Oak Flat, Arizona: a site sacred to the San Carlos Apache, a beloved climbing area, a rare riparian zone in the desert. The catch? It’s slated to become the largest copper mine in the history of North America. Days before the land was set to transfer to the mining company, a group of Native high school students ran 188 miles to Oak Flat– joining a cry of protest loud enough to reach the ears of the White House. We dive into the fight to possess and protect a place with incredible spiritual and economic power.
Ways to take action
Call or write your representatives. Yes, it works! The Save Oak Flat Act needs additional co-sponsors. You can write them through one of the handy tools below. (Think they may have signed? Check House of Reps and Senate co-sponsors)
Arizona Mining Reform Coalition
Center for Biological Diversity
Support Apache Stronghold
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Sunset by Kai Engel • July by Kai Engel • Numb by Cleod9 • Loops to Aviemore by The Freeharmonic Orchestra • Defend The Sacred by Ed Kabotie • Protect Oak Flat by Ed Kabotie • Jaco 2 by Bradley Carter • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
One of the most emotional episodes I have heard. My Rep Huffman was a co-sponsor; Senator Alex Padilla signed 3/25 so I will reach out to Senator Diane Feinstein. Is there a plan that could extract copper yet be environmentally engaged? Please keep the community enlightened.
What a great episode. Thanks to Dirtbag Diaries for this one. Good to give all sides an airing, but it’s clear this project will be disastrous.
Excellent reporting. It moved me to action. This should be bigger story. Thank you.