Apache Stronghold will file a petition with the US Supreme Court to Protect Oak Flat

June 21, 2025 in Faith In Action

Apache Stronghold vows to continue fighting to save sacred site from destruction

Washington, DC: On June 23, the Apache Stronghold will be filing a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to reconsider its refusal to hear our appeal. As you heard, two Justices voted to hear our case, calling it "vitally important," and criticizing the Ninth Circuit's ruling against us as "highly doubtful as a matter of law." In addition, any day now, the Supreme Court will issue its ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which is another case about government-imposed burdens on religious exercise. We think the Supreme Court's decision in Mahmoud will add further support to our case.

The fight to protect Apache Religious Freedom and the sacred land of Chi'chil Bildagoteel (Oak Flat) from destruction IS NOT OVER! Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr. and the Apache Stronghold will begin their journey to the Supreme Court on Thursday, June 19. We ask all our supporters to join with us in praying that the Supreme Court will reconsider its terrible decision not to hear our case.

Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr. reminds us that while we are petitioning the Supreme Court of this nation, there is a higher court with the Creator as judge that guides our journey. Just as Moses spoke in the Bible warning the people of breaking from God’s ways, we pray that this nation’s people and the Supreme Court will finally change their path of death and choose life. “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deut. 30:19)

Oak Flat Update

June 13, 2025 in Faith In Action

We received this update from Melanie Beikman of Arizona Power & Light:

Greetings Amicus Brief supporters of Apache Stronghold,

We have updates for you today. Last month we shared with you the news that Apache Stronghold’s case was not taken up by the Supreme Court. With the Trump Administration preparing to start the land transfer on June 16, the timeline for saving Oak Flat was very short. Now, the timeline has extended a bit. We want to share that development and the next steps for Apache Stronghold. And we will invite you to take action.

US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Petition from Apache Stronghold to Save Oak Flat

May 31, 2025 in Faith In Action

The US Supreme Court has refused to hear the petition of the Apache Stronghold to overrule a lower court ruling that transfers the Holy Ground at Oak Flat to the Resolution Copper Company for total destruction of this sacred ground in the mining process.

We are saddened and upset to learn of this decision by the US Supreme Court not to hear and rule on this petition. We remain in solidarity with the the Apache Stronghold, the Apache Nation, and the many Native peoples and their allies in this fight to Save Oak Flat.

Arizona Poor People's Campaign

Click HERE for the press release provided by the Apache Stronghold and its legal representative, Becket Law.

Click HERE for the news article from the Arizona Republic.

Watch Wendsler Nosie interviewed on CNN on May 31, 2025.

Dr. Toni went to Washington!

September 16, 2024 in Faith In Action

Dr. Toni was honored to represent the Southwest Conference UCC in Washington, DC in support of Oak Flat- Apache Stronghold in their case before the Supreme Court last Wednesday.

Here are pictures of Dr. Toni with National UCC staff from the DC office and Cleveland office, with John Maddaus of First Congregation UCC - Albuquerque, NM, with other Arizona clergy, and with Rev. Dr. William Barber II, and a poignant photo of Wendsler Nosie.

Many people along with our indigenous siblings from around the country converged at the Supreme Court steps for prayer.

Please continue to join us in prayer.

Apache Stronghold‘s Visit to First Congregational UCC of Albuquerque

September 02, 2024 in Faith In Action

First Congregational UCC of Albuquerque, in cooperation with Albuquerque Mennonite Church, Monte Vista Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Interfaith Power and Light of New Mexico and El Paso, hosted Apache Stronghold on their prayer journey to Washington, DC, from Sunday evening, August 18 to Wednesday morning, August 21. Apache Stronghold, in turn, blessed us with their presence, prayers, ceremony, and message.

From the Southwest Conference, Dr. Toni and Rev. Tracy Howe will join other clergy from all over the country in a show of support.

Save Oak Flat! Support the effort by sending letters!

March 30, 2024 in Faith In Action

From AZ Poor People’s Campaign newsletter:

Earlier this month, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) released a Public Notice that it intends to issue an Individual Industrial Recycled Water Permit to Resolution Copper Mining. The permit would allow Resolution Copper to deliver water obtained from the dewatering of their mine facilities at Oak Flat and near Superior to the New Magma Irrigation and Drainage District (NMIDD) where it would be mixed with water coming from the Colorado River via the CAP canal and used for irrigation.

A 30-day public comment period is open, ending on April 7, 2024. No public hearing is currently scheduled.

Please write a letter to ADEQ to extend the comment period and to ask for a public hearing.

Oak Flat updates from the Apache Stronghold

January 27, 2024 in Faith In Action

Oak Flat will continue to be a sacred place of congregation if we continue to uphold the obligation of the U.S. Government to protect places of worship, Indigenous rights, and the water. Right now, there are two ways you can join the Apache Stronghold in this movement.

November 4: Prayer-Rising for Oak Flat. SAVE THE DATE!

September 02, 2023 in Faith In Action

Will you come to pray with us at Oak Flat November 4? Prepare yourself in prayer and plan your own transportation to this sacred site located an hour east of Phoenix, Arizona.

Apache Stronghold also invites churches and other faith groups around the world to join the prayer-rising November 4 from their own locations and to share their prayer actions via social and other media. Will you organize your spiritual community to pray with Oak Flat on November 4?

Individual Oak Flat Petition

June 18, 2022 in Faith In Action

from Rev. Jennifer Hawks, Associate General Counsel, BJC - Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty:

Thank you for your continued support of the Save Oak Flat Act. I’m writing to share the next phase of our campaign: garnering grassroots support. We want to show Congress that support for this important legislation extends into our local networks.

BJC is launching an individual sign-on letter for the Save Oak Flat Act today. First, I invite you to sign the letter yourself. Second, and most importantly, I hope you will consider asking your constituents to add their names. The letter will remain open through the end of September and will be delivered to Congressional offices for Indigenous Peoples Day.

Re-release of Oak Flat letter to Congress

April 23, 2022 in Faith In Action

From Rev. Jennifer Hawks, Associate General Counsel for BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty):

The final letter, as sent to all House and Senate offices, is attached for your records. We had a total of 112 organizations which almost doubles the support we had on the letter's first release last summer!