Apache tribes hopeful last ditch effort will preserve sacred land
PHOENIX (AZFamily)—The clock is now ticking for an Arizona federal judge to rule on a controversial land swap that could happen as early as mid-June. Native tribes argue that transferring land in the Tonto National Forest to a multinational mining company will damage their sacred bond with the land.
“So many things are happening under our feet. And they will say, ‘Well, we told you. You did nothing’,” said an Apache Tribe leader.
On Wednesday, a coalition of Apaches and their allies gathered outside the Phoenix federal courthouse. Inside, a judge heard oral arguments that could decide the future of Oak Flat, a piece of land tribes say is sacred.
The hearing is a last-ditch effort to prevent the federal government from transferring the land to Resolution Copper, a mining company, while the U.S. Supreme Court considers the case.
“To know that the United States has entrust responsibility to the Native Americans and they forfeit all of that right in front of us, nowhere in there did the United States care about our children,” said the Apache Tribe leader.
It’s been a decade-long battle for tribes.
“I stand here ready to fight, ready to pray, ready to sing, ready to dance just as those before me,” said a speaker.
In 2014, the U.S. Senate voted to transfer 2,422 acres of land, which sits on a large copper deposit, to Resolution. Oak Flat is part of that land. In exchange, the company would give up 5,459 acres of private land around Arizona.
The company claims the mine will produce 40 billion pounds of copper, bring about a billion dollars a year to Arizona, and create thousands of jobs.
But tribal members fear the mining will destroy Oak Flat.
“For us, this is a place of holy ground. This is our church. This is where we come to celebrate, and where we practice our ceremonies at,” said Dallas Cummings, a tribal advocate.
The federal judge is expected to make a decision on May 14th.
A spokesperson shared a statement with Arizona’s Family.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2025 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.
