Medhini Kumar, medhini.kumar@sierraclub.org
Miya King-Flaherty, (505) 301 - 0863, miya.king-flaherty@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, December 14th at 5:00 p.m. ET, a delegation of Indigenous community leaders and Greater Chaco protectors are traveling from New Mexico to Washington, D.C. to speak about the threats the Greater Chaco Landscape faces from oil and gas extraction at the D.C. premiere film screening of Our Story: The Indigenous Led Fight to Protect Greater Chaco (film trailer).
For years, Diné (Navajo) and Pueblo people directly impacted by oil and gas extraction in the Greater Chaco region have organized to protect the well-being of their communities, sacred sites, and the integrity of the landscape – but rarely is this story of extraction and land defense told from their perspectives.
Our Story (47- minutes) emerges from a long-standing collaboration between local Diné leaders in the Greater Chaco region, Pueblo organizers, and a small team of community-engaged media makers to share the story of the Indigenous-led fight to protect this sacred landscape.
For over a century, federal agencies have treated the Greater Chaco Landscape as a national sacrifice zone. Legacies of oil and gas, coal, and uranium extraction have led to major public health, environmental, and climate harms despite ongoing calls from frontline communities and the Greater Chaco Coalition/Frack Off Chaco for federal agencies to fully analyze and address the cumulative impacts of drilling in the region, and to prioritize public health and environmental justice.
Following the film, there will be a panel discussion and audience Q & A with advocates from the Greater Chaco Coalition.
WHAT: Our Story film screening and panel Q&A
PANELISTS:
- Council Delegate Daniel Tso - 24th Navajo Nation Council
- Samuel Sage - Board Vice President, Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment (C.A.R.E.)
- Mario Atencio - Greater Chaco Energy Organizer, Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment (C.A.R.E.)
- Somah Haaland - Media Organizer, Pueblo Action Alliance
- Kendra Pinto - Four Corners Indigenous Community Field Advocate, Earthworks
WHEN: Wednesday, December 14th, 5:00 p.m. ET
- 5:00 - 6:00 pm: Catered reception
- 6:00 pm: Program start
- 6:15 pm: Land acknowledgment
- 6:30 - 7:20 pm: Film
- 7:20 - 8:30 pm: Panel discussion and audience Q&A
- 8:30 pm: Mingle/socialize for 30 minutes
WHERE: The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, First St NE, Washington, DC 20515
(The reception and film will be held in the Senate Visitor Center room 201/200)
RSVP: There will be a guest list for attendance. Please RSVP and send confirmation of attendance and number of guests to Miya King-Flaherty at miya.king-flaherty@sierraclub.org.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.