Apache Stronghold Challenges Oak Flat Land Transfer in Federal Court
Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Western Apaches and allies, has filed an updated lawsuit in federal district court to prevent the transfer of Oak Flat, a sacred Native American site, to Resolution Copper, a mining company. The lawsuit challenges the federal government's decision to transfer the land, which is set to be developed into a massive underground mine. This development would result in the collapse of the site, effectively ending Apache religious practices tied to the land. Oak Flat, known as Chi’chil Biłdagoteel, has been a site for sacred ceremonies for generations and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The land transfer was authorized in 2014 through a provision in a defense bill, and Apache Stronghold argues that this was done to avoid judicial review. 
