>Dineh relocation discussed at meeting
>Kerry Brinkerhoff
>Staff Writer
>
>Brigham City - Monday night, November 8, several
>people gathered at the Brigham City Library to discuss
>Public Law 104-301, which calls for the relocation of
>3,000 Dineh people off of Black Mesa, AZ., by February
>1st, 2000. The Peabody Western Coal Company, which
>strip mines coal
>on the reservation, is behind this call for
>relocation. Peabody needs more coal rich land and the
>Dineh stands between them and the land. The Dineh
>religion forbids strip mining, which they
>believe is a violation to mother earth. The mine
>leaves the people living in the area with clouds
>of black dust and frequent blasting. It also poisons
>their surface water and has destroyed sole sources of
>sacred and medicinal plants. The Peabody Western Coal
>Company has destroyed thousands of ancient Anasazi
>cliff houses, burial and sacred sites, Dineh
>cemeteries. The residents are jailed if they try to
>stop any of this. The coal mining has caused many
>health
>problems and so has the relocation onto radioactive
>sites. There were 15 people present at the Brigham
>City meeting, about half were caucasion and the other
>half Dineh (Navajo) and Hopi.
> Mont Ogden of Ogden said "the fifth amendment gives
>us the right to property, that can't be taken away
>without due process of law." It was also said during
>the meeting that perhaps the "Cain and Able" story is
>told backwards; that Cain was cursed with a white
>skin. In looking back
>at history, white society destroys native peoples.
>All agreed that in this modern nation the persecution
>of minorities needs to stop.
> The documentary video "Vanishing Prayer: Genocide of
>the Dineh" was shown. It presented the position the
>Dineh are in. Afterwards the group was silent, some
>crying, until someone spoke up and said, "I'm ashamed
>this is happening."
> Then Ray Lopez, full blooded Dineh and retired
>Brigham City educator, told the group of the many
>hardships his people have had to endure. He said he
>knows many there who live the traditional ways without
>electricity or running water. These Elders have no
>say, the Tribal
>government and agents make decisions with out the
>support of their people. Ray also said the people
>should be allowed to stay there. He believes the
>conflict is all over money. "It is pitiful and sad to
>look at it" he said.
>Winona Shupla, Hopi of Roy, spent last year with her
>grandmother on the Hopi Reservation. She graduated
>from the high school there and talked about many of
>the challenges she faced in living the traditional
>way. Her grandmother did not have running water.
>Winona said there are problems between the Hopi and
>Dineh but they are working to make relations better.
>She said in school they talked about the Peabody Coal
>Company, who they believe is trying to take away their
>land. Not only did the Hopi and Dineh that night talk
>about the relocation. They also talked about the
>challenges they feel are present by living in Northern
>Utah. They all agreed they do not always feel accepted
>here. Shupla said she did not feel at home here so
>she went to live with her
>grandma on the Hopi reservation. However while there
>the kids teased her because she was not like them,
>they called her a "White Indian". Lopez answered,
>saying "we the Urban Indian, don't make any effort
>among ourselves." Ogden mentioned this must "cause
>quite an identity problem
>for the Urban Indian." Brigham City resident Leon
>Sorenson said it has been especially hard for him
>being half white and half Indian, and that he didn't
>quite know where he fit in.
>Norma Shupla, Winonas' mother, finished off the
>meeting with a sobering thought. "It don't matter who
>they are, how they look. Get along because someday
>you'll have to lean on each other."
>The Leader (Tremonton, Utah) December 1, 1999
>
>
>
>
>=====
>"In the life of an Indian, there was only one inevitable duty - the duty
of prayer - the daily recognition of the Unseen and Eternal...Whenever, in
the course of the daily hunt the red hunter comes upon a scene that is
strikingly beautiful, or sublime...he pauses for an instant in the attitude
of worship. He sees no need for setting apart one day in seven as a holy
day, since to him all days are God's"
>Ohiyesa (Dr. Charles Eastman), Sioux