited to San Carlos (and Oklahoma).
SIGNIFICANCE
This area is VERY important to the Chirichuas. It was originally a home because the may oak trees that grow in the highlands produce acorns that are easily edible. Unlike the oaks in California, where the acorns must be ground and washed with water (to remove tannin), the oaks in Arizona are more user-friendly. The acorns can immediately be ground and used for food. In addition, Oak Flats was (and still is) a VERY important area for Apache ceremonial purposes. The San Carlos band thought that Oak Flats was a "done deal" - and therefore protected forever - because it lies on public land that was set aside by President Eisenhower in the 1950's. But as recent events show - NOTHING is sacred. And THAT is exactly the problem!!!
RECENT LAND GRAB
Mining companies have been after Oak Flats for a long time! They are well aware that it contains useful copper ore in the ground. There is a nearby mining project, but that area is on private land. The mining companies want to expand. But they have been prevented from doing so ... because Oak Flats is public land and (was) subject to EPA protections (environment). To subvert this process, the mining companies made donations to Senator John McCain. McCain then included a "secret" provision into a Defense bill at the end of 2014. The bill passed Congress. The clause included by McCain allows 2400 acres of the public land, including the Oak Flats area to be mined. Immediately, the mining companies plan to REMOVE all surface water sources and aquifers from the area ... because these pose a flooding risk for underground mining and excavation. The exact scope of the mining is still unclear, but might include the excavation of a very large hole where Oak Flats Campground is currently located. Certainly, even if the project does underground mining, there will be major subsidence in the area. Hence the land will be significantly disrupted, and the water sources removed!!!
CHIRICAHUA's
The San Carlos band is not accepting these recent developments ... their attitude could be summarized as ... "NOT just NO - But H*LL NO!!". For this reason the elders and the people have been building a protest movement - a PEACEFUL one - to try to fight the land grab. This will be a long and difficult struggle ... not easy for the Chiricahuas to win. But they are very serious about retaining Oak Flats!
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND (Feb 7-8, 2015)
There were two major activities, attended by about 400-500 people. it is difficult to estimate the true number, because people were coming and going. But this protest had excellent attendance, and strong support from San Carlos! The major steps were:
1. A SPRITUAL CEREMONY to declare Oak Flats as "Sacred Ground" for the Chiricahuas. Although Oak Flats has indeed been sacred ground for centuries, the significance is that the Apaches are returning to their home now. It is not acceptable to the Nde that this piece of land that is very sacred to them is being stolen from under their noses. Therefore, the declaration that Oak Flats is a "SACRED AREA" means that the people will make a maximum effort to retain this land and to REPEAL the legislation passed in the US Congress. The ceremony itself was a complete Nde ceremony, conducted by the chief Medicine Man of San Carlos. All visitors were allowed to watch, and to dance at the end of the ceremony. The ceremony was very "emotional" because the San Carlos band truly sees this process as their "coming home" ceremony.
2. A SIGNING BY THE TRIBAL ELDERS. The elders of San Carlos were all present to sign a document saying that they would support efforts to retain Oak Flats and to give support to tribal members who are participating in the protests. This was an IMPRESSIVE show of support by the San Carlos elders!!
The organizers of the protest did a terrific job, given the fact that they had to stage an event on rough land (dirt roads) and with an unknown number of supporters coming. A BIG THANKS to all the folks at San Carlos who made this possible - water and food were provided to everyone!! The organizers wish to share these priorities:
1. This is a PEACEFUL protest and a SPIRITUAL movement! Please do not use any type of violent action, or destruction of property. The San Carlos band wishes to conduct their protest in a way that is lawful - but also expresses their strong commitment to overturn the unjust Land Grab.
2. This movement sees the Oak Flats issue as the Defense of SACRED tribal land. When people feel that they are losing sacred parts of their heritage, they will make a HUGE EFFORT to keep what's theirs!! This is where San Carlos is - with this issue. It's not a small issue to them ... it's a BIG DEAL!
3. The protest is a long-term effort. The goal is to REPEAL the slimy piece of legislation that sold the Apache land to mining developers. To obtain this result, a long term commitment is required. San Carlos is making this commitment!!
4. There is NO secret agenda here. The Apaches have been fully OPEN with all their activities! Any member of the public or Congress can talk to the protest organizers - at any time. The San Carlos band have been OPEN, CLEAR, PEACEFUL, and with STRONG COMMITMENT - with their expression of why they are unhappy with the situation. It was noticeable to me (personally) that no-one from the Arizona legislature showed up at this event .. to even see what was going on.
These basic facts are provided here - so you can understand the issues. Please keep in mind that the organizers are very serious about this protest being PEACEFUL. Therefore, if you hear of any incidents that are reported in the media - then you can be SURE that the Apaches did not start a conflict. There are NO armed tribal members at Oak Flats ... there are peaceful people including elders, men, women and children!!
I am a non-Native. I support San Carlos 100% with their objectives in this protest. It was a pleasure - and a personal thrill - to be allowed to attend their ceremonies.
If there are any corrections to the facts that I have presented here ... send me a message and I will fix this thread. SPECIAL THANKS to everyone at San Carlos for their great hospitality throughout this weekend event!!
blessings,
Pete (dT)
BACKGROUND
Oak Plats is located in the Arizona Highlands, about a 1-hour drive east of Phoenix. It is beside Hwy 60, on the way to Globe. It is a very pretty area, with dry woodlands. Oak Flats sits on public land and has been used by the Apaches as a ceremonial area for a long time. In fact, this area has a very special significance to the Chiricahuas and it was one of their ancestral homelands for centuries. The area was lost to the Apaches around the time of the surrender of Geronimo, when the people were shipped to Florida, and then we re-sited to San Carlos (and Oklahoma).
SIGNIFICANCE
This area is VERY important to the Chirichuas. It was originally a home because the may oak trees that grow in the highlands produce acorns that are easily edible. Unlike the oaks in California, where the acorns must be ground and washed with water (to remove tannin), the oaks in Arizona are more user-friendly. The acorns can immediately be ground and used for food. In addition, Oak Flats was (and still is) a VERY important area for Apache ceremonial purposes. The San Carlos band thought that Oak Flats was a "done deal" - and therefore protected forever - because it lies on public land that was set aside by President Eisenhower in the 1950's. But as recent events show - NOTHING is sacred. And THAT is exactly the problem!!!
RECENT LAND GRAB
Mining companies have been after Oak Flats for a long time! They are well aware that it contains useful copper ore in the ground. There is a nearby mining project, but that area is on private land. The mining companies want to expand. But they have been prevented from doing so ... because Oak Flats is public land and (was) subject to EPA protections (environment). To subvert this process, the mining companies made donations to Senator John McCain. McCain then included a "secret" provision into a Defense bill at the end of 2014. The bill passed Congress. The clause included by McCain allows 2400 acres of the public land, including the Oak Flats area to be mined. Immediately, the mining companies plan to REMOVE all surface water sources and aquifers from the area ... because these pose a flooding risk for underground mining and excavation. The exact scope of the mining is still unclear, but might include the excavation of a very large hole where Oak Flats Campground is currently located. Certainly, even if the project does underground mining, there will be major subsidence in the area. Hence the land will be significantly disrupted, and the water sources removed!!!
CHIRICAHUA's
The San Carlos band is not accepting these recent developments ... their attitude could be summarized as ... "NOT just NO - But H*LL NO!!". For this reason the elders and the people have been building a protest movement - a PEACEFUL one - to try to fight the land grab. This will be a long and difficult struggle ... not easy for the Chiricahuas to win. But they are very serious about retaining Oak Flats!
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND (Feb 7-8, 2015)
There were two major activities, attended by about 400-500 people. it is difficult to estimate the true number, because people were coming and going. But this protest had excellent attendance, and strong support from San Carlos! The major steps were:
1. A SPRITUAL CEREMONY to declare Oak Flats as "Sacred Ground" for the Chiricahuas. Although Oak Flats has indeed been sacred ground for centuries, the significance is that the Apaches are returning to their home now. It is not acceptable to the Nde that this piece of land that is very sacred to them is being stolen from under their noses. Therefore, the declaration that Oak Flats is a "SACRED AREA" means that the people will make a maximum effort to retain this land and to REPEAL the legislation passed in the US Congress. The ceremony itself was a complete Nde ceremony, conducted by the chief Medicine Man of San Carlos. All visitors were allowed to watch, and to dance at the end of the ceremony. The ceremony was very "emotional" because the San Carlos band truly sees this process as their "coming home" ceremony.
2. A SIGNING BY THE TRIBAL ELDERS. The elders of San Carlos were all present to sign a document saying that they would support efforts to retain Oak Flats and to give support to tribal members who are participating in the protests. This was an IMPRESSIVE show of support by the San Carlos elders!!
The organizers of the protest did a terrific job, given the fact that they had to stage an event on rough land (dirt roads) and with an unknown number of supporters coming. A BIG THANKS to all the folks at San Carlos who made this possible - water and food were provided to everyone!! The organizers wish to share these priorities:
1. This is a PEACEFUL protest and a SPIRITUAL movement! Please do not use any type of violent action, or destruction of property. The San Carlos band wishes to conduct their protest in a way that is lawful - but also expresses their strong commitment to overturn the unjust Land Grab.
2. This movement sees the Oak Flats issue as the Defense of SACRED tribal land. When people feel that they are losing sacred parts of their heritage, they will make a HUGE EFFORT to keep what's theirs!! This is where San Carlos is - with this issue. It's not a small issue to them ... it's a BIG DEAL!
3. The protest is a long-term effort. The goal is to REPEAL the slimy piece of legislation that sold the Apache land to mining developers. To obtain this result, a long term commitment is required. San Carlos is making this commitment!!
4. There is NO secret agenda here. The Apaches have been fully OPEN with all their activities! Any member of the public or Congress can talk to the protest organizers - at any time. The San Carlos band have been OPEN, CLEAR, PEACEFUL, and with STRONG COMMITMENT - with their expression of why they are unhappy with the situation. It was noticeable to me (personally) that no-one from the Arizona legislature showed up at this event .. to even see what was going on.
These basic facts are provided here - so you can understand the issues. Please keep in mind that the organizers are very serious about this protest being PEACEFUL. Therefore, if you hear of any incidents that are reported in the media - then you can be SURE that the Apaches did not start a conflict. There are NO armed tribal members at Oak Flats ... there are peaceful people including elders, men, women and children!!
I am a non-Native. I support San Carlos 100% with their objectives in this protest. It was a pleasure - and a personal thrill - to be allowed to attend their ceremonies.
If there are any corrections to the facts that I have presented here ... send me a message and I will fix this thread. SPECIAL THANKS to everyone at San Carlos for their great hospitality throughout this weekend event!!
blessings,
Pete (dT)