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Indigenous Peoples from North America Say No to Fossil Fuel Development
Dooda Desert Rock (David) Knocks on Sithe Global’s (Goliath’s) Door
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A delegation of Indigenous Peoples from all over the world rallied at Sithe Global LLC in New York City, to ensure that Sithe understands the impacts of their proposed Desert Rock Energy Project on the local, Navajo people at the proposed site. Elouise Brown, President of the Dooda Desert Rock committee, and Enei Begaye, Executive Director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition, attempted to deliver a letter to Sithe telling them that local people do not support the project. Sithe did not meet with them.
News reporters accompanied Elouise and Enei into the building, but were ordered to “leave immediately.” Enei and Elouise, as tribal members of the Navajo Nation who Sithe Global is doing business with, asked to deliver a letter to Sithe Global. Receptionists called the Sithe Global office several times and left two messages, but Sithe never came down or called back. The receptionists refused to deliver the letter but directed Elouise and Enei to a messenger center at a different location, where they sent the letter.
“I don’t understand how the proponents of the Desert Rock Energy Project from our Navajo Nation can do business with a corporation that will not speak to members of the Nation who would be directly impacted by the project,” says Elouise Brown. “At least we know we delivered the letter, and they have an idea there are many Navajo people opposed to this project, and only a couple who want the project.”
Outside Indigenous Peoples from all over the world who are in New York for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UN PFII), rallied, chanted, and held signs in solidarity with the Dooda Desert Rock Committee. Suspiciously, soon after the rally started, large moving trucks were parked in front of the building, blocking protestors from being seen on the street. Elouise and Enei were part of the Indigenous Environmental Network delegation to the UN PFII. Together, the group profiled the disproportionate impacts their communities face as a result of the expansion of fossil fuel development in their homelands, resulting in contamination and depletion of water, compounding climate change, and exacerbating health impacts.
Says Enei Begaye, “These are resource wars. These companies are occupying sovereign Indigenous territories, and not just in Iraq. In this country, from the Navajo Nation to the Arctic, the Indian wars continue.”
Contact: Elouise Brown, Dooda Desert Rock, 505-947-6159, Jihan Gearon, Indigenous Environmental Network, 218-760-1370, Enei Begay, Black Mesa Water Coaltion, 928-380-6296
Click "Watch" to view Resistence to Globilization with Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director of the IEN
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Final Report of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Ignores Calls for Fossil Fuel Moratorium and Rejection of Carbon Market
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New York City, NY – Indigenous Peoples attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) are outraged that their rejection of the carbon market and a call for a moratorium on fossil fuel production has been ignored in the final report of the 7th Session of the PFII. The final report of the PFII hailed the World Bank funded carbon trading schemes, like the Clean Development Mechanism, as “good examples” of partnership despite the human rights violations and environmental destruction they have caused.
The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), attended the full two weeks of the UN PFII, held April 21st to May 2nd, 2008. The delegation represented over 20 Indigenous people, whose communities had been negatively impacted through the use and development of fossil fuels and climate change in the U.S. and Canada. The issues represented by the delegation included oil and gas development in Ponca, Oklahoma;
coal mining and coal-fired power plants on the Navajo reservation; oil and gas development in Alaska, the tar sands operation in Alberta, Canada; a proposed oil refinery in Fort Berthold, North Dakota; a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in Passamaquoddy, Maine; and uranium mining in New Mexico.
In solidarity with many other Indigenous Peoples from around the world, the IEN delegation demanded a worldwide moratorium on new exploration, extraction, and processing of fossil fuels on Indigenous People’s land and territories, as well as large scale bioenergy development and inclusion of and support for renewable, low-carbon and decentralized systems. In addition to issues faced in North America, the
delegation stood in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples from Central and South America – strongly criticizing the international carbon market and rejecting the “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Destruction” (REDD) mechanism. By making statements to the forum, participating in regional caucuses, and hosting various side events, the delegation hoped to include this language in the UN PFII’s final report.
Click Here to read the rest of the press release.
Click the "Watch" button to the right to view a video highlighting the reaction of the Indigenous caucases in not being able to voice their opposition to carbon trading and support of a fossil fuel development moritorium.
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Contacts: Jihan Gearon, Indigenous Environmental Network, 218-760-1370
Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network, ien@igc.org
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SUPPORT A MORATORIUM of New Fuel Fossil Developments within Indigenous Peoples’ Territories
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STOP CO2lonialism
There is a call for action for the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Regional Indigenous Caucuses’ and all Indigenous Peoples gathered at the 2008 7th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to:
Support a statement of solidarity demanding a MORATORIUM of new fossil fuel development in and near the traditional homelands of Indigenous Peoples.
• The burning of oil, gas, liquid natural gas, and coal, as fossil fuels, is the primary source of human-induced climate change and global warming.
• A fossil fuel economy dependent on the extraction and processing of fossil fuels has created unprecedented climate crisis and conditions of extreme impoverishment for the majority of the world´s developing economies.
1. Indigenous Peoples have experienced systematic and repeated violations by oil, gas, mining and energy industries infringing on our inherent right to protect our traditional land and our right to a clean and healthy livelihood and well-being. Fossil fuel extraction and processing threaten cultural and biodiversity and destroys pristine lands. Toxic spills, oil flares, CO2 emissions and mining waste destroy local ecosystems and harm human health.
2. Fossil fuel extraction is associated with repression, violations of human rights, militarization and suppression of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Projects have forcibly displaced Indigenous Peoples and destroyed our way of life.
3. Conventional fossil-fuel supplies are limited, even if we tear up the Earth to extract every last drop of oil and shard of coal. Tearing up the sacredness of our Mother Earth to get to the last drops of oil is not sustainable and violates every principle of our Indigenous Original Instructions and beliefs.
Click Here to read the rest of the document.
Click "Watch" to view: Resistence to Globalization Part 2 with Tom Goldtooth.
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INTERVENTION TO THE SEVENTH SESSION ON THE UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES
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Topic: Climate
Submitted by the Indigenous Environmental Network, with support of global endorsements: Centre for Organisation Research & Education (Indigenous Peoples' Centre for Policy and Human Rights in India's Eastern Himalayan Territories Center for Organization Research and Education (CORE), Federation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Asia, Indian Confederation of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Western Shoshone Defense Project, Cabildo Wayuu Noona, International Indian Treaty Council, Asociación Indígena Ambiental, Seventh Generation Fund.
Thank you, Madame Chair, for the opportunity to address the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. I’m Casey Camp-Horinek a member of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma.
I represent the Indigenous Environmental Network, which includes the following affiliate organizations and Canadian First Nations governments that are with me today: Pa Tha Tah, REDOIL [Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands], Mikisew Cree First Nation, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Tribal Campus Climate Challenge Youth delegation, Dooda’ Desert Rock, Fort Berthold Environmental Awareness Committee, Passamaquoddy Bay Defenders, Black Mesa Water Coalition, Tulalip Youth, Laguna Acoma Coalition for a Safe Environment.
We cannot deny that the dangers of climate change violate the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. Climate change threatens our food systems and ability to practice our ceremonies, forces removals from our traditional lands and territories, and creates disproportionate health impacts on Indigenous Peoples. Climate change is more than an environmental issue to Indigenous Peoples. Our cultures are in crisis – the inability of governments to address the issue of climate change is tantamount to cultural genocide for our Peoples. The UN and relevant international agencies must address these human rights violations immediately. We cannot wait; climate change is a real issue in the communities we are from. We must build upon the discussion of impacts, and take action to create real solutions to climate change and global warming now.
Madame Chair, while there is a very justifiable increase of global interest on studying climate issues and debates on its solutions, it is business as usual with the expansion of oil, coal and other fossil fuel development within our homelands. The international scientific community, led by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was established through a resolution of the UN General Assembly, has concluded that the burning of oil, gas, liquid natural gas, and coal, as fossil fuels, is the primary source of human-induced climate change and global warming. The Earth has already warmed by 0.76 degrees Celsius (nearly 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Most scientists warn that a temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) could have serious consequences. Above the 2 degrees level, scientists are saying this is the tipping point where temperatures and weather events will be out of control, with an acceleration of climate changes and global warming. Concerned scientists are now saying we are almost at that tipping point, within 10 years.
Click here to read the rest of the statement.
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Five Tribes Say NO to Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon
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By JACKIE BROWN
Special to the Courier
Despite assertions that uranium extraction is safer now than 50 years ago, some northern Arizona tribes and officials aren't willing to trust an industry they say hasn't taken responsibility for what it left behind during
the last mining boom.
"It served as an excellent example of how not to do things," said Kris Hefton, Chief Operating Officer of Vane Minerals, of past practices. "The industry of the past 25 years has learned from that."
Despite his positive testimony, he was one of just three out of 14 witnesses favoring a continuation of mining activity at this past Friday's congressional field hearing - Community Impacts of Proposed Uranium Mining
Near Grand Canyon National Park - in Flagstaff.
Also testifying during the four-and-a-half hour hearing were representatives from the Navajo, Kaibab Paiute, Havasupai, Hualapai and Hopi tribes; representatives from Coconino County and Kane County, Utah; Park Service; Forest Service; river running industry and scientific community.
Arizona's 4th District Congressman Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva headed the panel which included fellow representatives Ed Pastor of Arizona's 4th Congressional District and Grace Napolitano of California's 38th District.
The hearing ran in conjunction with legislation that Grijalva is sponsoring to curb mining near Grand Canyon National Park. It was a joint effort by the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Energy and Minerals Subcommittee.
HR 5583 would prohibit new uranium mining in the last three portions of federal land surrounding the Grand Canyon where it is still permissible: the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest south of the Canyon, the Kanab Creek watershed north of the park, and House Rock Valley, between Grand Canyon National Park and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument - about 1 million acres in all.
"Grand Canyon is in a status unto itself," Grijalva said. "The reason is to bring emphasis to that status, not to shut the industry down."
Click here to read the rest of the article.
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Duck Deaths Confirm First Nations' Fears
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"The future is knocking at our door right now. Make no mistake, the next generation will ask us one of two questions. Either they will ask: "What were you thinking; why didn't you act?" Or they will ask instead: "How did you find the moral courage to rise and successfully resolve a crisis that so many said was impossible to solve?" - AL GORE ON RECEIVING NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2007
Media Release
Fort Chipewyan, May 2, 2008 -- Only one day after the 500 ducks were found dead in the tailings pond at Syncrude Canada in the Alberta tar sands, a local Mikisew Cree hunter killed a duck that was totally covered in oil. Community leaders have no doubt that the duck was a victim of the toxic tailings ponds near Fort McMurray, 300 kilometres south of Fort Chipewyan. The oil-drenched duck will be released to the Canadian Wildlife Service for further investigation.
The Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, say the deaths of up to 500 ducks in toxic tailings ponds at Syncrude Canada once again confirm growing concerns of tar sands development upstream from their community. The community has escalated its efforts to determine the true state of its highly toxic waters, sediment and wildlife, including waterfowl, which the community knows have unusually high levels of arsenic, mercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
"It angers and saddens me because our ancestors have been able to survive in this region for thousands of years. We should have the same opportunity to live traditionally, but developers have taken that from us," says Lisa King, Environmental Specialist for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Industry Relations Corporation.
Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation says, "Our fears have been confirmed by the recent incident with Syncrude Canada. We have always known that our traditional ways are at risk. Today our fears are reality. As Chief of the ACFN, I expect a clean up that focuses on affected wildlife in the Peace-Athabasca Delta as well as the region including Wood Buffalo National Park, where birds are known to nest each year. We are a downstream community of concerned members and we need peace of mind that our traditional ways can continue. We need answers from Canadian, provincial and industry representatives."
The First Nations fear more birds that are still contaminated with oil have flown further north in the Peace-Athabasca Delta and elsewhere in the Mackenzie basin watershed.
Chief Roxanne Marcel of the Mikisew Cree First Nation says, "The community of Fort Chipewyan has informed government time and again that their management of the tar sands needs to be vigilant. Time and again, if it were not for the Mikisew Cree's efforts, the standards would be the lowest in the world at this, the world's largest industrial development project. Read More
Click Watch to view a video of the ducks and comments from the oil company and the Canadian government.
This press release just distributed by the Athabasca Chipewyan and the Mikisew Cree First Nations in Fort Chipewyan.
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY!
George Poitras, B.Admin.
Consultation Coordinator
Mikisew Cree - Industry Relations
#208, 9715 Main Street
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1T5
Tel: 780.714.6500 ext. #224
e: george.poitras@shawbiz.ca
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First Indigenous Tar Sands Action Camp
Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, May 8-11, 2008
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The Indigenous Environmental Network along with our Canadian based allies though our emerging Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign (CITSC) held the First Indigenous Tar Sands Action Camp in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta on May 8-11, 2008.
The meeting was very strong, with allot of community participation. Both Chief's of the local First Nations host communities Athabasca Dene First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation were in attendance and were fully supportive of the training and its objectives.
Twenty-five participants from Fort Mckay, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McMurray, Lubicon Cree and else were were in attendance for the four day event. A community feast was organized on the third day for the entire community to come and here about IEN, the Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign and the objectives of the camp.
This training was part of our initial strategy to "building the base." with members of the First Nations – grassroots impacted by the Tar Sands Development.
Click here for more info.
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