Apr 25, 2017 - Despite Standing Rock Brutality, Wells Fargo Board Recommends Against Indigenous Peoples Policy

INDIGENOUS LEADERS CITE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN CONDEMNING WELLS FARGO’S DECISION TO FINANCE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2017
Media Contact: Matt Remle, (206) 639-3610, mcremle@hotmail.com

On Tuesday, April 25th, Wells Fargo will convene its annual meeting of stockholders at the Sawgrass Marriot in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, where they will vote on an Indigenous People’s Policy. This policy calls on “Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) to develop and adopt a global policy regarding the rights of indigenous peoples which includes respect for the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous communities affected by WFC financing.” The Board of Wells Fargo has recommended stockholders vote against this proposal, as the Board claims to have the necessary risk management, human rights, and indigenous rights policies in place.

The undersigned denounce the Board’s position, as Wells Fargo still chooses to finance the Dakota Access Pipeline, a project embroiled in treaty violations, indigenous rights violations, and human rights abuses. United Nations’ rapporteurs, NGOs, faith leaders, journalists, and over 200 Native Nations from around the globe have documented and corroborated these violations ad nauseam. Furthermore, tribal leaders informed Wells Fargo of the indigenous rights violations and human rights abuses before Dakota Access LLC completed the pipeline.

Due to the decision of Wells Fargo to remain invested in numerous environmentally destructive projects on indigenous lands, indigenous peoples and allies have led a nationwide divestment campaign. Municipalities and tribes —including the major cities of Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles—have moved to divest billions of dollars from the bank and individual citizens have divested tens of millions of dollars.

Jackie Fielder, a signatory who is participating in a demonstration at the shareholder meeting, states, “Loans speak louder than policies—if Wells Fargo continues to finance fossil fuel projects that enable the repression of indigenous people, we will continue to call for individuals, investors, and municipalities to divest from them and reinvest in mission-aligned banks that do not.”

Indigenous Environmental Network
Honor the Earth
Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network(WECAN)
Last Real Indians
Mazaska Talks
Seattle NoDAPL Coalition
San Francisco
Defund DAPL Coalition
Divest LA

Osprey Orielle Lake
Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network
(WECAN) WECAN Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegation to Norway

Dr. Sara Jumping Eagle
Lead plaintiff, Jumping Eagle v. Trump, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, & Dakota Access, LLP
WECAN Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegation to Norway

Tara Houska
National Campaigns Director, Honor the Earth
WECAN Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegation to Norway

Michelle Cook
Human Rights Lawyer & Founding Member, Water Protector Legal Collective at Standing Rock
WECAN Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegation to Norway

Wasté Win Yellowlodge Young
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Member
Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegation to Norway

Autumn Chacon
Artist, activist and Water Protector
Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegation to Norway

Matt Remle
Co-founder, Mazaska Talks (Seattle)
Seattle NoDAPL Coalition
Last Real Indians

Rachel Heaton
Seattle NoDAPL Coalition
Co-founder, Mazaska Talks (Seattle)

Jackie Fielder
San Francisco Defund DAPL Coalition
Organizer, Mazaska Talks (San Francisco)

Paul Wagner
Seattle NoDAPL Coalition

Roxanne White
Seattle NoDAPL Coalition