Fall 2003: Statement from Black Mesa Relocation Resisters

Statement from the Sovereign Dineh Communities
A statement from the Sovereign Dineh communities of Red Willow
and Cactus Valley and a brief update about the Black Mesa food and supply run.

"Dineh Gathering Gives Navajo Leader More Then An Ear Full"

Big Mountain, Black Mesa, AZ. The Sovereign Dineh communities of Red Willow and Cactus Valley hosted a meeting, where tribal officials were invited. Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley was able to attend this meeting with "HPL" resisters and residents. Numerous tribal council members were in attendance, as well as independent attorneys for Dineh resistors. A good number of traditional elders from local and regional areas were present, and this showed an adequate representation of remaining resistors from throughout the 900,000 acres partitioned by the U.S. government back in 1977.

Kee Watchman, a Red Willow Springs resident and organizer of the gathering, states that the elders who made testimony before the tribal officials and other guests showed a strong will for continued residency and to resist the relocation policies.

Elders were in solidarity in verifying that the harsh relocation policies are still taking a toll on their daily lives and on the future for the coming generations.

"It is not that we make up stories about our suffering, just look at us or live with us for a week and you shall see how much suffering we go through each day just to resist and hold on to our ancestral lands," one elder's testimony stated.

Another elder told the tribal officials, "We have been resisting, doing protest marches, confronting BIA Law Enforcement operations, traveling to Washington D.C. and abroad; but our suffering under these relocation policies are still unchanged."

Another elder added, "You, Mr. President, like all other tribal leaders before, used us resistors or our issues for your campaign and now you have been elected. So, are we to expect the realization of your promises about what you said you would do for us?"

Other resisters presented issues of concerns for the surrounding vacant lands as a result of forcible relocation and that these territories should be reclaimed by the current generation of youth whose parents or grandparents relocated while they, the youth, were never compensated. Elders have just recently questioned all the years of resistance when it had been stated that "those [years of] resistance were in the name of the youth," and why no further attempts are being made to inform the youth about this. This was one issue that the elders stressed to all those that were gathered.

Environmental concerns were brought up by some elders. It was reaffirmed that the communities are still in opposition to Peabody Western Coal Company's continued desecration of the Earth. A couple of elders expressed the community concerns about fire wood collections methods use by the hundreds of wood haulers and that they are destroying new tree growth.

"The BIA Hopi Range Technicians and Police say they are protecting the woodlands but they only look for people to charge with unauthorized wood hauling, and they don't care about the destruction caused by too many wood-hauling trails and littering," one local resident said.

Watchman informed the tribal officials that the Hopi tribal government should be recognized for taking part in the inhumane relocation policies. An outstanding example is how they approach the Accommodation Agreement policy. The Hopi government has practiced a "divide and conquer", style policy by making it known that they will only work with the "75-year Lease Holders." These practices have divided the people further, and this is obviously a violation of International Human Rights policies.

Watchman further explained, "It is a deliberate practice of segregation to give privilege to a portion of a homogenous community and at the same time, deny the other segment the use of their ancestral region/home sites."

The Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation Commission (NHIRC) is still offering benefits for those resisters who might still accept relocation. Watchman says that the Dineh resisters feel this is a waste of (American) tax-dollars and that those monies should be directed towards the rehabilitation of (HPL) Dineh culture and that includes the potential resettlement by the youth who are still entitled to those ancestral areas.

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley addressed the gathered local residents and residents from surrounding traditional communities. President Shirley informed that he has had several meetings with Hopi Tribal Chairman, Wayne Taylor, and in those meetings he has heard from a more humanley-concerned Hopi chairman.

"The Hopi chairman expressed a better sense towards the (Navajo)-Hopi history of inter-tribalism and the intricate connections through intermarriage which has made him realize that, 'we are not only neighbors but relatives,'" the Presidents told the resistors and their guests.

The Hopi Chairman has further expressed a need to seek resolution of reconciliation with the Dineh resistors and that he does recognize that the relocation laws of 1974 have appeared to be harsh for any human being.

President Shirley tried to reassure the gathering at Clarence Black Rock's residence that there is hope with this realization of the Hopi government and that he will consider all the legitimate testimonies and concerns shared by all presenters at the November 8th meeting. Shirley also said that he personally values the causes of the resisters of the Big Mountain regions, and he will continue to maintain a better dialogue with the Hopi tribal government.

The Dineh resisters are currently drafting a Resolution which will be an attempt to make the Navajo Nation government address the various issues outlined from this recent meeting, and it will strongly emphasize reaching out to and encouraging the youths to become interested in reclaiming ancestral lands. The next meeting in the Cactus Valley community is set for November 25th to review and finalize the Resolution.

An On-Land, Non-Indian supporter had expressed concerns for vacant home sites left by former resisters, and one in particular is the Roberta Blackgoat home site at Thin Rock Mesa. Owen Johnson reported that the BIA-Hopi Range Technicians are heavily monitoring the Blackgoat home site, and there could be plans to demolish the late resistance leader's home. The Navajo Nation President was informed about this as well to show him the meaning of what "daily suffering and resisting" is all about. Thus, the President needs to convey these concerns to the Hopi Tribal chairman about all the intentions of destroying abandoned or vacant home sites.

Non-Indian and international support is still important to the survival of the land-based, traditional Dineh resisters. Supporters are still asked to continue the fight to save our Earth and its indigenous peoples by writing U.S. congressional legislators and the tribal governments. Letters and petitions should inform these agencies and its representatives about the continuing genocide, injustices, environmental devastation, and violations of human rights in northeastern Arizona.

The Big Mountain Thanksgiving Food and Supply Run; 2003 Beauty Way Tour Underway

The bulk of the caravan is expected to arrive in Flagstaff, Arizona, on the eve of Sunday, November 22nd. The next morning the caravan will be on Black Mesa. For those meeting up with the caravan in Flagstaff, a good place to meet is Macey's Coffee Shop, just off of Route 66, on Beaver St. You can also call the BMIS voicemail if you have any questions. 928-773-8086. If we are still in town, we can meet you at Macey's.

We are still looking for people with trucks and vans to help with deliveries on the land. We can get the food and supplies to base camp, but many of the resisters live in remote areas and don't have transportation; so delivery is key to getting the aid where it needs to go. This is also the way you get to see the land, meet the people and get a feel for the situation. You will be glad you did it.

Black Mesa Indigenous Support (BMIS) is a group of individuals acting to support the sovereignty of the indigenous people affected by mining activities on Black Mesa, who face forced relocation, environmental devastation, and cultural extinction at the hands of multi-national corporations, and United States and tribal governments.

Reprinted as an historical reference document under the Fair Use doctrine of international copyright law. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html