[E-rundbrief] Info 2057 - IENEARTH - Biden Revokes Keystone XL

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief Info 2057 - IENEARTH (USA): Biden Revokes Keystone XL (Gas 
Pipeline), Indigenous Leaders Celebrate and Push for Stronger Action.

Bad Ischl,22.1.2021

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Biden Revokes Keystone XL, Indigenous Leaders Celebrate and Push for 
Stronger Action

     January 20, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jennifer K. Falcon, jennifer at ienearth.org, +1 218-760-9958

Bemidji, MN (January 20, 2021) – Today, President Biden officially 
revoked the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. This tar 
sands project, owned by TC Energy, has been challenged by the 
Indigenous Environmental Network since its first permit hearings back 
in 2010. While this is a substantial victory for the Indigenous 
peoples who have been in this fight for over a decade we must not 
forget about our relatives fighting Line 3,the Dakota Access Pipeline 
and other fossil fuel projects poisoning our communities and fueling 
the climate emergency.

“It is imperative that we keep the pressure on President-elect Biden 
to put an end to ALL fossil fuel infrastructure and projects, making 
the ones that are near or on indigenous territories of top priority. 
We love that KXL will be extinguished but what about Line 3, 
TransMountain, and numerous others? Every project brought back to the 
desk of elected officials needs to first be in the hands of the 
indigenous people with indigenous voices having the first and last say 
over what happens to the land and water.” Said Tasina Sapa Win Smith, 
Co-founder of Cheyenne River Grassroots Collective.

The Keystone XL started as a tar sands campaign led by Cree, Dene and 
Metis families living with the toxic results of tar sands mining in 
Northern Alberta. We cherish their leadership and direction through 
this decades-long fight to stop the expansion of the Tar Sands. It was 
because of their struggle and our efforts to uplift the Indigenous 
Rights violations associated with tar sands development, we were able 
to demonstrate the power of Indigenous resistance and organizing.

“The KXL pipeline would have only deepened our mutual addiction to 
dirty oil and enable the ongoing expansion of the tar sands at the 
expense of our communities; as well as at the expense of advancing 
clean energy,” said Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Indigenous Climate Action 
Director of Just Transition.

Within the context of the Environmental Justice movement, it has 
always been a challenge for folks to understand the strategic value of 
an Indigenous Rights framework when it comes to protecting land and 
water. As Keystone XL became a marque struggle in the United States, 
it was our belief that allies could not talk about this fight without 
addressing the impacts on Indigenous Rights.

“This is a victory and hopefully this is the end of it. We have been 
fighting KXL ever since we heard about it. It was not only about 
treaty rights violations, it was also about dirty oil. It was about 
being in solidarity with the Dene and Cree people in Canada. The State 
department did not consult with us, they never paid attention to us. 
Maybe, now they will. Indigenous Peoples have always stood up for 
Mother Earth and we will never give up that fight.” said Rodney 
Bordeaux, President for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

The Keystone XL campaign provided tangible examples of how Indigenous 
Peoples not only maintain the moral authority to protect their 
territories but the legal right to deny consent to toxic projects.

“For over a decade, Indigenous peoples and our allies have prayed, 
cried, and demonstrated to stop this evil zombie pipeline. We look 
forward to hearing President Biden take further action by stopping 
DAPL and line 3. Nothing less than stopping these attacks by 
guaranteeing free, prior and informed consent and establishing a 
climate test will we consider to call this a complete victory. 
However, today is a great day. And I thank all that helped us get 
here.” said Joye Braun, Cheyenne River Lakota, Community Organizer 
with Indigenious Environmental Network

Extraction and pollution have poisoned Indigenous lands and bodies for 
long enough. Our votes were a mandate for Joe Biden to take bold 
action. Strengthening tribal sovereignty and our treaties must be 
built on a foundation of Free, Informed Prior Consent and stopping 
KXL, Line 3 and DAPL is a great start to that process.

“Once again our prayers were answered by our ancestors. It is a good 
victory, but we can’t forget how many times the government tried 
reviving the KXL pipeline. We are Oceti Sakowin and we have the power 
to make things better for the people,” said Angeline Cheek, Tate Ska 
Washte Win, Indigenous Justice Organizer, ACLU/Kokipasni Grassroots 
Group. “Through prayer there is unity and strength. Thank you to our 
spiritual leaders, elders, youth, communities, Grassroots organizers, 
supporters and allies. Mitakuye Oyasin.”

###

Established in 1990, The Indigenous Environmental Network is an 
international environmental justice nonprofit that works with tribal 
grassroots organizations to build the capacity of Indigenous 
communities. I EN’s activities include empowering Indigenous 
communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect 
our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, the health of 
both our people and all living things, and to build economically 
sustainable communities.

Learn more here: ienearth.org


-- 

     Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
     Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
     Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
     Wolfgangerstr. 26, 4820 Bad Ischl, Austria,
     fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
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