[van-announce] Event: Indigenous Resistance Speakers from Ponca Nation, Oklahoma]

[Harsha]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------

Subject: Event: Indigenous Resistance Speakers from Ponca Nation, Oklahoma
From:    "NYM Communications"
Date:    Sun, September 14, 2008 11:49 pm

Indigenous Resistance: Indigenous Speakers from Ponca Nation, Oklahoma
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
7:00 pm
unsurrendered Coast Salish Territories - Vancouver, BC
Location:  T.B.A.

Contact: Harjap  (778) 552-2099

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Case History: The South side of Ponca City, OK and The White Eagle Indian
Community

• Describe the impacted community (population, neighborhood, general
statistics, history, etc):

The South side of Ponca City, OK is residential neighborhoods that are
built in close
proximity to the Conoco Phillips oil refinery as well as other industrial
business.  Those
affected are mostly low income, minority residents.  The ethnic make up of
this area of
town is primarily African American, Native American and Hispanic. 
Approximately
10,000 residents reside in this area of Ponca City.

The White Eagle Community is 6 miles south of Ponca City, and is the home
of the
Ponca Nation of Oklahoma.  After forced removal from their native
homelands in
Nebraska, the Ponca Tribe was given “Indian Land” in present day Kay County
Oklahoma.  Over the years, the land base has dwindled to an approximate 10
square
mile area, with many outlaying rural residents.  Within this 10 square
miles lies
Conco/Phillips, Continental Carbon Black, Ponca Iron and Metal, a metal
smelter, a
gravel cleaning facility, many open dumps, and the landfill for the City
of Ponca City.

• What are/were the problems affecting this community?

High unemployment, and very low income affect residents of both of the above-
mentioned areas.  The Native American Community seems affected to the
extreme by
high rates of Diabetes, heart and respiratory illness, as well as many
forms of cancer.

• What partnerships were formed to address the problems and challenges?

Ponca Tribal members have formed alliances with local farmers, members of
the PACE
Union (formerly locked out of Continental Carbon), local
environmentalists, the
Indigenous Environmental Network, and the Southern Justice League.

• What were the major challenges the community faced or faces in
overcoming the problems?

The Industrial Corporations are ensconced within the political and social
“norms” of
Oklahoma.  The economic impact of oil, and other industry in Oklahoma
promotes the
“Oil is King” mentality in the State.  The residents of the state are so
intertwined with the
oil industry that the communities become inured to the pollution.


• How did the community overcome the challenges?  If the community
wasn’t able to address the challenges, what were the impacts on the
project?  How did the project move forward?

The challenges remain the same, and apathy within the community, as well
as a basic
lack of knowledge has made the struggle all the more challenging.

Case History: The South side of Ponca City, OK and The White Eagle Indian
Community well as many local residents adjacent to the Continental Carbon
facility has joined a
lawsuit against the company.  While the Tribe has not settled, many local
residents
have, and moved from their homes.  Unfortunately, in many cases,
settlements were not
sizable enough to afford a move to an area not impacted by other industry,
and in many
cases White Eagle residents moved to the South side of Ponca City, only to
face other
woes.  Settlements also were not inclusive of long-term medical care, and
the impacts
of this are yet to be seen.  Many local residents, the Ponca Tribe, and
local activists
continue to struggle to educate the community, and keep the project moving
ahead.

• What tools or methods did the community use that is transferable to other
communities facing similar issues?

Forming alliances with other individuals, and organizations within the
community facing
the same risks, outside the normal ethnic, environmental racism and or
socio economic boundaries.
Continued educational outreach to the public regarding the health risks,
and long-term
impacts of environmental pollution.  As well as staging very public
rally’s and or
gatherings to spread the work and the word throughout the community.

• What were the major successes in the eyes of the community?

1. The sense of empowerment and pride that was achieved through “Direct
Action.

2. The educational outreach and support received from organizations
outside of our
immediate area.

3. The “Just Transitions” achieved.

NYM Communications
NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT
FIGHT FOR LIFE
WARRIORS UNITE FROM ALASKA TO ARGINTINA
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