Media / Press

Statement of the Indigenous Environmental Network Made by Clayton Thomas-Muller, IEN Oil and Gas Organizer

October 27, 2004

The Indigenous Environmental Network, an alliance of Native communities and traditional societies throughout North America is here today to support the concerned tribal members of the Passamaquoddy tribal nation in their opposition to this proposed Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminal. We are here to stand in solidarity with the newly formed tribal grassroots organization called, “Ntulankeyutmonen Nkihtaqmikon” which means “We take care of the homeland”. We commend these warriors - men, women, elders and youth - who are courageous in defending their traditional homelands from a proposed $350 million LNG terminal at Pleasant Point, located on their Passamaquoddy tribal reservation in Maine, otherwise known as Sipayik

The sovereignty of the Passamaquoddy peoples should not be jeopardized for a quick sale to an industry that is plagued with environmental risks and uncertainties. The massive infrastructure of these types of LNG terminals and the super tankers that would pass through critical and sensitive ecological areas of the ocean and coastal area could cause devastation to these lands and water systems. IEN recognizes the rich cultural and biological heritage of this beautiful land and waters. The waters are home to a rich sea life of whales, seals, porpoises, seabirds, many other marine life and plant life. Super tankers laden with potentially hazardous cargo brings with it a history of explosions, gas leaks and spills that could destroy this environment and ruin the traditional food systems of the Passamaquoddy.

The proposed site for the LNG terminal would prevent free access to traditional and sacred sites, which includes the rocky shoreline that currently serves as the home to the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the Passamaquoddy in the Wonakomeswok or the “Little People.”

Corporate interests must not be allowed to trample over the inherent rights of the tribal members of Ntulankeyutmonen Nkihtaqmikon to preserve what is left of their homeland. IEN stands in solidarity with these concerned grassroots tribal members who are standing by their treaties in opposition to any further restrictions and interference of their hunting, fishing, gathering, trade and right to travel freely within their Passamaquoddy ancestral territory. We call upon all people with conscious and good moral judgement to stand with the concerned Passamaquddy tribal members to demand environmental and economic justice – and halt this proposed LNG facility.

INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK - P.O. Box 485 - Bemidji, MN 566I9 USA Tel: + 1 218 751 4967 Fax: + 1 218 751 0561 Email: ienoil@igc.org Web: www.ienearth.org

INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

“An activist alliance of Indigenous Peoples addressing environmental and economic justice issues through grassroots organizing that impact tribal, national and international policy with a challenge of achieving systemic change”