The Supreme Court has authorized the federal government to transfer significant land containing a sacred site for the Western Apache Indians to a copper-mining company. Despite the spiritual and cultural importance of the Oak Flat site, the court upheld a lower court's decision, ignoring concerns from tribal leaders. Justice Gorsuch criticized the court's action, emphasizing the need to respect the legal arguments of Indigenous peoples. This move, supported by both the Biden and Trump administrations, could have profound implications for Native American heritage and land rights.
Justice Neil M. Gorsuch called the court's refusal to review the case a 'grievous mistake - one with consequences that threaten to reverberate for generations.'
Justice Gorsuch emphasized that the Apaches deserve consideration of their legal arguments, stating 'They may live far from Washington, D.C., and their history and religious practices may be unfamiliar to many. But that should make no difference.'
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