BELLINGHAM — The Lummi Nation is formally opposing a proposed land purchase by British Petroleum at Cherry Point.
The Tribal government said BP officials informed the Lummi Nation earlier this month that the purchase of 1,100 acres would be complete by the end of the year, according to a news release from the Tribe issued the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 23.
The Lummi say the land is a sacred site “known by Lummi people since time immemorial as Xwe’chi’eXen,” and the parcel in question has been sought by corporations for decades.
In 2016, Lummi Nation won a nearly five-year battle against SSA Marine and its attempt to turn the parcel into the largest coal port in North America, according to the release.
“For thousands of years, and continuing to this day, our people have lived here, fished here, gathered plants here, raised families here, and buried loved ones here,” said Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire in the release. “The connection the Lummi Nation has to this place is beyond archeological significance. We have a sacred obligation to protect our lands and our ancestors, the ancient ones who rest here. We also have a moral and legal obligation to protect our rights. We have opposed, and will continue to oppose, the development of Xwe’chi’eXen because of the unavoidable and unacceptable impacts it would have on our people and on our treaty fishing rights.”
The land in question is considered an ancient burial site.
Earlier this month, Lummi Nation wrote to Whatcom County Planning and Development to express opposition to Phillips 66’s proposed renewable diesel refinery at Xwe’chi’eXen.
