After years of fighting, we've spent almost every dollar we've raised so far, and we expect significant continuing costs. Every donation matters.

Protect Thacker Pass is an independent, grassroots collective which formed to resist the construction of the Thacker Pass lithium mine in Northern Nevada. Thacker Pass, which is called Peehee Mu’huh in the Paiute language, is sacred land to indigenous people, was critical wildlife habitat until the destruction began, and is important to local communities. We work in solidarity with Tribal nations, environmentalists, farmers, and ranchers who are also fighting this project.

Why We Need Your Support

Our multi-year resistance at Thacker Pass has helped catalyze a growing global movement to expose and combat greenwashing. But this is just the beginning. We expect this fight to continue for a long time.

Your donations make our work possible. Our funding comes 100% from grassroots donors like you, and we don't waste money on fancy offices or administrative costs. Your donations go directly toward supporting:

1. Ongoing legal defense for 3 indigenous people and 3 environmentalists sued by the mining company Lithium Nevada.

2. Grassroots community organizing in collaboration with Tribal Nations throughout the Great Basin, Mojave Desert, and Eastern Sierra region to oppose mining projects and greenwashed energy sprawl.

3. Educational programs for activists and students, and our public communication with the public and the media.

History of the Fight

Our fight to Protect Thacker Pass began on January 15th 2021, when we set up a protest camp on the site of the proposed mine. Our protection camp was in place for 10 months before the Federal Government targeted co-founders Max Wilbert and Will Falk with $49,890.13 in fines for providing "illegal" bathrooms to Native American elders participating in ceremonies and cultural activities at Thacker Pass. We're still in the process of contesting these illegal, immoral fines.

The protection camp is no longer in place, but the fight goes on. We continue to maintain as much on-the-ground presence as possible to monitor what is happening at Thacker Pass. Will Falk represented the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Summit Lake Paiute Tribe in a lawsuit in Federal Court alongside other tribes, environmental groups, and local ecological rancher Ed Bartell.

In Spring of 2023, the battle for Thacker Pass turned hot as water protectors engaged in peaceful, prayerful direct action under the guidance of Paiute and Shoshone elders. These actions halted and delayed mine construction, and resulted in one arrest and the ongoing lawsuit which continues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMHH7r559RM

Frequently Asked Questions

Aren't electric cars sustainable and important for fighting climate change?

No. See: https://www.protectthackerpass...

Do you support fossil fuels?

No. Both fossil fuel extraction and burning and lithium mining contribute to our ecological crisis. See: https://www.protectthackerpass...

Why is Thacker Pass important to indigenous people?

Thacker Pass, or Peehee Mu'huh, is sacred to regional indigenous people because of a long history of ancestral use and ongoing use for hunting, gathering, and ceremonies, because of the presence of ancient artifacts and campsites, and because of the role that this location played in regional indigenous history. See: https://www.protectthackerpass...

What are the environmental impacts of the Thacker Pass mine?

See: https://www.protectthackerpass...

What wildlife lives in Thacker Pass?

Hundreds of species live in Thacker Pass. A small sampling can be found here: https://www.sierranevadaally.o...

How can I get involved?

Signup for action alerts and follow us on social media: https://www.protectthackerpass...
Contact us: https://www.protectthackerpass...
Help spread the word using #ProtectThackerPass and #ProtectPeeheeMuhuh
Donate!

Can I donate via check?

Yes! https://www.protectthackerpass...

Protect Thacker Pass

Six water protectors are facing a lawsuit for their activism to protect sacred and biodiverse Thacker Pass (Peehee Mu'huh in Paiute) from an open-pit lithium mine. Help us protect them and organize to defend other lands! No to Mining, Yes to Life!

Team Members