Oak Flat update
By Mariah Humphries
Hesci (Hello)!
Native existence has been through so much removal from land, culture and language over the centuries and we are still working for justice to be served to Native communities. One area, here at Fellowship Southwest, we have been staying updated on the process with San Carlos Apache Tribe’s Chí’chil Biłdagoteel, "the place where the Emory oak grows” — today known as Oak Flat.
As you may or may not know, Save Oak Flat has been a focus over the past years in the work for religious freedom. It is a sacred site for the San Carlos Apache, as well as other Tribes in Arizona, and it is being fought in court to keep Resolution Copper from mining on this sacred site.
The Apache Stronghold and environmentalists have recently faced a significant road block. On May 14, the 9th Circuit of Appeals declined the rehear Apache Stronghold v. United States. They will now appeal to the Supreme Court.
“Oak Flat is the place where generations of Apaches have come to connect with our Creator, our faith and our land. We pray the Supreme Court will take our case and protect Oak Flat the same way it would protect other historic houses of worship across the country.” — Wendsler Nosie, head of Apache Stronghold.
Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, said “obliterating the birthplace of Western Apache religion would be a tragic betrayal of our nation’s promise of religious freedom for all. We will ask the Supreme Court take this case, protect Oak Flat, and ensure that Indigenous peoples receive the same protection for religious freedom that all other faith groups enjoy.”
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