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Environmental Justice and Community Partnerships:
Tribal Partnerships

July 21, 2009
Grand Canyon Area Protected from Mining

Conservationists and Havasupai tribal leaders are applauding action announced July 20 by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to temporarily place 1 million acres of public lands surrounding the Grand Canyon off limits to new mining claims and exploration or development of existing, unpatented claims.

Havasupai Tribe Vice Chairman Matthew Putesoy said, "It is a good effort to protect the Grand Canyon from further drilling and protection of the groundwater, which could impact our drinking water. We are thankful for Secretary Salazar's actions." However, the Grand Canyon and nearby communities are still under threat from uranium mining. Sierra Club will continue to work to make this temporary block into a permanent one. We also will continue to support our tribal partners, including the Havasupai Tribe, in protecting important sacred lands in and around the Grand Canyon. Keep up to date on uranium mining in that area by visiting the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Flagstaff, Arizona Sierra Club staff and local activists say thank you to Interior Secretary Salazar and Congressman Grijalva for helping to protect the Grand Canyon.

April 4, 2009
Field Report: Cameron's Gathering for Mother Earth
Dzil Lebei Elementary School, Cameron, Arizona
By Andy Bessler

On Saturday, April 4th, I helped families in the Navajo community of Cameron just north of Flagstaff, AZ organize a Gathering for Mother Earth.It was a great success with over 200 folks attending the full day's event. I joined a great list of speakers who talked about a transition to a greener economy in a post-petroleum era. Read more.

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About the Tribal Partnerships Program:
The Sierra Club partnership program works with tribal partners across Indian Country to bring powerful protection to Mother Earth. Some of the work we do includes:

Visionary Solutions:

• Time for a Just Transition from dirty coal to clean renewable energy.
• Assisting the Navajo and Hopi tribes to build strong tribal economies with clean renewable energy like wind and solar energy development.
• Strategic empowerment through training and providing information to tribal activists working for environmental protection.

Protecting our Natural Heritage:

• Protecting Sacred Lands: Homeland Security since 1492! The Partnership Program assists the EJ program with the Save the Peaks Campaign.
• Organizing events with tribal partners like the Mother Earth Gathering in the Grand Canyon with the Havasupai Tribe.
• Consulting with Sierra Club groups, chapters and other Sierra Club programs to build stronger tribal partnerships troughout the country.

Building Community:

• Working on the Rez and beyond....Reaching out to tribal communities on environmental education and building bridges with the Sierra Club. This includes trainings and support for grassroots organizing in tribal communities.
• The Partnership Program has helped organize Paatuwaqatsi Runs (Water is Life Runs) on Hopi's First Mesa. These long distance runs visits traditional springs and educates the Hopi public about their traditions surrounding water. Sierra Club works with tribal partners for environmental protection.