Help Bring Standing Rock Water Protectors to Loma de Bácum
The core mandate of Global Diversity Foundation’s North America programme is to support and strengthen Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination across Turtle Island. We see this as the most effective and ethical way to protect and revitalise the biocultural landscapes within which all life is embedded. Supporting Indigenous sovereignty, however, is not simply a route to a healthier environment, but is also a core responsibility for everyone occupying Turtle Island.
The clean air, waters, and lands that we all enjoy and profit from as inhabitants of Turtle Island are a result of thousands of years of Indigenous communities’ careful stewardship and relationship. These relationships form the threads in a rich tapestry of biocultural landscapes, and Indigenous communities have always worked hard to maintain these relationships.
2015 North American Community Environmental Leadership Exchange participants’ visions of healthy landscapes.
Recently the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota of Oceti Sakowin (the Great Sioux Nation) and their supporters have gained international recognition for their protection of their lands and waters against the threat of the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline, which would traverse the Missouri River. We at GDF North America celebrate the recent victory, the denial of the easement for pipeline construction on Lakota/Dakota/Nakota territory. These events provide evidence of the strength of Indigenous communities, and the incredible power of social movements built on strong alliances.
We need your help to carry on the great momentum of this Turtle Island Indigenous sovereignty movement, and help us bring Standing Rock water protectors to the Yaqui community of Loma de Bácum in Sonora, Mexico.
Sonora, in Mexico.
Right now, a friend is in danger for her work defending her community. Maria Anabela Carlon Flores is a Yaqui leader, a GDF collaborator, a human rights lawyer and wonderful person. She is a determined, highly educated Indigenous woman with a strong will and spirit. Her village, Loma de Bácum, is standing against a pipeline that the transnational company IEnova is attempting to build through their territory without the community’s consent. Despite a legal document issued by the local authority that mandates that the company stop any building activity within Loma de Bácum, construction continues. Anabela has been threatened for her opposition, and in December was kidnapped with her husband. Both have since been recovered, but they and others in the community remain in danger for their resistance to the pipeline.
For an interesting comparison between Loma de Bácum and Standing Rock struggles, please read this article.
Loma de Bácum has requested the support of Standing Rock water protectors to help them shed light on this issue, as the community has struggled to gain international attention for their plight. Loma de Bácum and Standing Rock face the same threat- a pipeline through their territory. The people of Loma de Bácum know that standing together, Indigenous communities are stronger.
Stunning Sonoran desert sunset.
We are asking for your support to bring a delegation of Standing Rock water protectors to Loma de Bácum, to share strategies, build relationships, bring media attention to this issue, and strengthen the bonds of Indigenous solidarity across Turtle Island.
100% of all funds raised will go directly to fund the budget travel expenses of Standing Rock water protectors, media support costs, and support for the community of Loma de Bácum to help them continue their resistance.
To contribute to this important work, you can donate via check, credit card, or Paypal by following the instructions here. Please designate your contribution for “Loma de Bacum”. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law in the U.S. and the U.K and Wales.