Tribe clashes with Zinke on need for Mexican border wall

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Hill


BY MIRANDA GREEN - 03/19/18 04:51 PM EDT

A Native American tribal leader whose territory straddles the Arizona-Mexico border is criticizing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for his suggestion that building a wall would increase security, saying it would have "substantial negative impacts."

The chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation said in a letter to Zinke on Saturday that the tribe opposes a "fortified" wall, adding that the tribe has enacted dozens of resolutions against it.

"It is equally clear to us that construction of a wall simply will not further the objective of security the border," Edward Manuel, the tribe's chairman wrote. "Accordingly, the construction of a wall along the Nation's border will waste taxpayer money that would be much better spent on more effective safety measures."

The comments followed Zinke's visit to the Arizona border on Saturday. While there, he tweeted a number of photos thanking Border Patrol agents, as well as one that called his meeting with Manuel "productive" and said the two had a shared interest in building a wall.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/379172-tribe-clashes-with-zinke-on-us-mexico-border-wall-security

[RestoreAmerica2020]

1. Thanks for post. Interesting story; curious about existing respective treaties with US and

Mexico. Will follow up...our first nation tribes have had treaties broken well since signed...I hope they are able reach an agreement that works out for the tribe.

[wiggs]

2. so Zinke lied? Said Manuel had an interest in building a wall when he really didn't?? nt

[wiggs]

3. Shouldn't someone be fired for that?? nt

[Old Terp]

4. The Tohono Oodham Nation lands are within both the US borders and Mexico.

I would doubt that the US can legally build a wall on tribal lands without approval of the tribe. Haven't looked at a map lately, but there may be other such tribes. If there was a desire for a wall on the Canadian wall, I think there are several tribes with lands in both countries.