Controversy has reignited in the desert east of Phoenix as the Apache Stronghold group rallies against the proposed Resolution Copper mine, claiming it will destroy sacred land and eradicate their religious practices. Following a narrow legal defeat this month in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the activists are preparing to take their argument to the Supreme Court, according to Arizona's Family.
Apache Stronghold leader Wendsler Nosie Sr. described Oak Flat, the contentious site, with reverence, "You’re not going to find what is here anywhere. You have an abundance of food, medicine plants, water, and wildlife." Nosie's bond to the land, he expressed, is deeply rooted, as he told Arizona's Family that his people have dwelled there since "time immemorial."
Located within the Tonto National Forest, near the town of Superior, Oak Flat's natural landscape is marked with oak trees, rugged terrain, and sizeable boulders. The area is of significant cultural and spiritual importance to the Apache people, serving as a site for vital traditions and ceremonies. Activists believe the mining could create a nearly 2.5-mile-wide pit, causing unprecedented destruction to an irreplaceable environment.
The mining project, which would likely last for decades, is positioned to meet a significant portion of the nation's copper needs. "Resolution Copper" argues that the endeavor would bolster Arizona's economy by approximately $1 billion annually and create thousands of jobs, as stated in a statement obtained by Arizona's Family. While touting economic benefits, the company acknowledged ongoing conversations with the local community and tribes aiming to address raised concerns.
Attorney Luke Goodrich, representing Apache Stronghold, emphasized the legal crux of their case relies on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, posing the question if the obliteration of Oak Flat and consequent interruption to Apache religious practices constitutes a significant burden to their religious freedom. Apache Stronghold's plea underpins apprehensions that a breach of the area’s sanctity could disintegrate the cultural fabric that has anchored Apache heritage for generations.
Amidst legal challenges and cultural entreaties, the Apache Stronghold group continues its mission, setting its sights on the federal cockpit of judicial consideration while the copper triangle, a synonym for economic progress to some, remains a symbol of cultural survival to others. Their appeal is anticipated for April 15th in San Francisco, as mentioned in a Democratic Underground article.
