Introduction This handbook is authorized by Glenna Begay, hereafter to be referred to as Grandma. This book will be constantly changing as more information comes in, we will always seek guidance from Glenna and her family as the contents change. It is our sole intent to create the basis of understanding that can be used with all the elders. This is however Glenna’s handbook. The contents are also designed to facilitate and enhance your capacity as a supporter of the Sovereign Dineh Nation. When we first approached Grandma with the idea of this handbook her first concern was the supporter’s health. Your role as a supporter is clearly defined; new ideas are always welcome. If you have ideas, do not try to implement them yourself. Our leadership is already in place, you are the supporter. Your intelligence and arrogance may serve you well in other places, but humility will serve you best here. If a problem arises go first to a supporter who has been there longer, if the problem is not solved – go to Grandma for advice. If your problem is with Grandma, apologize and please do what Grandma says. If your problem with Grandma is not resolvable in this way, then please respectfully leave. (Respect = Be nice, clean up your environment and leave quietly). If you are on Big Mountain and you are reading this handbook, maybe you know that this is a war the Grandma’s have insisted that we practice – strict non-violent procedures; do not under any conditions bring alcohol, drugs or weapons. Do however; bring cameras, cel phones, cb radios, video equipment and any other recording devices available to you. Bring pens and empty notebooks, laptops. Disposable cameras are cheap, easy to use and can be left with the elders if you do not use them, very important! YOUR HEALTH Supporters need to eat well and several times a day. Grandma who has 32 grandchildren gets very worried when supporters do not eat. He/She creates stress in her life when she has to worry if the supporter is taking care of the basics. Bring plenty of food to Big Mountain, especially if you are vegan or vegetarian, as the Dineh are meat eaters. If you run out of food (which you will if you stay there long enough) make arrangements with the Support Groups, Grandma or her family to stock up. The only way to do this is to give them a list and some money, of course if you have a vehicle you shop for yourself and extend the courtesy to Grandma. YOUR DRESS You will wear clothes. Grandma says some supporters wear sheets and that just doesn’t cut it. Please keep clothing gender and mode of dress appropriate for dealing with traditional Indian Elders. Mainly skimpy clothes are not appropriate, if in doubt look to Grandma and her family as to how they dress. It is not considered appropriate to go without a shirt and to wear short skirts, keep your knees covered girls. Remember her children pick up your habits. Big Mountain is cold, bring warm clothing. You can wash your clothes at Peabody Public Showers open Mon-Fri. Take advantage of those facilities if you are staying and plan to walk into Grandma’s house. Grandma would also like supporters to bathe no less than twice a week. Brush your teeth and wash your hands when you enter Grandma’s house to eat. Do not handle food without washing your hands. They will have a basin and soap with usually, a pot on the stove with water. It is better to ask than not to. LODGING Grandma uses her Hogan primarily for ceremony, occasionally people sleep there but it is best to just ask where you can stay. When the weather is warm it is fun to camp but again, ask where. LOCKDOWNS Lockdowns are optional and require authorization from the elders. Incident reports must always be completed. If you have not received non-violence training, we recommend that you seek it. Because of the filmed documentation we also strongly urge cleanliness and appropriateness of attire. Periodic documentation/non-violence training’s will be made available. In the event of physical contact and you are marked, injured, bruised, hospitalized or injured and not hospitalized (for whatever reasons) you must get photographs of your injuries and get witness reports. All supporters are to travel in groups of no less then two, for purposes of personal safety and witness credibility. CHORES You will pick up the specific routines of the elders you are with. Remember that we are here to serve these people. CULTURAL PROTOCOLS Don’t bring your ceremonies into their space. Cultural sensitivity means you are not here to educate these people or influence any change on their way of life. Our presence should have no impact on anyone, except to deter human and civil rights violations. As activists this action will present a unique opportunity for you to act as a true Warrioress/Warrior. This doesn’t mean you can run around calling yourself one, although you are here to prevent human rights violations; your down time will be filled with activities which serve the people in their daily lives. A beautiful mix of humility and productivity is what makes a warrior/warrioress. CEREMONY Don’t get too excited because you see or hear the word Ceremony. Just because Ceremony is going on doesn’t mean you will be invited. It is considered rude to ask to participate. Please don’t take this personally. TOOLS Don’t use axes, mauls, wedges, CHAINSAWS or other hand tools unless you know how to use them. Recently a supporter nearly cut off his thumb and Grandma’s daughter had to take him to the hospital. Accidents can and do happen to the best, but this must be minimized. Tools you should bring if you can – Chainsaws, axes, mauls, wedges, binoculars, flashlights, lots of batteries, shovels, picks, gardening/outhouse tools, hammers, nails, generator, skillsaws, etc. Cooking gear and utensils, you won’t always be able to use Grandma’s kitchen. OTHER DO’S AND DON’TS Remember that you are there to protect the environment. Don’t drop your cigarettes and other litter on the ground. Maintain outstanding environmentalism. When you leave take your trash with you and ask Grandma if she needs you to take any trash with you. OBSERVING AND REPORTING Any contact with law enforcement must be documented. Forms will be provided. Make sure the original is left with Grandma or Marsha Monestersky. Incident reports will be filled out in their entirety, for legal reasons all blanks must be filled in. This information includes your name, the date of the occurrence and a brief statement factually describing the incident. Do not make interpretive statements in the body of the document. (Hopi Ranger X was a jerk) Interpretive statements do irreparable damage to the integrity of the document. An activist’s legal name is only to be used. Names like Swan Duck are inappropriate. Your signature is required on the bottom of the document and a mailing address where you can be reached when you are not on site. This is to facilitate due process. The only blanks you will not write on will be the signature blank for the site supervisor, and the adjacent date. The body of the document should include the name of the contacting officer’s and their badge numbers. Direct quotes from the contact, time of occurrence. Of course you are not always going to be standing there with an incident report during the contact. You should be concerned about thoroughly documenting the incident. This is our real power, you should be filming, taking pictures, writing film notations, audio recording during the incident. The information collected by these materials is what you base your incident report on and any corresponding film, photographs should be turned in with the incident report. This is a complete incident report package. In the event that full witness camp is at someone’s residence, someone will be on duty 24 hrs, and another form will be introduced. This is the daily activity report. It’s nothing more than a log, once again, follow the rules above. DO NOT ENTER “ALL SECURE”. There are only two proper entries on this form, 1. Site appears normal, 2 see incident report. Again only your legal name will be used on this report with the date. Ten Points to Remember: 1. Always travel in pairs 2. Your personal safety is your responsibility 3. Be prepared to document, have a camera, pen and paper at least. 4. You are here to help these people at this hard time. You are not here to be their savior, do not judge their way of life. 5. Stay healthy and hygienic, keep your environment organized and ready. 6. No romantic relationships with families on this land. Public displays of affection between supporters are inappropriate. 7. Remember the children pick up your habits. 8. Maintain a non-violent posture at all times. 9. Observe all cultural protocols 10. No alcohol drugs or weapons.