Nevada Tribe Shifts Strategy to Protect Sacred Sites Amid U.S. Energy Agenda

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Turns to Coalition-Building Over Lawsuits in Fight Against Lithium Mine Approval

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada is shifting its strategy from lawsuits to coalition-building to protect sacred sites from the U.S. government's approval of a massive lithium mine.
Chairman Arlan Melendez says the tribe is not giving up the fight but changing its strategy, as appeals have not saved sacred sites from being desecrated.
The tribe's new strategy comes as the Biden administration doubles down on its vows to work better with Native American leaders on federal funding, land preservation efforts, and resource management planning.
Despite these promises, some tribes say the cooperation is hollow when it comes to battles over multibillion-dollar 'green energy' projects.
The tribe's lawyer, Will Falk, criticizes the new federal guidance for dealing with sacred sites as 'pacifying propaganda' and not legally binding.