To: Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Governor Dayton do not endorse Sandpiper and Polymet proposals
Treaties matter. These proposals violate treaty's with Minnesota Ojibwa of 1837, 1855 and 1867, and a violation of 2007 UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted by UN General Assembly.
Why is this important?
The United States Republican controlled House of Representatives pushed really hard a few months ago to force Keystone Pipeline approval. Had that pipeline been approved it would have been considered an 'act of war' against the Rosebud and Oglala Sioux tribes and a violation of Tribal Sovereignty and Treaties of 1861 and 1868. Republicans were so eager to receive their Christmas bonus from wealthy backers of Keystone they willingly accepted War. President Obama, in an act of great courage vetoed the entire thing.
Governor Dayton you are now faced with violation of Tribal Sovereignty and violation of the Treaties of 1837,1855 and 1867 if you accept these proposals. Minnesota will be declaring War on a Sovereign Nation and will also be in violation of the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted by the General Assembly.
And Minnesota has no legal authority to Declare War or Commit an Act of War against a Sovereign Nation. Minnesota Republicans have no issue with Declaring War on the Ojibwa so they can receive their Christmas bonus from the Wealthy Backers of both Polymet and Sandpiper. Gaawin Geyaabi: No More!
Sandpiper pipeline and the Polymet proposal share many evils in common. Building of a pipeline through White Earth’s wild rice stands could have severe effects on tribal members’ ability to harvest — a right guaranteed under the 1837 treaty and upheld by the Supreme Court. The thing about treaties is that they’re the “supreme law of the land.” At least that’s what Article VI of the Constitution says, and without compensation for those rights, White Earth says, the Sandpiper is violating the treaty. Polymet' sulfide mining has never been done in Minnesota. While iron mines have significant environmental challenges of their own, the sulfuric acid that is produced with sulfide mining makes it particularly difficult to avoid polluting nearby lakes, streams and ground water. And Rice Beds.
The sulfide mining industry also has a long track record of financial irresponsibility. Many companies go bankrupt or fail to provide enough “financial assurance” – a damage deposit up front – to cover the costs of dealing with pollution. This has left some states and their taxpayers with hundreds of millions of dollars in liability.
Governor Dayton, do not go down in disgrace in Minnesota history as Minnesota’s previous Governor Ramsey's administration did. Former Governor Ramsey called for the “Extermination or Removal” of the Dakota People. From an order issued by the state's Adjutant General, Oscar Malmros, on July 4, 1863, calling for a $200.00 bounty per head on all Dakota People. The Tribe fled Keoxa; Homeland; and the Winona Area. This had been their home for up to 12,000 years. They swore never to return until this Bounty was dropped. A few did not make it across the Minnesota border.
In State vs Gut, Mr. Gut murdered an innocent Native. He was tried for murder and appealed his conviction to the Minnesota Supreme Court. In 1868 the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected his appeal and declared the $200.00 bounty as Unconstitutional. He further appealed in 1870 to the U.S. Supreme Court, which also rejected his appeal and affirmed the Minnesota Supreme Court decision declaring as Unconstitutional, the bounty on the Dakota. Minnesota neglected to inform the Dakota that the bounty was dropped. To this very day they believe this bounty exists. It has been gone for 153 years!
Governor Dayton, do not go down in history as the Minnesota Governor who engaged in an Illegal War against Native Americans.
Governor Dayton you are now faced with violation of Tribal Sovereignty and violation of the Treaties of 1837,1855 and 1867 if you accept these proposals. Minnesota will be declaring War on a Sovereign Nation and will also be in violation of the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted by the General Assembly.
And Minnesota has no legal authority to Declare War or Commit an Act of War against a Sovereign Nation. Minnesota Republicans have no issue with Declaring War on the Ojibwa so they can receive their Christmas bonus from the Wealthy Backers of both Polymet and Sandpiper. Gaawin Geyaabi: No More!
Sandpiper pipeline and the Polymet proposal share many evils in common. Building of a pipeline through White Earth’s wild rice stands could have severe effects on tribal members’ ability to harvest — a right guaranteed under the 1837 treaty and upheld by the Supreme Court. The thing about treaties is that they’re the “supreme law of the land.” At least that’s what Article VI of the Constitution says, and without compensation for those rights, White Earth says, the Sandpiper is violating the treaty. Polymet' sulfide mining has never been done in Minnesota. While iron mines have significant environmental challenges of their own, the sulfuric acid that is produced with sulfide mining makes it particularly difficult to avoid polluting nearby lakes, streams and ground water. And Rice Beds.
The sulfide mining industry also has a long track record of financial irresponsibility. Many companies go bankrupt or fail to provide enough “financial assurance” – a damage deposit up front – to cover the costs of dealing with pollution. This has left some states and their taxpayers with hundreds of millions of dollars in liability.
Governor Dayton, do not go down in disgrace in Minnesota history as Minnesota’s previous Governor Ramsey's administration did. Former Governor Ramsey called for the “Extermination or Removal” of the Dakota People. From an order issued by the state's Adjutant General, Oscar Malmros, on July 4, 1863, calling for a $200.00 bounty per head on all Dakota People. The Tribe fled Keoxa; Homeland; and the Winona Area. This had been their home for up to 12,000 years. They swore never to return until this Bounty was dropped. A few did not make it across the Minnesota border.
In State vs Gut, Mr. Gut murdered an innocent Native. He was tried for murder and appealed his conviction to the Minnesota Supreme Court. In 1868 the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected his appeal and declared the $200.00 bounty as Unconstitutional. He further appealed in 1870 to the U.S. Supreme Court, which also rejected his appeal and affirmed the Minnesota Supreme Court decision declaring as Unconstitutional, the bounty on the Dakota. Minnesota neglected to inform the Dakota that the bounty was dropped. To this very day they believe this bounty exists. It has been gone for 153 years!
Governor Dayton, do not go down in history as the Minnesota Governor who engaged in an Illegal War against Native Americans.