A federal court has dismissed an Apache group's effort to halt a land swap for a copper mine at Oak Flat, a sacred site, setting a potential Supreme Court challenge.
Debra Utacia Krol reports for the Arizona Republic.
In short:
- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Apache Stronghold, which aimed to protect Oak Flat, a sacred Apache site, from being turned into a copper mine.
- The court found the mine wouldn't significantly impact First Amendment religious practice rights, despite the site's sacred significance to the Apache people.
- Resolution Copper's project is touted for its economic benefits, but faces opposition for desecrating a site sacred to Indigenous people and environmental concerns.
Key quote:
"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."
— Wendsler Nosie, head of Apache Stronghold
Why this matters:
This decision is is unlikely to be the final word on this controversial copper mine and the broader national debate around religious freedom, environmental stewardship, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. What would a just energy transition look like for US tribes?
