1/ NEW EPISODE: As Trump speeds up #oilandgas drilling on #publiclands, Native American artifacts- scattered all over large swaths of land in Utah - are at risk of being destroyed. ow.ly/B9Zn30kYF1x

2/ It all started last spring with Trump’s executive order pushing for America’s energy dominance: bit.ly/2HrsYn1

@jennoldham & @LeighSPaterson traveled to a remote corner of Utah to find out what this policy actually means on the ground.

@jennoldham @LeighSPaterson 3/ #NativeAmerican artifacts are everywhere in SE #Utah. After a long drive down a dirt road, @jennoldham & @LeighSPaterson stumbled across these ancient carvings and the remains of a wall.

@jennoldham @LeighSPaterson 4/ Native American filmmaker Angelo Baca explains why places like this are significant & should be protected:

“Why is the art on the Sistine Chapel significant? The same thing applies for us. It’s important because its part of our past."

@jennoldham @LeighSPaterson 5/ But #oilandgas in this area is moving ahead anyway. Our investigation shows some science was ignored in the @BLM leasing process, like estimates of the number and density of artifacts. bit.ly/2GbHkYY

@jennoldham @LeighSPaterson @BLM 6/ @BLMUtah’s response to concerns about drilling destroying Native American artifacts: the leasing process here was among the most thorough ever. They say drilling can be done safely.

@jennoldham @LeighSPaterson @BLM @BLMUtah 7/ So is there a risk or not? That depends on your perspective because #publiclands are supposed to be multi-use: grazing, hiking, fishing, mining, etc. This is federal law.

@jennoldham @LeighSPaterson @BLM @BLMUtah 8/ Filmmaker Angelo Baca says recent #energy controversies- #DAPL #BearsEars and now this #Utah lease sale- are bringing #NativeAmerican ppl together:

"We are finally asserting our tribal sovereignty & becoming more autonomous & more independent in protecting our lands."