Dear President Trump

(Image: Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr. in front of White House during the week the Apache Stronghold was in D.C. to appeal their case against the U.S. to the Supreme Court, Sept. 9, 2024)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2025

This morning, representatives from Apache Stronghold delivered a letter (see below) to President Donald Trump, requesting that he halt a controversial mega mine proposal in Southern Arizona. The mine would decimate an Apache sacred site at Chi'chil Biłdagoteel, or Oak Flat.

The letter comes in the midst of several court proceedings including a successful stay in the federal court. The letter highlights the inconsistency of the Trump administration's policies to block Chinese trade while allowing a foreign company such as Rio Tinto with Chinese investment to mine one of the United States' largest copper deposit.

"The Forest Service is about to give away America's second-largest copper deposit supply to a Chinese-owned company that will rob the American people by shipping the copper to China - and in the process, destroy a Native American sacred site, devastate pristine Arizona wilderness, and guzzle vast amounts of water needed by ordinary Arizona citizens."

Oak Flat is an area east of Phoenix, Arizona. The Apache Stronghold, as well as many environmental groups, tribes, faith groups, and recreation advocates have been fighting a proposed mine there for nearly two decades.