[Please, share with your contacts or post.
Thanks, BYK]
Greetings Relatives,
I would like for you to take a moment
and remember that the traditional indigenous resistance
still continues on Black Mesa. This resistance has obviously,
in previous decades, been an extreme expression of a
fight for liberation. It is, of course, not your typical
subtle expression of a politically opinionated protest
that involves basic environment or heritage issues.
This traditional resistance has been a continuation
of the very core of a land based, indigenous society's
struggle for survival—a society that has, up to recent
times, lived off-the-land: grew crops, hunted and
gathered, raised livestock, maintained their own natural
springs, practiced the complete essence of religious
rituals, and maintained a unique language and clan system
of deep ancestral origin. Today, the world's largest
coal mining company, Peabody Western, continues to encroach
as they are backed by the U.S. government's forcible-relocation
policies. At the forefront of this encroachment is the
B.I.A.'s Indian policies which initiate tribal government
activities that undermine these traditional entities
of sovereignty.
Your prayers and support
are very much
needed! I have been approached by individuals who are
concerned for the welfare of these resisters; and because
of the lack of a stable network and volunteer/support
personnel, we are unable to make a complete assessment
of the situation in the regions of resistance. It is
assumed that other elder and younger residents are experiencing
hardship at this time. Currently, there are two critical
hardships taking place.
Lawrence Altsisi needs support (though,
details are not specific yet). He is a Dineh resident
whose parents and relatives have abandoned the ancestral
lands for relocation benefits, and now he is still defying
orders from the BIA Hopi Agency Law Enforcement to either
relocate or sign the Accommodation Agreement. His only
means of transportation has been impounded by the BIA
Indian agency, and he is unable to haul firewood or
water to this residence. He resides about 6 miles SE
of the Rocky Ridge General Store. We will try to update
you more pending available time and resources to get
out there to visit with him.
Rena B. Lane and her son have also been
threatened and harassed. They reside in one of the most
remote regions of Black Mesa. Due to the intense drought,
the Lane family had moved their sheep herd to a more
suitable grazing area within their ancestral ranging
area. The BIA Hopi Agency discovered the family's sheep
camp and began to threatened them with livestock impoundment,
but they remained with the sheep camp until the herd
gained back its health. More recently, Rena's son was
preparing for the winter when the Agency law enforcement
personnel charged him again (for about the third time
now) with "illegally" cutting firewood. All
his tools were confiscated, and with that he has lost
his second chainsaw to the BIA. Shortly after that, their
only functioning vehicle has broken down; and they are
now coping with transportation problems.
I wish to
ask for your support on behalf
of these resisters—resisters who have never acknowledged
the federal policies of genocide. Thus, they have enforced
their sovereign rights based on aboriginal and treaty
statuses and have never chosen to sign any government
documents. First of all, as supporters we should
re-establish
a network strategy and began sending letters to these
Indian agencies and the Dept. of Justice. These indigenous
residents do not deserve to be subjected to such hardship
and humiliation just because they have honored their
ancestral ties to the Earth.
Finally, I am certain that
these resisters are hoping for helpers and other means
of logistical support. Due to their claims to sovereignty,
and being "lawfully" affected by a Congressional
Act, we are NOT pursuing lawsuits or any sort of injunctions.
Your support is needed in the form of offering prayers
and giving direct support so that they can continue
to remain on their lands.
If you are interested, notify myself and
I can furnish you with direct contact information.
Thank you for you time and continued support.
/S/
Bahe Y. Katenay
Dineh from Big Mountain
REPLY TO:
iindon49@hotmail.com
& CC: byk@dana.ucc.nau.edu
[Written also on behalf of UAP (Unpopular
Activist Page) October 2004]
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