Maya Nation solidarity statement Standing Rock Sioux Nation_Re Dakota Access Pipeline

Maya Nation Declaration Statement in Solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe -The Dakota Access Pipeline Threatens the Sioux Nation and Mother EarthThe National Council of Ancestral Authorities of the Maya, Garifuna, and Xinca of Ixim Ulew-Guatemala, representatives of the original peoples of Guatemala, express our solidarity with the struggle of our brothers and sisters of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in defense of their lands, territories, the environment, sacred sites, and all natural elements.

Concurrently, we express our indignation and concern regarding this conflict that harms the dignity of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, who stand in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Specifically, we support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Resolution No. 406-15 September 2, 2015 where they detail the specific reasons behind their resistance to DAPL. The DAPL route crosses treaty land and directly impacts the Sioux Reservation's aquifer, therefore the Federal government of the United States has the responsibility to carry out consultations in good faith with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and to complete an Environmental Statement. The Department of the Army, by means of the Army Corps of Engineers, did not take the necessary precautions to determine the possible impacts the Sioux Nation could face, as is required by Executive Order 13007: Indian Sacred Sites. A proposed route near the non-Native city of Bismarck was deemed high risk, while the same consideration was not granted to the Standing Rock Sioux Nation.

As the National Council of Ancestral Authorities Mayas, Garifunas and Xincas of Ixim Ulew-Guatemala, we express our concern over these arbitrary actions that threaten the life of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. We also express our deep indignation over the permit granting process by the State and Federal Government for the construction of the DAPL, which blatantly violates the rights of the Sioux Nation, in particular their right to selfdetermination and their right to land, territories and natural goods that are recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. These same arbitrary acts happen in our territories. We live under a State promoted development model, such as the Katun 2032 Plan, which not only appropriates concepts of our ancestral cosmovision by utilizing the same name, but also promotes a devastating development plan. According to statistics from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the government has granted 344 mining permits, there are 611 requests in progress, and more than 60 hydroelectric projects in various phases of operation, construction and negotiation on indigenous territories in Guatemala. As is common around the world, our governments grant permits to corporations without respecting our autonomy as Original Nations, without consulting our communities, violating our rights and Mother Earth.

Our Council is extremely concerned over the desecration of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation's sacred sites and burial grounds. As Ancestral Authorities it is our duty and

responsibility to speak in defense of these ceremonial sites because they are the cultural heritage of our peoples, Mother Earth and humanity. The special connection that we have as Original Nations to our sacred sites is essential for our peoples' existence, and recognized and protected under international law. We firmly do not accept that our peoples are attacked and persecuted by state forces just for exercising their rights to peaceful resistance.

Due to this current reality that is also experienced in our territories in Guatemala, we reiterate our solidarity because we are also living under repression and criminalization just because we love Mother Earth and Mother Nature. Currently, 11 Ancestral Authorities and one of our sisters are arbitrarily detained for defending their lands, water and the rights of our peoples.

These actions against our ancestral authorities and men and women leaders of our peoples can no longer be tolerated.

Before the current situation in the territory of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, we express our respect and acknowledge your fight in defense of our Mother who is the Earth; your leadership in the peaceful defense of your territory, the collective healing for your people and Mother Nature, and for the new path that you are building for all original peoples of the world based on the visions and prophecies of the great wisdom keepers of your Nation. This is a historic moment for all original peoples because for the first time we have a collective platform at the international level that unites our ceremonies, our struggles, our dreams, our hopes and demands for all future generations and Mother Earth. As Ancestral Authorities of our diverse peoples represented in the National Council of Ancestral Authorities of the Maya, Garifuna, and Xinca of Ixim Ulew- Guatemala we stand in solidarity in the pursuit of peace, harmony and the understanding and well-being of our peoples so that we may all collectively enjoy a Plentiful Life and that the milk that feeds our earth belong to our children and grandchildren. No more repression, or evictions, or criminalization, exploitation and death.

Your fight is our fight, your pain is our pain, your joy is our joy!

All that happens to Mother Earth will Happen to the Children of the EARTH. October 11, 2016 3 Tz’i, Ixim Ulew

Grandfather: Diego Cotiy Mas (Maya K’iche Nation) K'AMAL B'E (Advisor) Political Liaison

Grandmother: Maria Teresa Lopez (Maya Mam Nation) K'AMAL B'E: Advisor to the Council of the Western Region

Grandmother: Ana Laynez Herrera (Maya Ixil Nation) Council Member