US cancels oil and gas lease on Montana land sacred to tribe

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

US cancels oil and gas lease on Montana land sacred to tribe

Matthew Brown, Associated Press

Updated 2:31 pm, Thursday, March 17, 2016



BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Obama administration on Thursday canceled a disputed oil and gas lease just outside Glacier National Park that is on land considered sacred to the Blackfoot tribes of the U.S. and Canada.

The move came after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon criticized the government over its decades-long delay in resolving the matter. He accused the government of trying to "run out the clock" on a lawsuit from Solenex LLC, a Louisiana company that wants to drill for oil and gas on the 6,200-acre site.

Left unresolved is the fate of 17 remaining leases in northwest Montana's Badger-Two Medicine area, site of the Blackfoot creation story. Blackfoot leaders say the leases were illegally issued in 1982.

Government attorneys said the Solenex lease was improperly sold, in part because an environmental study on drilling did not consider its effect on the tribes.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/science/article/Judge-says-government-must-act-on-gas-lease-on-6895021.php

[Scalded Nun]

1. Someone has to start somewhere

Indigenous Americans have been subject to injustice, genocide and just about every other term describing bad things people can do to other people. It started when non-Americans set foot on this continent and continues to this day. Those we could not steal from we killed. Killing is somewhat more frowned upon now, but the thievery continues.

I do not see how we, as a country can ever hope to repair the damage we have inflicted, but this could at least be a start. I'd sure like to see it continue in meaningful ways. Their suffering, and our shame, continues.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Good. Block them all.

[seabeckind]

3. But, but, the Reagan legacy.

The cry was: No asset of the American people left unsold.

How can we make America great if we continue to hold onto things that are valuable?

[jtuck004]

4. That's nice. Why isn't the rest of the land sacred to all of us? n/t

[SusanaMontana41]

5. About time.

For five years, I was lucky enough to live an hour away from Glacier National Park. My son and I enjoyed all its perks and privileges. Gorgeous place, as are all our national parks.

Cancel ALL the leases.

[AllyCat]

6. Finally the native people win one.