Hatchery pipeline on Ute sacred ground halted for 30 days
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Ute Tribal Court was convened to request an injunction in the construction of a pipeline from Big Springs to a newly developed fish hatchery below the springs.
Judge William Reynolds found for the Tribe, saying that following all “federal formal requirements, ten years and six different Ute tribal business committees the project to construct the Fish Hatchery was allowed to proceed.”
But, Reynolds stated that “a 30-day session of pipeline construction from the spring” was required to bring concerned parties together to re-evaluate the situation.
An Environmental Assessment for the Big Springs fish hatchery was completed and the record of decision was issued nearly a decade ago.
However, on Sept. 22 a protest by tribal members at the Big Springs Sacred Site resulted in the arrest of tribal religious leaders Jerry Tapoof and Kylie Thompson.
They were arrested along with the detainment of others after damage to the sacred site from construction efforts was made plain before the protesters.
According to tribal members who spoke in the Court, “the springs are a traditional religious site that must flow naturally without being tapped into a pipeline. And, here there were trees removed and offerings disturbed. It’s a sacrilege.”
Roughly 30 tribal protesters were detained and removed from springs location on Bureau of Land Management, but not arrested. Only traditional spiritualists Tapoof and Thompson were cited while the remainder were removed from the construction area as John and Jane Doe(s).
“I was arrested in defense of my tradition, a right guaranteed me and all Native Americans under the constitution,” said Tapoof, a Ute Tribal traditional spiritual leader, who said their arrest on public land was unwarranted.
Their arrests at a traditional religious site have gained national recognition as Tapoof stated he has received calls from as supporters across the country.
The criminal case of the arrested tribal leaders remains a separate matter; however, Tapoof says he remains more concerned about the welfare of the Big Springs sacred site than his.
mbernard@vernal.com
My hope and prayer is that the judge and Ute leaders will make the only right decision and let Big Springs alone, find water for the hatchery elsewhere. The Hatchery needs water, but the Ute need their most sacred traditions more.
Yes our Northern Ute Sundance chief and Sundancers were summonds to appear before the Tribal judge and careful witness our Northern Ute Tribal Attorney work his law skills against his own persons who employee him. The Ute Nation! I ask myself isn't this enthical to for our own tribal attorney file suet agains the Ute Nation? Within the 10 years yes it was an established project which failed approval under various business committee representatives. We don't deny 10 year project but we as a Ute people have every right to protect the sacred springs. It is our fundamental right as a Native American person to protect our culture and rights especially our sacred locations and excerising our rights withiin our tribal jurisdiction!
If we continue to allow dictators such as our leadership to continue dicating to us then we don't need to think for ourselves! We have a obligation as Native Americans because that is exactly what our ancestors would have wanted it to be!
Inconclusion this small group of ENROLLED members of the Ute Tribe are in this struggle to maintain our Ute traditional ways.
Signed
Jasanna Cuch
Northern Ute Tribe
queenbeejacee23@hotmail.com
435-724-1026