Alert from Defenders of the Black Hills
on the Coteau Mine Area Sacred Place


    This past Thursday, June 3, the Bureau of  Land Management held a public
meeting at Prairie Knights Casino on the Standing Rock Reservation regarding
the Coteau Properties Company Federal Coal Lease Application for West Mine
Area, Freedom Mine, in Mercer County ND. The BLM will conduct another hearing at
the Heritage Center, ND State Capitol on Wed., June 23, or written comments
can be sent to: Coal Team, BLM, ND Field Office, 2933 Third Avenue West,
Dickinson, ND 58601 by June 23.

    The Company wishes to strip mine coal on 17,000 acres.  However, the
activities will destroy 1,700 (one-thousand seven hundred) sacred sites and
burial places.  However, two (2) burial sites of white people will have a 100
foot buffer zone built around them.  Native American burial mounds will be
destroyed by heavy equipment, the rocks stockpiled in two small set-aside areas;
one of the small set-aside places being out of the large mining area.

    The North Dakota Public Service Commission has already granted approval
for this “surface disturbance”.  The North Dakota State Historic Preservation
Officer has also given approval.  The NDPSC is acting as the lead agency in
this combined federal, state, and private undertaking.

    Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Historic Preservation Office, Cheyenne River
Sioux Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Office, and the Defenders of the Black
Hills have requested and were granted a Hearing of the NDPSC’s decision.

    On Wednesday, June 9, at 1:30 pm CDT, a Hearing will be held at the ND
State Capitol, 12th Floor, Bismarck, ND.  The Hearing room will hold 50 people.

    A Prayer Gathering is planned for 1:00 pm CDT on the steps of the ND
State Capitol, Bismarck, ND, to pray for our ancestors who are buried in this
area, the sacred places located there, and that only good decisions will be
made with respect for this sacred place, and for ALL the people who will be
affected by these decisions. 

    Anyone who cares about the respect for these burial sites and sacred
places is asked to join us in prayer at 1:00 and to show their support during the
Hearing and outside on the Capitol grounds. 

    In order for many of us to arrive prior to 1:00 on Wednesday, it is
suggested that those traveling from far distances should arrive on Tuesday.  As gas
prices are increasing, Defenders will assist with some gas for vehicles
bringing people to the prayers and Hearing.  We have also asked for, and have
secured space to camp on Tuesday (June 8) night at United Tribes Technical and
Educational Center.  We are currently in the process of trying to secure dormitory
or other sleeping quarters for those who are unable to camp.  If you need
assistance with gas, or have a vehicle that can carry many people, please call
(605) 399-1868 – Defenders’ office number.  You may also call (605) 399-1851,
however that number cannot take messages.

    Defenders was able to stop the shooting range project at Bear Butte
because of prayers.  We need to pray together again to stop this largest
destruction in the nation of a sacred place. 

Thank you. 
Charmaine White Face, Coordinator