Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal: Spiritual Gathering, Pasadena Court (3/21)

Monday, March 20, 2023

Spiritual Gathering, Pasadena Court (3/21)

Apache-Stronghold; Xochitl, Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Protect Oak Flat, Arizona, sacred Apache land (Peace Supplies)

It's just water. Who cares?
At one time we were all about protecting the water. We were water protectors at Standing Rock. Now we're called on to protect sacred land -- public lands in a National Forest being sold off for copper extraction -- Native American spirituality, and the holy water at Oak Flat. Protect it from who? There's a corporation (RSC) lined up and lobbying to destroy it all for profit. Either we show up for the land and Apache Stronghold, or we turn over the ground and our ways to anyone who files in court and pays off the politicians to grease the wheels of American-style capitalism. - Wisdom Quarterly

Who are the Water Protectors that stood up to police brutality? | Wonderopolis

Who were the Water Protectors at Standing Rock? | BESIDE

In their own words: The 'water protectors' of Standing Rock (MPR News)

Apache Stronghold Protect Oak Flat

We tried the White Man's way, in court

The Apache tribe of San Carlos, Arizona, is calling on all people [in Los Angeles] to take action and join in prayer to support the Apache Stronghold in the struggle to protect the sacred land of Oak Flat, Arizona.

In June the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena ruled 2-1 in support of the U.S. against the Apache Stronghold’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt the transfer of sacred lands to a foreign mining corporation called Resolution Copper.

Protect Oak Flat yard sign (Peace Supplies)

Its mine proposes to swallow the sacred site in a 2-mile-wide and 1,100-foot-deep crater — rendering longstanding spiritual practices impossible, devastating the Apache way of life.

The court’s ruling concluded that the U.S. has no “substantial burden” to protect Apache religion, spirituality, or their sacred lands held in trust when there is copper to be mined for corporate profit and national interests.

One dissenting judge, Marsha Berson, called the decision “absurd,” “illogical,” and “disingenuous.”

“Oak Flat is like Mount Sinai to us — our most sacred site where we connect with our Creator, our faith, our families, and our land. It is a place of healing that has been sacred to us since long before Europeans arrived on this continent. My children, grandchildren, and the generations after them deserve to practice our traditions at Oak Flat.”

- Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr. of Apache Stronghold

The Apache Stronghold plans to appeal this decision with the Supreme Court in September. But just last week a remarkable and unusual opportunity arose when the Ninth Circuit announced that it will hold a vote on whether to reconsider Apache Stronghold’s appeal to save Oak Flat.

This means the Apache Stronghold may get a second chance to win protection for Oak Flat in the Ninth Circuit before the case goes to the Supreme Court. More