December 27, 2004
Defenders Special? Meeting notes? 12-27-04

Prayer: Jace DeCory

Opening remarks: Charmaine White Face, Coordinator

Introductions

Main Topic: Homestake Mine

Although Defenders have spoken about Homestake Mine in previous meetings, no position was ever taken.? Round table discussion on each persons' position regarding Homestake mine being converted into an underground laboratory. The consensus reached was that we do not support the mine being made into an underground laboratory. Charmaine will write up a position statement and get consensus on the statement from those attending the special meeting before publication.

Some comments: Homestake Mine is? a symbol of the demise of many Native American nations. The He?Sapa is the sacred heart of all that is for Tituwan peoples. The open cut at Homestake is a visible scar, but we cannot see what has been done underground.

Action strategies

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority will be pushing the SD legislature to pass a law under eminent domain that will help get the land condemned underground and make it easier to convert the mine into a laboratory. (See the 12/03/2004 eminent domain article in RC Journal.)

The Science and Technology Authority is also going to ask the SD Legislature to amend the open-meetings law. Will the public be locked out of decision making?? The South Dakota Investment Council also seeks to clarify the Science and Technology Authorities ability to invest money. Who are the people who head these authorities and how are they put in these positions?? (Anyone?)

1.) Jace will research the S D legislative procedures for hearing dates and a copy of the bill.

2.) Ingrid will work at obtaining Lead and Deadwood info: maps, who owns what, industry-private-civic-forest service-BLM.

3.) Write articles and letters to the editor.? (Everyone can do this.)

4.) Need to continue to educate the public about present and future water contamination caused by mining.? (Who will do this?)

5.) What are the positions of the city and county governments about condemning the land underneath them and individuals? (Who will do this?)

6.) Will toxic wastes be brought to the science lab under the guise of the studying neutrinos? Do we want a waste dump in the middle of the He?Sapa? (How can we be assured the lab won't become a waste site?)

7.) Need to Research Superfund site designation regarding Homestake and other mining sites in the He?Sapa. (Who will do this?)

8.)? Write letters of appeal to Barrick Mining Co. to educate them about the cultural importance of the He'Sapa and the history of what happened to Native Nations because of Homestake.? (Everyone can do this.)

9.) Develop a fact sheet on Homestake Mine. (We will do at the office with input from everyone. Send info to the office.)

10.) Contact and keep updating attorneys who might be willing to help with this issue. (Who will do this?)

11.) Increase allies on this issue.

Check out Wolakota.org

Reports at the next Bear Butte Preservation Task Force supper meeting, Thursday, Jan. 6th ,6 p.m.
at Nancy Kile's home in Sturgis, call 605-720-0282 for directions.
Closing Prayer: Nancy Kile

Potluck