Apache Stronghold & Tribal Positions, Documents & Testimonies

Apache Stronghold
Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr., Founder, &
Former Chairman & Counselman, San Carlos Apache Tribe
SEE ALSO APACHE STRONGHOLD PRESS RELEASES  |  Becket Law for case information regarding Apache Stronghold vs. United States
October 8, 2021 | Apache Stronghold Letter to Tribal Leaders  | PLEASE READ! All AZ tribes and indigenous peoples across the country will be deeply impacted. If you have any questions please contact the Apache-stronghold.com  ~ Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr.
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October 3, 2021 | Apache Stronghold Letter to Reverand William. Barber | A request on our behalf for Pope Francis and the Vatican to renounce the Doctrine of Disccovery ~ Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr.
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February 4, 2021 | Following the Feb. 3, 2021, Preliminary Injunction hearing:  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 4, 2021 DOJ ATTORNEY CLAIMS DESTRUCTION OF SACRED OAK FLAT PREVENTING RELIGIOUS PRACTICE "NOT A SUBSTANTIAL BURDEN" FOR APACHE. JUDGE PROMISES RULING BY FEBRUARY 12 
February 3, 2021 | Apache Stronghold v United States of America | Preliminary Injunction Hearing Court Transcript 
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November 14, 2020 -  Apache Stronghold Correspondence to Paul Edmondson, President & CEO, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D.C.  (PDF)  RE: Invitation & Request for NHPA Sec. 106 Assistance – Chí’chil Biłdagoteel National Historic District (Oak Flat), Western Apache Traditional Cultural Property & Sacred Place
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November 13, 2020 - Apache Stronghold Correspondence to John Fowler, Executive Director, The President’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Washington, DC (PDF) RE: Council NHPA §106 Compliance Review Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §800.9(a) for the Proposed Resolution Copper Mine and Southeast Arizona Land Exchange Undertakings
November 21, 2019 - I'M GOING HOME FOR MY PEOPLE - Wendsler Nosie Sr. delivers letter of intent to USDA Forest Service on November 21, 2019. Wendsler will start his spiritual journey home to Chi'chil Bildagoteel on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 28, 2019. He will walk off the San Carlos Apache Reservation to return to his traditional homeland and Sacred mountain to take permanent residence.
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October 8, 2019 | Comments on the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange Draft Environmental Impact Statement
as Submitted by the Apache Stronghold October 8, 2019 (Download PDF; 38 MB) Please be patient for download.
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1852 Treaty between the U.S. and the Apache Nation of Indians sometimes referenced as the “Treaty of Santa Fe” -  Transcribed copy of the 1852 Treaty available online at https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/apa1852.asp
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March 8, 2016 - Letter to Congress " I submit this letter to call on the protection of our religious rights as indigenous people and the protection of Oak Flat and all sacred sites." ~ Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr., Apache Stronghold
White Mountain Apache Cultural Center
Ramon Riley, Cultural Director
NAGPRA Representative
Nohwike' Bagowah Culture Center
White Mountain Apache Tribe
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November 9, 2020 - Ramon Riley To Our U.S. Federal Government Trustees and Tribal Leaders 
Re:  Proposed Resolution Copper Mine and Land Exchange Impacts on First Amendment and Human Rights to Religious Freedom, Exercise and Beliefs
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Responding due to a letter by Neil Bosworth, Forest Supervisor, Tonto National Forest (dated August 28, 2020, File Code: 1560) to the White Mountain Apache Chairwoman, Gwendena Lee Gatewood regarding the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange with Oak Flat to Resolution Copper.
San Carlos Apache Tribe
Terry Rambler, Tribal Chairman
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September 17, 2021 -  Letter to Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole   Support for Grijalva Amendment #472 to the National Defense Authorization Act
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April 21, 2021 - Terry Rambler, Chairman, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Written Testimony for the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Legislative Hearing on H.R. 1844, the Save Oak Flat Act 
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Inter Tribal Association of Arizona 21 Tribal Nations
ITAA Resolution 0419- Support for Repeal of Section 3003 of the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange, August 23, 2019 - Download PDF | 4/30/2021, Testimony For The Record By The Inter Tribal Association of Arizona, Mr. Shan Lewis, President
The National Congress of American Indians
Resolution #MSP-15-001 - Support for Repeal of Section 3003 of the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange  Download PDF | 04/13/2021,  Written Testimony of Fawn Sharp, President National Congress of American Indians
United South and Eastern Tribes Incorporated (USET)
Intertribal organization comprised of twenty-six (26) federally recognized Tribes - USET Resolution No. 2015:033 - Support for Repeal of Section 3003 of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, The Southeast Arizonal Land Exchange - Download PDF
Other Native American Tribes Supporting the Save Oak Flat Act
(as submitted to H.R. 1884 Congressional Hearings)
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White Mountain Apache Tribe - Resolution #04-21-68
Tonto Apache Tribe - Resolution #21-08 
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation - Resolution #Ft. McD 2021-35. 
Tohono O'odahm Nation - Request to Support Save Oak Flat Act 
Ak-Chin Indian Community - Support for Save Oak Flat Act
Havasupai Tribe - Resolution #26-21
Hualapai Tribe - Resolution #19-2021
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community - Resolution #SR-3863-2021
Cocopah Indian Reservation - Resolution #CT-2021-07
Samish Indian Nation -Support for Save Oak Flat Act
Shawnee Tribe - Resolution #R-04-14-21-A
Pueblo of Tesuque - Support for Save Oak Flat Act
Shoshone-Bannock - Support for Save Oak Flat Act 
Poarch Band of Creek Indians - Support for Save Oak Flat Act
San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians - Resolution #SP-42021-15
Hickory Ground (Oce Vpofa) Tribal Town - Testimony for the Record
Ogalala Sioux Tribe - Support for Save Oak Flat Act 
La Post Band of Mission Indians - Resolution #212104A 
First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance - Support for Save Oak Flat Act 
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chipewa Indians - Resolution #40-20-21-D
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Tribal Collective Letter - On behalf of the undersigned tribal organizations, we write to show our support for the enactment of H.R. 1885/S.915, the Save Oak Flat Act. Collectively, we advocate on behalf of Tribal Nations from across the country.

Legislative Hearings To Repeal the Oak Flat Land Exchange

April  13, 2021, Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States 
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March 12, 2020, Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States
The Irreparable Environmental and Cultural Impacts of the Proposed Resolution Copper Mining Operation
 

Prior Years of Congressional Hearing Testimonies

 
  • BLM Statement regarding HR 687 - Statement of Jamie E. Connell, Acting Deputy Director Bureau of Land Management U.S. Department of the Interior Before the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Energy &  Mineral Resources Legislative Hearing on H.R. 687, Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act March 21, 2013 - The Administration has several concerns with the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act and cannot support H.R. 687 as written.Two of the Administration's principal concerns with the legislation pertain to the timing of NEPA analysis and tribal consultation.

  • Hearing Report - Mr. Hastings of Washington, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the following Report together with DISSENTING VIEWS.  H.R. 687 will rob Native People of their heritage, local people of their water and the American people of valuable natural resources, all to benefit two large, foreign-owned mining corporations. This legislation is an abdication of our responsibilities as stewards of the public lands and the public trust and it should be rejected by the House.  ...  Finally, H.R. 687 trades away several sites that are sacred to Native People. The hearing record includes desperate pleas from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Tonto Apache Tribe, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Hualapai Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Mesca-lero Apache Tribe, the Pueblo of Zuni and other Native Nations to respect their religious and cultural traditions. Instead, the bill waives compliance with NEPA, the Native American Graves Protection Act, and all other statutes that might give Tribes a voice. The final insult comes when the bill requires consultation with Native People—after the land exchange has occurred.