YANKTON SIOUX TRIBE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 06, 2015 CONTACT: Thomasina Real Bird, General Counsel, Yankton Sioux Tribe (303) 673-9600 Faith Spotted Eagle, Ihanktonwan Treaty Chair (605) 481-0416 YANKTON SIOUX CONTINUES ITS STAND AGAINST KXL Despite the PUC’s motion to deny the Yankton Sioux Tribe’s Motion to Dismiss TransCanada’s Application to Certify the Keystone XL pipeline, the Tribe continues its stand against the project. In a decisive move, the Tribe filed a motion to dismiss challenging TransCanada’s proposal to change the findings of fact ordered by the PUC in 2010 when it granted the permit. There is simply no process other than an appeal of the 2010 decision or a reconsideration of the 2010 to revisit those findings of fact. The ruling comes in the wake of the Commission’s decision to limit the parties to discovery so as to not allow the conditions contained in the 2010 permit to be revisited, yet now will allow TransCanada to revisit the findings of fact. This amounts to double-speak and is a deviation from what the Legislature meant to permit when it passed the laws. This is an unprecedented application of the law that many consider to step into the role of the legislature. Yankton Elder Sharon Drapeau observed, “It was expected but the decision is not anything that will deter us from continuing to oppose the Keystone XL project.” “Ihanktonwan appreciated the powerful coalition that came together today to stand against the human rights violations and the concocted processes. It is clear that the Commission is walking in unfamiliar territory,” Ihanktonwan Treaty Chair Faith Spotted Eagle stated. “I would like to thank the tribes and organizations that supported Yankton’s motion to dismiss and we look forward to participating in this case as it moves forward with that unified approach,” stated Thomasina Real Bird, General Counsel for the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Although dissatisfied, the Tribe is even more determined in continuing to oppose the Keystone XL project. The next step is it to submit discovery and engage TransCanada in that process. The SD intervenor process is reflecting the voices of citizens who are sending a loud message to elected congressional and state officials who do not represent a strong constituency of landowners, both private and tribal. A large number of tribal youth were present to engage in a battle that will affect their future in a negative manner. For more questions contact: Thomasina Real Bird (303)673 9600 or Faith Spotted Eagle at (605) 481 0416.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 01:46:34 +0000
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