Amata: “I will always stand with the people”

Washington, D.C. — June 03, 2025 — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement regarding seabed critical minerals:

“The people are always my top priority, and I will always stand with you. We highly value our ocean and land, from the reefs to the mountaintops, it’s ours as the people of American Samoa and it’s special to us, and a gift of God. We don’t want harm to come to our land.

“As I’ve publicly stated, following the announcement by the DOI, I do not support use of current technology that scrapes or vacuums or mines by digging the ocean floor, especially near our beautiful islands.

“The issue of critical minerals from the ocean is new and emotional for many. Because it is new, we should make a careful decision based on all the facts, then move forward together in wisdom, at the direction of the people!

“I am inquiring to DOI what is to come and when will they sit down with the leaders of American Samoa.

“I am also concerned about the impacts of the mining of critical minerals to our people and on our environment.  We have to protect our islands for our future generations.

“I would like DOI to clarify when their intent is, and I have a follow-up call with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.”

Amata: O le finagalo lava o tagata ou te tu ai

Laumua i Uosigitone – O se saunoaga lea a le Faipule Tamaitai ia Uifaatali e uiga i minerale taua o le sami:

“O le finagalo lava o tagata ou te faamuamua, ma ou te tu faatasi ma i latou.  E sili ona taua ia te i tatou o tatou sami ma eleele, e afua mai i le iliti tai e o’o atu i le tuasivi, o lo tatou tofi lea mai le Atua.  E leai so tatou e loto ina ia o’o mai ni Faiga e leaga ai o tatou fanua.  Faapei ona ou faalauiloa faalauaitele atu, ina ua mae’a le faasalalauga mai le Matagaluega o le Initeria, ou te le lagolagoina le faaaoga o tekenolosi faa-ona po nei e valusia pe ave ese pe eli ai le iliti tai o loo tau lata i o tatou motu e sili ona matagofie.  E fou i le toatele o nai o tatou tagata ma ua aafia ai o latou finagalo i lenei mataupu e uiga i minerale aoga mai le sami.  E ao lava ona o tatou faia ni faaiuga faautauta e faavae i luga o mau ua maua mai ae faia lava e tusa ma finagalo o tagata o Amerika Samoa!

Ua ou fesiligia le Matagaluega o le Initeria e uiga i laasaga o le a uia ma le itu aso latou te feiloa’i ai ma ta’ita’i o Amerika Samoa.  E atugalu foi so’u taofi i aafiaga o nai o tatou tagata ma lo ta siosiomaga i le eliga o nei minerale aoga.  E ao lava ona tatou puipui o tatou motu auā o tatou tupulaga atalī.  Ou te loto ina ia faamanino mai lo latou faamoemoe, ma o loo loma la ma feutagaina ma le Failautusi o le Initeria, le susuga a Doug Burgum.” 

Metallic nodule pictured on table cloth, courtesy of C.M. and Tisa Fa’amuli

BACKGROUND

Uifaatali’s formal statement is part of the growing list of local leaders such as Gov. Pulaali’i N. Pula and former Gov. Lolo M. Moliga that have taken stances concerning deep sea mining.

In the case of Lolo, he has asked our Congresswoman to lead the fight against it, while Governor Pulaali’i has said he will make sure that American Samoa has a say in any development of deep-sea mining in or near the Territory’s waters, especially in light of the possible economic benefits.