PETITION
Indigenous Voices for a Ban on Deep Sea Mining
We, the undersigned Indigenous voices and those who support us, are joining together to protect our ocean.
For millennia our people have lived in a relationship with the natural world that is defined by respect, gratitude, responsibility, and love. Our genealogies, woven across space and time, connect us physically and spiritually to animals and plants from the highest mountains to the deepest ocean.
Cultures across the Pacific consider the ocean to be sacred space for creation, a provider, an ancestor, and a link to places and people across the horizon. We would no more harm the ocean than we would a member of our family. And as with our family, we depend on each other for survival.
Western culture’s relationship with natural ecosystems of land, and sea and sky have proven to be deeply harmful for the only place we know as home, planet Earth. The ocean’s health, people, and natural ecosystems are already reeling from pollution, overfishing, acidification and extreme weather events. These problems need serious attention.
With a ban on Deep Sea Mining, however, we see the chance to stop the needless damage before it starts. There is ample evidence that Deep Sea Mining will cause irreversible harm to our ocean. The arguments in favor of Deep Sea Mining, produced only by those that stand to profit from it, have been shown to be false. There is no reason to disturb the tranquil and life-supporting depths of our oceans, causing harm that will last forever, for the short-term economic gain of a very few.
We refuse to allow any further harm to our sacred ocean.
We refuse to further damage the intricate web of life that we are part of and depend on for our survival.
We refuse to allow governments and corporations to sell out the future of our children and life on our planet.
We call on the governments of the world and on the International Seabed Authority to enact a ban on Deep Sea Mining effective immediately. Our ocean and our lives depend on it.
Indigenous Signatories
Dan Hikuroa, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Aotearoa
Jack Thatcher, Pwo Navigator, Aotearoa
Mike Smith, Ngapuhi Iwi/tribe, Ngati Kahu, Aotearoa
Mereana Berger, He Māori ahau - ko ngati paoa, ko ngati hako, ngati porous o hauraki, ko te aupouri oku iwi, Aotearoa
Jack Gray, Māori, Aotearoa
Liam Koka'ua, Ngāti Makea Ārera, Aotearoa
Teanau Tuiono, Māori, Green Party MP, Aotearoa New Zealand
Theresa Ardler, Gweagal, Gadigal, Bidjigal, Wangal, Cammerayal & Gandangarra Clans of Eora Nation, Australia
Deidre Bear, Gumbaynggirr, Australia
Frank Brown, Hereditary Chief of the Heiltsuk Nation, Canada
Miles Richardson, citizen of the Haida Nation, Canada
Kelsey White, Confederacy of mainland Mi'kmaq, Canada
Bev Sellars, Secwepemc Nation, Canada
Blaine Grinder, Tsilhqot'in, Canada
Robert Simon, Secwepemc People, Canada
Skil Jaada, Haida Gwaii, Canada
Meg Langlais, Red River Métis, Canada
Geraldine Blake, Dinjii' Zhuh' Gwichya' Gwich'in, Canada
Salisha Old Bull, Bitterroot Salish, Canada
Saul Brown, Heiltsuk Nation and Nut-chah-nulth Nation, Canada
Debborah Donnelly, Métis, Canada
Lisa White-Kuuyang, Haida Nation, Canada
Arnnaralaakuluk Joy Joanasie, Nunavut Inuit, Canada
Jacqueline Evans, Cook Islands
Alanna Matamaru Smith, Ngati Raina, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Teina Rongo, Kōrero o te 'Ōrau, Cook Islands
Justine Marie Flanagan, Korero O Te Orau, Cook Islands
Florence Syme-Buchanan, Mana Tiaki Ngatangiia, Cook Islands
Edna, Te Ipukarea, Cook Islands
Mrs T M Wichman, Te Koutu Nui, Cook Islands
Jackalyn Rongo, Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau, Cook Islands
Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Head of the Kubuna Confederacy, Fiji
Frances Namoumou, Kauwai Network, Fiji
Fr Iosefo Rass SVD, Melanesians, Fiji/Australia
Moetai Brotherson, President of French Polynesia
Heremoana Maamaatuaiahutapu, Minister of Culture, Environment & Marine Resources, French Polynesia
Hinano Murphy, President, Te Pu Atiti'a, French Polynesia
Nainoa Thompson, Polynesian Voyaging Society, Hawai'i
Sol Kaho'ohalahala, Maui Nui Makai Network, Hawai'i
Darienne Dey, Kanaka maoli, Hawai’i
Kaleolani DeSa, Kanaka Maoli, Hawai'i
Mario Gómez, Beta Diversidad, Mexico
Eric Cassagne, Kanak, New Caledonia
Anthony Akpan, President, Pan African Vision for the Environment, Ibibio in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Maderngebuked Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., Former President & Traditional Chief, Palau
Ann Singeo, Ebiil Society, Palau
Diwigdi Valiente, Guna Yala Comarca, Panama
Jonathan Mesulam, Solwara Warriors, Papua New Guinea
John Momori, Tunubuah Clan of Namatanai, Papua New Guinea
Modakula Kunuyobu, Sakapu Indigenous Group / tribe, Papua New Guinea
Sebastián Yancovic Pakarati, Koro Nui o te Vaikava, Rapa Nui
Schannel van Dijken, Samoan, Samoa
Henry Kaniki, Sirubai Voko Tribe Association of Vella la Vella Island, Western Province, Solomon Islands
Violet Sage Walker, Chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, USA
Buffy Turner, Aniyunwiya, USA
Fawn C Murphy, Resighini Rancheria Tribe of Yurok People, USA
Beth Martin, Mohawk, USA
Heather A Evoy, Tlingit and Tsimshian, USA
Alexii Sigona, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, USA
Shannyn Sayula, Samoan, USA
Robert Caldwell, PhD, Choctaw-Apache Community of Ebarb, USA
Mishuana Goeman, Tonawanda Band of Seneca, USA
Joe Silem Enlet, Wiito and Soor Clans of Chuuk State (Federated States of Micronesia), USA
Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation
Allied/Supporter Signatories
Dr. Sandor Mulsow, Tenure Marine Geology, Universidad Austral de Chile and Former Director Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, International Seabed Authority
Prof. Dan Laffoley, Member, WCPA Chair's Advisory Group, IUCN, UK
HM Queen Noor of Jordan, Ocean Elder
Gigi Brisson, Founder & CEO, Ocean Elders, USA
Dr. Sylvia Earle, Founder, Mission Blue, Ocean Elder, USA
Jackson Browne, Musician, Ocean Elder, USA
Gerry Lopez, Surfer, Ocean Elder, USA
Capt. Don Walsh, Ocean Elder, USA
David Shaw, Managing Partner, Black Point Group LP, USA
Richard Bailey, Chairman, Pacific Beachcomber, French Polynesia
Please Join our Call
1338
voices representing
51 countries
&
72 Indigenous groups
have been counted so far.
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