Kee Shay and May Shay

P.O. Box 203

Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039

 

To: Ms. Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr. Abdelfattah Amor, Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance

Mr. Francis Deng, Special Rapporteur for Internally Displaced Persons

UN Commission on Human Rights

Mr. Wayne Taylor, Chairman, Hopi Tribe

Mr. Milton Bluehouse, President , Navajo Nation

Mr. Roman Bitsuie, Navajo Hopi Land Commission

 

Re: Non signers to the 75-year lease Agreement

 

On April 10, 1998 we received a Notice of Trespass on Hopi Tribal Lands. This was taped onto the door of our hogan. As long as I remember we lived in the area Pauline Whitesinger lives in. We used to move all over in this area. We had 1 particular hogan there for 50-60 years. Due to the age of the hogan falling apart we took apart the hogan to rebuild it. For many years ceremonies, prayers, family reunions-part of fond memories were there. We want to rebuild it in the same place. We want our children to be able to build homes here. This is our way of life but the Hopi Ranger said we can't rebuild here because this is Hopi lands. They said this is what the law says. We told them, we have fond memories of this place. We don't care about your laws. We will rebuild. If we try to rebuild a sheep corral it is the same thing. We can't do that. They believe we are trespassing. They are telling us we have no rights.

 

When I am at the hogan and they know I am there, the Rangers come by to show me their presence. They say this land is not ours it is Hopi Land, over and over. They have confiscated our livestock before and I had to fight them to get them out of impoundment. The grazing permit we recognize is the Navajo permit, this allows us enough livestock so we can survive.

 

A barbed wire fence dividing Hopi Partition Land and Navajo Partition Land divides our home from our grazing area. When Rangers come up to see us, some are friendly, others are not. Some say their grandfathers were Navajo even if they were brought up Hopi. This is how much intermarriage has happened over the years.

 

We are non signers of the 75-year lease Agreement. We will not give up our sacred ancestral land. We hope that the United Nations hears our concerns.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

Kee Shay May Shay

 

Translated by: Date:

Attachment: Notice to Cease New Construction and/or Trespass on Hopi Tribal Lands