A Message From Greenaction to Everyone Who Supports Protecting Our Environment and Justice for Native Peoples

Dear Friends,

On behalf of Greenaction we urge you to support the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe in their long quest to win federal recognition for their aboriginal homeland in and around what is now referred to as "Death Valley National Park". The Timbisha Shoshone have lived in this area for thousands of years, and have proven themselves to be caretakers and protectors of this fragile and beautiful desert and mountain environment. The Timbisha have suffered for too many years from being treated as second-class citizens and squatters on their own land, and have waged a long struggle for a recognized homeland.

Years of negotiations have now led to an historic agreement with the National Park Service to establish a Timbisha Shoshone reservation on lands within and near Death Valley National Park, and to establish a Cooperative Management Partnerships between the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, Bureau of Land Management, and the Park Service. The Park Service now agrees that the Timbisha have a right to remain in their aboriginal homeland and that they are a vital part of protecting the environment.

The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe has asked Greenaction to spread the word about this issue. Please contact your Senators and Congresspeople and urge them to support this fair and long overdue proposal for a homeland for the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe.

For a healthy environment and justice,

Bradley Angel
Executive Director, Greenaction

Press Coverage

San Francisco Chronicle

For more information, contact:

Message and Request for Assistance from the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe

Timbisha Shoshone Tribe Tribal Alert

Help Out By Mailing Congress!

July 14, 1999

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe of Death Valley, California, I am writing to gather support from our neighbors,friends and supporters.

The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe has been a federally recognized tribe since 1983 but has no land base. The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 directed the Secretary of Interior to carry out a study to identify reservation lands for the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. Since January of 1998, the Tribe has been involved in government -to- government negotiations with the US Government to identify Trust lands within our aboriginal territory that are suitable for a permanent homeland.

Lands identified are:

• 300 acres at Furnace Creek within Death Valley National Park where the Tribe currently lives and where its Tribal Headquarters is located.
• 4 separate parcels of land totaling approximately 7,200 acres administered by the Bureau of Land Management in California and Nevada. The majority of these acres, located in Nevada, had been previously identified as available for disposal in BLM Resource Management Plans.

These parcels include:

• 1000 acres at Death Valley Junction, California
• 640 acres identified as Centennial, California
• 2,800 acres near Scotty's Junction, Nevada
• 2,800 acres near Lida, Nevada

In addition, there are the following recommendations:

• Purchase of approximately 120 acres of former Indian allotted lands in Saline Valley, California
• Purchase of 2,430 acres of private land near Lida, Nevada
• Cooperative Management partnerships between the Timbisha Tribe, BLM, and Death Valley National Park

Copies of the Draft Report are available through the Death Valley National Park Web site or by contacting the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe at 760.786.2374.

We are asking for your time and support for this agreement. Should you have any questions, please contact our Tribal Office.

Thank You,

Barbara Durham,

Tribal Administrator and
Spokesperson for the
Timbisha Lands
Restoration Committee
(760) 786-2374

Attached is a sample letter and we welcome you to write a letter in your own words. Please direct your letters to the addresses listed below and send our office a copy of your letter so that we have a record of all letters of support. The Timbisha people thank you for your time and support.