Call to Action: Join Catholic Sisters and oppose the sale of Native Nations Sacred Site within National Park for Copper Mining

Chi’ chil Bildagoteel, known as Oak Flat in English, lies within Tonto National Forest in Southeast Arizona. According to the Association on American Indian Affairs, “Since time immemorial, Native Peoples have traveled to Oak Flat to participate in ceremonies, to pray, to gather medicines and ceremonial items, to honor those buried within its boundaries and to seek and obtain personal cleansing and healing.” 

But a deal that transfers thousands of acres of national forest land to Resolution Copper, including Oak Flat, would permanently destroy this sacred land as well as contaminate area streams and other surrounding lands.

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Kristin Peters traveled recently to Oak Flat as a member of an intercongregational gathering of women religious organized by Land Justice Futures. “Here at Oak Flat I experienced the tone of mutual respect, kindness, compassion, and deep connection of respect and love,” she says of her visit. “As a Franciscan, I recall a story of Francis and Clare sharing together in the spirit. Those at some distance saw the place where they met aflame apparently due to the mutuality and love of God the two shared. I imagine if you have eyes to see you too would see the relevancy and significance of the fight the Apache are engaged. They seek to exercise their religious rights upon their holy lands akin to our Mount Sinai.”

On Monday, July 28, 2025, you can join an online event, Urgent Oak Flat Updates & Calls for Support: A Joint Shareback from the Apache Stronghold & Solidarity Delegation, which will provide updates on the current status, teachings, and reflections. Please sign up even if you can’t attend live; the event will be recorded and distributed.

“At Oak Flat, I stepped through what now seemed a portal,” Sister Kristin says. “In this space of prayer, love, respect, and mutuality I heard an invitation to act; to protect the land from copper mining. It is a religious call to treat our sibling as we would want to be treated.”

For further actions and to sign petitions to urge our religions leaders to act, see the Protect Oak Flat page at AAIA.