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At US-Mexico border, a tribal nation fights wall that would divide them
At US-Mexico border, a tribal nation fights wall that would divide them
Jan 13, 2019 5:13 PM EST
Audio
The Native American tribe Tohono o’odham in Arizona has a significant stake in the ongoing conflict in Congress about whether to fund President Trump’s $5.7 billion border wall. The tribe’s reservation, about the size of Connecticut, spans both countries, and a border wall would run through their land. NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent Christopher Livesay reports.
Read the Full Transcript
Christopher Livesay:
The Arizona desert is a breathtaking, albeit unforgiving environment. The state shares nearly 400 miles of border with mexico and much of the area is inhabited by an ancient, and little-known native american tribe.
As the national battle over a border wall continues, if plans for a wall do get approved, it will have to get through the tohono o'odham nation, and their land. It's an area roughly the size of the state of Connecticut that includes more than 60 miles of the U.S. – Mexico border. Verlon Jose is the Vice Chairman of the Tohono O'odham nation.
The Arizona desert is a breathtaking, albeit unforgiving environment. The state shares nearly 400 miles of border with mexico and much of the area is inhabited by an ancient, and little-known native american tribe.
As the national battle over a border wall continues, if plans for a wall do get approved, it will have to get through the tohono o'odham nation, and their land. It's an area roughly the size of the state of Connecticut that includes more than 60 miles of the U.S. – Mexico border. Verlon Jose is the Vice Chairman of the Tohono O'odham nation.
Verlon Jose:
To put a border wall here it would be detrimental to our people. It would have a psychological effect. You would have an emotional effect. I think you wouldn't like it if I dug a wall right through your home. This is our traditional homelands.
More:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/at-us-mexico-border-a-tribal-nation-fights-wall-that-would-divide-them
