#NativeAmericanCalling - #OilDrilling vs #CulturalPreservation at #ChacoCanyon

May 27, 2026 By Art Hughes

"The #Trump administration is moving to undo a 20-year ban on #OilAndGasDrilling near Chaco Canyon, a place of major cultural significance to #pueblos in the Southwest. The threat of new oil leases on nearly 340,000 acres of #PublicLand surrounding Chaco Canyon has put the site on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s [#NTHP] list of America’s #MostEndangeredSpaces. It is the second time on the same list for the land that is already a protected National Historic Park and a #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite. The moratorium was instituted in 2023 by then-Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who is a Laguna Pueblo citizen. We’ll hear about the options ahead for the land and the cultural significance it holds."

Listen:
https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/wednesday-may-27-2026-oil-drilling-vs-cultural-preservation-at-chaco-canyon/

#NativeAmericanNews #IndigenousNews #ProtectTheSacred #CulturalGenocide #BigOilAndGas #TrumpSucks #USPol #Oiligarch #CorporateColonialism #CorporateGreed #FossilFuels #FossilFools

#Australia - ‘Gone forever’: political anger after #NSW #Aboriginal #HeritageSite bulldozed for power lines

The #RockShelter was destroyed by contractors building #TransmissionLines for the Central-West Orana #RenewableEnergyZone

Petra Stock
Wed 27 May 2026

"#Indigenous community members have described their shock and anger after an Aboriginal rock shelter was 'damaged beyond recovery' by contractors building transmission lines for a #NewSouthWales renewable energy zone.

"The #HeritageSite was destroyed by bulldozers in March during the construction of access tracks for the #CentralWestOrana renewable energy zone, a transmission line project located about 300km north-west of #Sydney.

"The network company #Acerez, engaged by the state government to design, build and operate the infrastructure project, discovered the damage in May while undertaking due diligence checks.

"A company spokesperson said processes to protect the shelter 'were not fully implemented'.

" 'We are deeply sorry and apologise without reservation to the #TraditionalOwners and to the local community,' they said."

Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/27/aboriginal-rock-shelter-destroyed-power-line-contractors-nsw-renewable-energy-zone-ntwnfb

#IndigenousAustralians #ProtectTheSacred #IndigenousNews

Community shocked after Aboriginal rock shelter bulldozed for NSW power lines

The heritage site was destroyed by contractors building transmission lines for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone

The Guardian

‘Going green now for who?’ Yakama protest clean energy project on sacred site to power data center

Mounting evidence shows that a clean energy project along the Columbia River in Washington near a Yakama sacred site would in large part power a data center

by Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle, May 28. 2026

GOLDENDALE, Wash. – "High up on the Washington side of the Columbia River near the John Day hydroelectric dam, members of the #YakamaNation gathered to protest a clean energy storage project slated to be built on a #SacredTribalSite.

'Supporters of the #Goldendale pumped-hydro energy storage project have said it will help meet growing regional energy demand, and the project developers tout its potential to one day power up to half a million homes without sending harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But mounting evidence shows a large #Datacenter campus could be among the main beneficiaries of that power.

"At the event earlier this month, Yakama leaders and a handful of nonprofits fighting the project in federal court, including Hood-River based #ColumbiaRiverkeeper, called on Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to intervene after state and federal agencies issued key permits to the project developers, a process 10 years in the making. This was despite a state review finding that it would have 'significant and unavoidable adverse impacts' on Yakama historic sites and culturally significant plants.

"The 700-acre hydrostorage project is slated to be built on the contaminated grounds of an abandoned aluminum smelter formerly owned by #LockheedMartin, and, more broadly, a site that has long encroached on a sacred Yakama site called #Pushpum, meaning the 'Mother of all roots.'

"It’s home to #Yakama #ArchaeologicalSites and dozens of seeds, roots, flowers and shrubs harvested and protected by the tribe, some of which are endemic only to the area.

" 'I know we’re in a time when we need renewable energy, but why on our #RootGrounds? Why on critical #MigratoryCorridors for #hawks, for #SageGrouse and the deers?' asked #ElaineHarvey, a watershed manager at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and a member of the #Yakama’s #KamíłpaBand.

" 'And I say: For who are we building? We’re going green now for data centers,' she said. 'We’re not going green for Washington and Oregon state mandates. We’re going green for data centers.' "

"The project’s owners, the Danish investment firm #CopenhagenInfrastructurePartners, have not disclosed details about who would buy the energy."

Read more:
https://ictnews.org/uncategorized/going-green-now-for-who-yakama-protest-clean-energy-project-on-sacred-site-to-power-data-center/

#NoDatacenters #IndigenousNews #NativeAmericanNews #WashingtonState #Oregon #SacredPlants #ProtectTheSacred #CorporateGreed #RenewablesForPeopleNotCorporations

‘Going green now for who?’ Yakama protest clean energy project on sacred site to power data center

Mounting evidence shows that a clean energy project along the Columbia River in Washington near a Yakama sacred site would in large part power a data center

ICT

#Uranium company’s finalized #NewMexico plan includes treating, dumping water into nearby river

#DinéActivist says #EnergyFuels doesn’t understand #MountTaylor’s sacredness

Thursday, May 28, 2026
By Patrick Lohmann,

"A #Colorado uranium company recently submitted a finalized operation plan to New Mexico officials, signaling that it — along with multiple other out-of-state companies — is increasingly serious about mining uranium in the state.

"Energy Fuels, Inc. submitted a 273-page operations and '#reclamation' plan earlier this month that details how it plans to extract uranium from more than 1,600 feet below the surface within the #CibolaNationalForest boundaries in McKinley County, then transport it to its mill in #BlandingUT.

"New Mexico Environmental Law Center Legal Director Eric Jantz told Source NM on Tuesday that the plan represents the company’s renewed intent to receive a permit following more than a decade on hiatus.

" 'We’re taking it seriously,' he said of the plan. 'And we’re going to be doing what we can to make sure that this #EnvironmentalReview is done properly, and that community interests are protected.'

"The company’s plan describes how it would pump #groundwater from the mineshaft to access the #UraniumOre, then treat the water and release it into the nearby #RioSanJose. Jantz told Source NM that the 'dewatering”'of the mine is an immense technical undertaking and one that threatens to deplete the #groundwater supply during a period of prolonged #drought.

" 'It’s gonna deplete the water table in a significant radius around the proposed mine, and that water table won’t recover for decades, if ever,' he said.

"Energy Fuels officials did not respond to Source NM’s emailed request for comment Tuesday.

"In addition to the 'dewatering,' the proposed mine site lies within the boundaries of the Mount Taylor Traditional Cultural Property. Mount Taylor is sacred to several #Indigenous tribes and pueblos in New Mexico, including the #Navajo and #Laguna peoples.

"Energy Fuels’ operations plan notes that if its permit is approved, the company will take steps to preserve the 'viewshed' of Mount Taylor in recognition of the #SacredMountain and will, to the extent possible, 'protect scenic values' at the site.

"After reading that section of the plan, Diné anti-nuclear advocate #LeonaMorgan told Source NM that Energy Fuels officials clearly do not understand the value of Mount Taylor to the Navajo people.

" 'It’s not just a visual aspect. It’s not just to look at the mountain. It’s for the integrity of the mountain itself,' she said. 'When we’re talking about #SacredPlaces and #MotherEarth, these are our relatives. That’s how we consider them. They themselves have rights and definitely should not be basically raped and pillaged, which is what mining is.' "

Read more:
https://indianz.com/News/2026/05/28/source-new-mexico-uranium-mine-under-consideration-near-sacred-mount-taylor/

#NoUraniumMining #IndigenousResistance #ProtectTheSacred #IndigenousNews #NativeAmericanNews

Source New Mexico: Uranium mine under consideration near sacred Mount Taylor

“When we’re talking about sacred places and Mother Earth, these are our relatives,” said Navajo advocate Leona Morgan.

Indianz.Com

#NativeAmericaCalling: #BorderWall construction damaging #SacredSites

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

"Construction crews working on the wall on the #USMexico border in #Arizona significantly damaged a 1,000-year-old #geoglyph located in #CabezaPrieta #NationalWildlifeRefuge. It’s one of a number of places tribes on both sides of the border say are damaged or are threatened by the fast-tracked construction process. #Tribal leaders say such desecration is happening at a record pace after the #Trump administration sidelined #cultural and #environmental barriers to construction. We’ll hear from cultural historians and policy experts about that is being lost and what can be done about it.

Tune into Native America Calling to hear from cultural historians and policy experts about that is being lost and what can be done about it. "

Listen:
https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/tuesday-may-26-2026-border-wall-construction-causes-sacred-site-destruction/

#CulturalGenocide #Colonialism #USPol #NativeAmericanNews #ProtectTheSacred #NativeAmericans #TrumpBorderWall

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - Border wall construction damaging sacred sites » Native America Calling

Construction crews working on the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona significantly damaged a 1,000-year-old geoglyph located in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. It's one of a number of places tribes on both sides of the border say are damaged or are threatened by the fast-tracked construction process. Tribal leaders say such desecration is happening at a record pace after the Trump administration sidelined cultural and environmental barriers to construction. We’ll hear from cultural historians and policy experts about that is being lost and what can be done about it.

Native America Calling

Update on infected #GreenAsh trees. They were removed by #MaineDOT thoroughly, since they were on the public way. Good coordination with #MDIFW and #MDOT. (I praise MDOT when it's due...)

#EmeraldAshBorer #EmeraldAshBorerAwarenessWeek #SaveTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #MaineTrees

So, a lot of #AshTrees in #PortlandME have been taken down because of #EmeraldAshBorer . I came across a young #GreenAsh tree that seems to be healthy. I'm hoping it stays that way...

#EmeraldAshBorerAwarenessWeek #EAB #SaveTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #MaineTrees #Maine #SolarPunkSunday

#Maine - This is #EmeraldAshBorer Awareness Week

"The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service is asking residents, landowners, and municipalities to help slow the spread of the invasive emerald ash borer (#EAB), a destructive insect responsible for killing millions of ash trees across North America.

As the emerald ash borer continues to threaten Maine’s forests and communities, the Maine Forest Service encourages the public to learn how to identify #AshTrees and signs of infestation, participate in monitoring efforts, and help prevent the spread of invasive pests.

Here are five ways to help slow EAB:

White vs brown Ash

Learn how to identify ash trees
May is a great time to identify ash trees. While all the other hardwood trees are leafing out, Maine's ash trees still look like sticks in the sky. For white and green ash, look for opposite branching and small, ridged bark arranged in a diamond pattern. Brown ash bark (also known as black ash) is characteristically gray to dark gray, with a spongy, corky texture.

Ash Blonding

Learn how to identify signs of emerald ash borer

Now that you know what an ash tree looks like, look for signs of emerald ash borer in the trees. You may spot "blonding" on ash trees, the shallow flecking of the bark by woodpeckers going after EAB larvae and pupae. If you think you see "blonding," take some good quality photos, note your location, and report your findings on the EAB Report Form.

Learn how to identify emerald ash borer
Chances are, you won't see EAB adults in May, but come June, you may see some as they start to emerge from ash trees. If you think you see an EAB, try to capture it or take a photo and report your findings on the EAB Report Form.

Create a girdled ash tree to monitor for emerald ash borer

Your tree can be part of the EAB monitoring network. Knowing the whereabouts of EAB helps the DACF and others make good management decisions about ash.

Leave your firewood at home and prevent the spread of invasive pests
Planning a camping trip? Learn about Maine’s firewood laws, and get your firewood at the campground or go to FirewoodScout.org to find other local sources.

For more information about emerald ash borer, identification resources, and reporting tools, visit the Maine Forest Service Emerald Ash Borer page."

Maine DACF Emerald Ash Borer Page:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/eab/index.shtml

Source:
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/MEDACF-4183cfe?wgt_ref=MEDACF_WIDGET_161

#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #NatureConservation #ProtectTheSacred #AshTrees

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) : Forest Health & Monitoring : Maine Forest Service : Maine Agriculture, Conservation, Forestry (DACF)

May 17–23 is #EmeraldAshBorer Awareness Week: Here’s What You Need to Know

By Ginger Nickerson, May 20, 2026

"The emerald ash borer (#EAB) has been in #Vermont since 2018, when it was first found in northern Orange County. Since then, it has spread to every county except Essex County and is in 145 of Vermont’s 247 municipalities.

"The EAB is a beetle introduced from Asia that attacks all native ash trees (trees in the Fraxinus genus). If trees are not treated, this insect is expected to kill nearly 99% of Vermont’s ash trees.

"To raise awareness about this pest and the damage it causes, May 17–23 has been named National Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week. The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry program is helping by sharing and encouraging people to get involved. Vermonters can learn about the pest, host a neighborhood tree-tagging event, or share information on social media.

"An online Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week toolkit is available on the Vermont Invasives website: go.uvm.edu/invasivesorg-toolkit. It includes posters, videos, sample social media posts, and resources for educators. It also has guides for identifying ash trees and tips for leading tree walks or ash tagging events."

FMI:
https://thebridgevt.org/2026/05/may-17-23-is-emerald-ash-borer-awareness-week-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #AshTrees

U.S. is Dynamiting #Kumeyaay #SacredMountain for #BorderWall Expansion

Kumeyaay's sacred mountain is being dynamited at the same time Hia-Ced #Oodham's sacred place is being bulldozed for this border wall on the #Arizona border.

By #BrendaNorrell, #CensoredNews, May 15, 2026

"The United States government is dynamiting the sacred place of Kumeyaay, who live on both sides of the border, and blasted two sacred monoliths that were 60 to 120 million years old. The U.S. began blasting #CerroCuchumá in early April, a historic and #SacredSite where their #MedicinePeople carry out ceremonies, without consultation as required by U.S. federal law."

Read more:
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2026/05/us-is-dynamiting-kumeyaay-sacred.html

#USPol #ProtectTheSacred #DefundCBP #RespectTheTreaties #TohonoOodham #KumeyaayPeople #NativeAmericans #SacredSites #SacredLand #NoBorders

U.S. is Dynamiting Kumeyaay Sacred Mountain for Border Wall Expansion

Censored News is a service to grassroots Indigenous Peoples engaged in resistance and upholding human rights.