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Western Shoshone Defense Project, P.O. Box 211308, Crescent Valley, NV 89821
775-468-0230, www.wsdp.org
Press Release – For Immediate Release
Western Shoshone and Allies Challenge Department of Interior Decision to Open Spiritual and Cultural Area to Further Destruction by Gold Mining
November 30, 2004, Crescent Valley, NV. On Friday, November 26, the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians, the Western Shoshone Defense Project, and Great Basin Mine Watch joined forces and filed a petition for review challenging a decision by the Department of Interior approving an expansion of mining activities by Cortez Gold Mine in Horse Canyon – at the center of Western Shoshone territory.
The decision was made despite Western Shoshone protests and BLM recognition of the area as a site of Cultural and Religious Importance under the National Historic Preservation Act. The area continues to be used by Western Shoshone for hunting, gathering, religious and cultural purposes. The petition raises environmental concerns and alleges that the mining activities will adversely affect, if not outright prohibit and obliterate the uses of the area by Western Shoshone and others. The petition requests that the project be stayed and that the State Director, Robert Abbey, remand the decision to the agency for full compliance with federal law.
Horse Canyon is part of the same area where hundreds of horses belonging to Mary and Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone grandmothers were seized last year by federal agents under the auspices of the Department of Interior.* Now the only “horses” heading toward the canyon and the adjacent Mt. Tenabo are metal “horses” in the form of drill rigs and bulldozers as Cortez Gold Mine, a joint venture of Placer Dome, Inc. (Canadian-owned) and Kennecott Minerals (Australian-owned) rides in on an approval by Interior.
Jody Abe, Western Shoshone and Te-Moak Tribal Council member: “We are outraged. Once again, the Tribes have been left out of decision making that affects our people and our environment. The Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone has an interest in the preservation and protection of our homeland. The issue of our title as recognized by the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley is still intact and federal court action and other actions are ongoing, the Department of Interior and the mining companies know this and must begin taking these issues seriously.”
Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone grandmother: “I will never understand it, for years we used our best efforts to educate and stop further destruction of our people and those things that are sacred to us. And yet, it is this federal administration who claims “moral values” and these companies who claim to be socially responsible that have shown nothing but disrespect for the ways of the Shoshone people. What good are museums for Native Americans and cultural centers if our culture is destroyed? We are not artifacts in the past - we’re here, we’ve always been here and we will always be here. We were placed here on this land by the Creator as caretakers – our voices must be heard in decisions affecting all that is sacred, which includes the land.”
For further information, Nicole Rinke of Western Mining Action Project (775) 337-2977.
A full copy of the Petition for Review is attached to this press release.
*For additional information on the horse & cattle seizures go to www.wsdp.org.
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