Native America Calling

Tribal leaders say border wall construction is destroying cultural and environmental treasures. Here, saguaro cacti and other vegetation are removed to make way for the wall through Organ Pipe Cactus National Park in Arizona (Photo: Laiken Jordahl, Center for Biological Diversity).

Monday, March 2, 2020 – Border wall construction ignores tribal concerns

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The chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation says the current wall construction on the U.S. – Mexico border is no different than “building a 30-foot wall along Arlington Cemetery.” Ned Norris Jr. made the comments during a recent congressional hearing, saying blasting and bulldozing in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona is destroying many sacred places that remain important for ceremonial practices. The tribe continues to push for government-to-government consultation which is mandated by federal law. But the U.S. Government is invoking a waiver that bypasses the requirement for barriers along the border. We’ll get an update and more details from the voices of those on the ground.

Guests:

Christina Andrews (Hia-Ced Hemajkam and Tohono O’odham) – chairwoman of the Hia-Ced Hemajkam

Kevin Allis (Forest County Potawatomi Community) – Chief Executive Officer of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Victor Garcia (descendent of the Hia-Ced O’odham) – activist

Shannon Keller O’Loughlin (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) – executive director of the Association on American Indian Affairs

 

Break 1 music: Blackbird Song (song) Emma Francisco, Frances Manuel, Joaquin Garcia & Lorenzo Pablo (artist) Tohono O’odham –

Break 2 music: Makȟóčhe Kiŋ Theȟíla II (song) Alex Firethunder (artist) Love for the Land (album)

Comments

  1. Sandra G says

    Exactly. Let’s bulldoze Arlington, much less important and valuable than this national park. Disgusting u.s govt!! Sociopaths.

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