Request for support in protest

Dear Tribal/Community Leaders:                                                            January, 2006

As the Elected Citizen of the Illmawi Band, representing a seat in the circle of the Pitt River Tribal Government, we are requesting that you and your circles support us on January 27, 2006, Noon – 2 pm in protesting Calpine Energy Corporation at their corporate offices located at 50 W. Fernando Street, San Jose, California.

The reason for this important protest is our continuance to stand strong against this company’s proposed plans to build a geothermal power plant in our spiritual Medicine Lake Highlands, located in Northeastern California.  We have been fighting them and their federal government supporters for years and we need more help.  The Highlands comprises the largest shield volcano on this continent and is home to many rare birds and animals that live in the lava tubes, obsidian flows, old-growth forests and craters.  The spring waters in this area are some of the clearest and cleanest in the country.  This area, used since time immemorial for healing and other cultural purposes by Native peoples, is very sacred to the Pitt River people, as well as sacred to the Modoc, Shasta, Karuk, and Wintu Nations.

Calpine would like to profit from the natural healing energy of this rare volcanic ecosystem and has federal energy development leases that cover eight square miles.  The proposed nine-story high power plant complex would annually produce tons of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas and other heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury.  Initial drilling calls for ten to twelve swells to depths of nine thousand feet.  The sacred and natural area would be clear-cut to make space to build toxic slump ponds, roads, pipelines and cooling towers.  It would be the tallest building in northeastern California area, which would be fully lit around the clock.  There are also major concerns about risks of geothermal development and the underlying aquifer, which is California’s largest spring system.  Indigenous peoples, homeowners, environmentalists and other concerned citizens have been opposing this project ever since it was first proposed.  Ironically, the geothermal energy extracted from the area would be bought and sold as “green energy!”, with no consideration to the concerns or the sacredness of the Indigenous peoples.  Like so many other Indigenous areas under direct threat, we need to unite.  Together, we need to pull all our resources and energies and fight the big business, get rich off mother earth syndrome and let Calpine and other energy companies and developers know we are strong and will never let up in protecting our sacred grounds for generations to come.

The circles of Seventh Generation Fund, Native Youth Culture Exchange, Greenaction for Health & Environmental Justice, Da’hu La’h As Sacred Sites Defense, International Indian Treaty Council and citizens from my Nation are requesting your help in these efforts.  If you can’t make it to the protest, then send prayers and pass this message (& flyer) along to others.  For more direct information on the protest, contact myself by email at: hestum@c-zone.net or call Mark LeBeau at 916-801-4422.

With Respect,

Radley Davis,

Illmawi Councilman Pitt River Nation