Yakama Nation protested proposed coal terminal in Boardman, Oregon today Strong support added by Lummi Nation May 20, 2014 Boardman, Ore.—The Yakama Nation, supported by leadership from the Lummi Nation, announced today its fierce opposition to the proposed Morrow Pacific coal terminal as both a violation of treaty rights and an assault on the health of tribal members, Columbia River Basin residents and aquatic habitat. “This proposed coal terminal represents an attack on Yakama Nation treaty rights, civil rights and human rights,” said Yakama Nation Chair JoDe L. Goudy. “It would destroy traditional Yakama fishing areas along the Columbia River and directly threaten the livelihood of tribal fishermen.” Yakama and Lummi tribal members demonstrated their opposition on the river waters that would be affected by the coal terminal. During the event, Yakama tribal members released wild rose to offer ceremonial protection of the area and for future generations. The proposed terminal by Ambre Energy would be located near the Yakama Nation’s historic treaty fishing sites on the Columbia River. Yakama Nation has been partnering with other tribal nations and state, federal and local governments to ensure that Yakama treaty rights are upheld. “The Lummi Nation has come here to support the Yakama Nation in the fight against coal in the Pacific Northwest,” said Lummi Nation tribal council member Jay Julius. Julius has led Lummi’s fight against the Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point in Washington state. “These coal terminals, whether in Boardman or at Cherry Point, put our livelihoods and our health in danger, and are a violation of treaty rights that were negotiated by our ancestors and agreed to by the American government,” he said. The Oregon State Department of State Lands will decide by May 31, 2014 whether to approve the coal terminal. If built, nine tons of coal would be transported out of the area annually, loaded on trains a mile and half in length. “The Yakama people have been fishing and hunting here since time immemorial,” Goudy said. “Our grandparents depended upon the river’s resources for subsistence, as will our children. The new coal terminal will put all that at risk.” The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation is made up of 10,570 tribal members and is recognized as a sovereign Indian nation by the United States government (12 Stat. 951). In the Treaty of 1855, the nation reserved the rights it had exercised in the Columbia River Basin for millennia, including hunting, fishing, gathering in all its usual and accustomed places; and the right to live free from any damages to those rights. For information about the Yakama Nation visit yakamanation-nsn.gov.
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 23:11:55 +0000
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