Abstract
Chi’chil Biłdagoteel, more commonly known as Oak Flat, is a sacred site for the Apache People in Arizona. More recently, it has become the focus of a legal battle between the Apache People and Resolution Copper, a company which plans to undertake a large-scale excavation of the site. The Apache nation recently lost a Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) appeal to protect the site on the grounds of religious freedom. This decision is reflective of a longstanding pattern of extractivism and exploitation of Indigenous lands across the U.S. This decision stands in direct opposition to land-based pedagogy and notions of Indigenous sovereignty and places an emphasis on colonial-capital relations. By denying the appeal on the grounds of religious freedom, SCOTUS is decentering Indigenous epistemologies and worldviews and ultimately reinforcing the underlying right-wing, Christian ideologies currently being propagated in American politics. SCOTUS’ decision to allow Resolution Copper to continue its excavation is perpetuating environmental, climate, and cultural violence. This paper examines the ideological, cultural, environmental, and political implications of this decision through a decolonial lens. It demonstrates that recognizing Indigenous Peoples as environmental stewards and protecting Indigenous land and sovereignty is an essential component of mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Presenters
Sarah SeroyMA Student, Communication and Journalism, University of New Mexico, New Mexico, United States Natalie Hamren
Student, MA Communication, University of New Mexico, New Mexico, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Indigenous Sovereignty, Indigenous Rights, Exctractivism, Environmental Disputes, Social Justice
