Pitfalls and Pipelines - Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links

266 Pitfalls and Pipelines: Indigenous Peoples and Extractive Industries
Ms Cavanaugh-Bill then addressed one of the major issues being faced
by the Shoshone at present, namely the Barrick Gold’s Cortez Gold Mine
at Mt. Tenabo (also know as Cortez Hills). She explained that the project
had led to the rounding up of Shoshone horses and actions for trespass
against the Shoshone in their own lands. Dialogues with the Shoshone
failed to address the main concerns of the traditional elders in relation to
the impacts of mining at Mt Tenabo, a sacred mountain, which Shoshone
creation stories say will cause death and destruction if damaged. Instead
dialogues had focused on the company’s social responsibility programs,
under which scholarships were made dependant on the Mt Tenabo mine
proceeding.
In November 2007, despite the vocal opposition of the Western Shoshone,
and massive international support for their cause, the Bureau of Land
Management approved the Mt. Tenabo mine. The impacted Shoshone
communities filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the project. In
the ensuring case, Barrick presented Shoshone witnesses from nonimpacted
communities to testify in Court in favor of economic benefits and
against protection of the Mt Tenabo.
The Western Shoshone lands are also home to hot springs. These
springs form part of the Shoshone creation stories and spiritual beliefs.
Ms Cavanaugh-Bill illustrated how the recent “geothermal rush” was
destroying many of these geysers, with Nevada now described as the
next “Saudi Arabia” of Geothermal Energy Development. Despite the
importance of these geysers to the Shoshone, however, there had been
no Shoshone involvement in decisions pertaining to their usage.
Ms Cavanaugh-Bill argued that large corporations are accountable
to the international community and that it is therefore possible to
apply pressure on them to influence their behavior. Actions—such as
informing shareholders through attendance at company Annual General
Meetings, countering public relations exercises by insisting on inherent
responsibilities and rights, and targeting consumers through campaigns
such as “No Dirty Gold”—could supplement legal action.
In her conclusion Ms Cavanaugh-Bill concentrated on the strategies
of resistance used by the Shoshone in their pursuit of justice. She
emphasized that these strategies always had a spiritual element to them
and had as their central aims the protection of Shoshone lands and
Shoshone decision making. Among the core elements of their strategy
were the building of alliances together and outreach and education
activities.