Roundup: Blackfeet Nation Badger-Two Medicine Court Settlement Coverage
The Blackfeet Nation has, since time immemorial, remained committed to protecting our sacred cultural lands in the Badger-Two Medicine. This area has forever been Blackfeet traditional territory, a place of refuge for our People. For decades, we have opposed plans to industrialize our cultural homeland. We want to acknowledge our many Blackfeet elders at the forefront of this struggle, who no longer are with us and who did not live to see the Badger-Two Medicine protected from development. We are grateful for their leadership.
After these many years of struggle, our People are relieved that agreement finally has been reached between the U.S. government, tribal and conservation partner organizations, and the leaseholder—Solenex, LLC—to retire the last Badger-Two Medicine oil and gas lease. This agreement to retire the final lease brings to a close a long and painful chapter in the history of our People. We thank our leaders and our many partners who toiled for decades to safeguard our sacred mountains. Over the last several weeks, partners from across the state and country have written extensively about what this victory means:
Jon Tester Senate | September 5, 2023
Final Oil and Gas Lease to be Relinquished in Montana’s Badger-Two Medicine Area
USDA | September 1, 2023
We are proud of these victories. Moving forward we will continue our unrelenting commitment to safeguard traditional Blackfeet lands, culture and practices by remaining vigilant for any proposals that would undermine our sovereignty and treaty rights in the Badger-Two Medicine or elsewhere.