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 n Oct 27, the Bureau of Land Man agement ("BLM")
has announced the withdrawal of 9,360 acres of lands in the Indian
Pass area of Imperial County from mineral entry to protect archaeological
and cultural resources sacred to the Quechan Indian Tribe and
other Colorado River peoples. The land order has been in process
for several years.
 "We have been fighting this for awhile and we will continue to fight to protect our history, just like anyone else in the United States would," stated Mike Jackson, Sr., President of the Quechan Tribal Council. He added that, "This is very important to our people -- something we need to preserve once it's gone it is gone forever."
The area in
question is very important to the history, religion and present
traditional cultural use and future use by the Quechan people,
and other Colorado River tribes.
Courtney Ann
Coyle, Attorney for the Quechan Tribe stated, this action is,
"A great step forward towards appropriate management of
this culturally important area." She added, "However,
withdrawal will only truly accomplish its purpose if the proposed
Glamis Imperial mine is denied."
The proposed
Glamis Imperial Mine is a massive, open-pit, cyanide heap-leach
goldmine that would be located in the heart of the area now withdrawn
from future mining claims. The proposed mine has drawn substantial
opposition from Native American tribes, labor groups, environmental
organizations, academia and experts in religion.
The Quechan
Indian Tribe is a federally-recognized tribe. Members on the
reservation total about 3,000 persons. The Quechan are the third
largest California land-based tribe, with about 45,000 acres
in reservation status. Their aboriginal lands include the area
withdrawn today. Many members still speak their native language.
Pauline Owl, chairperson of the Quechan Culture Committee observed that, "BLM's action today shows that sacred sites are indeed more precious than gold." 
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