Dooda Desert Rock supporters hold prayer gathering

By Andy Bessler, Navajo Hopi Observer, NOVEMBER 21, 2007
Tribal Partnerships Program coordinator

BURNHAM, N.M.-There are many tools required to stop a massive coal-fired power plant such as effective lobbying, strong legal arguments and solid grassroots organizing.

Prayer is also a strong tool that Navajo organizers used as they called upon higher powers to inspire the struggle to stop the proposed 1,500 mega watt coal-fired Desert Rock Power Plant.

From Nov. 8-11, Dooda Desert Rock organizers set up a powerful prayer gathering at their camp for traditional Navajo prayers aimed at stopping the plant and bringing a clean energy future to the Navajo Nations and the Four Corners region. Over 100 people attended along with several Navajo Nation officials and traditional local leaders.

Within sight and sound of a churning coal dragline in its dusty shroud at the nearby Navajo Mine, the camp was complete with a kitchen, camping area, sweat lodges and sacred fire that burned during the gathering. Prayers were shared by Navajo medicine men as well as nearby residents concerned about the proposed coal-firedplant and expansions of nearby coal mining.

For two nights straight, prayers were sung. Donations of sheep, goats and other food came to the camp from all directions.

Elouise Brown and her family fed the over 100 attendees with the help of volunteers to cook and keep the camp clean for all. Several sweat lodges helped attendees clear the minds and bodies of the nearby coal mining.

During one night of the event, Shonto Begay, a Navajo artist from Arizona, held up a bright flashlight to point to some stars and we realized what we were breathing. Like someone had just dusted off a giant couch pillow, the beam of light showed the air filled with a high density of particulates most likely from the nearby coal mine.

While the grit on people's teeth was bad for a few days, folks nearby must live with this daily and report many relatives fighting cancer battles of their own.

Local residents live with a huge struggle to avoid more air pollution from the Desert Rock coal-fired power plant.

A huge thanks to several Rio Grande Chapter volunteers who helped contribute to the effort. Thanks to everyone from the Northern New Mexico Group and Rio Grande Chapter that helped in the effort.

Several Sierra Club folks came from Arizona and Colorado as well. The Sierra Club's Tribal Partnership Program helped out with food, and prayers that a clean energy future is on the way.

Thanks to all in their efforts to stop the Desert Rock Power Plant and find a clean energy path for all of us!

For more information on Desert Rock, visit the Sierra Club's Rio Grande Chapter's website at

http://www.riogrande.sierraclub.org/campaigns/desert_rock_power_plant/desertrock_power_plant.htm or visit www.dooda-desert-rock.net.