Rena Babbitt Lane
P.O. Box 539
Tonalea, AZ 86044

 

December 13, 1999

To: Hon. Eldridge Coochise
Hearing Officer
Hopi Tribe
8565 W. Granada Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85037

Dear the Honorable Coochise,

Re: The Hopi Tribe, Petitioner vs. Marsha Monestersky, Respondent in the
Hopi Tribe Exclusion Process, Hopi Indian Reservation, Kykotsmovi, AZ

I am submitting this statement to support the continued work and presence of
Marsha Monestersky on what is known as Hopi Partition Land (HPL) in the Black
Mesa region of Arizona.

My husband, John Lane and I do not understand the English language and cannot
read any official documents which concerns the relationship between my family
and the Hopi Tribe. A lot of times, we are not able to respond to the Hopi
Tribe in an official capacity since we only speak the Navajo language and
have no way to communicate. We cannot even recognize our written names in
the English language.

For the past several years I have needed and depended upon the services of
Marsha Monestersky as our legal assistant on numerous occasions.

Without the help of Marsha Monestersky, I would be concerned for my health,
well-being, and the continuity of my livelihood on my own land. Her legal
assistance is the only thing I have to count on and affirm that her presence
here on HPL is essential to me and the survival of my family and my people. I
fully support her and her work on our behalf.

It is my hope you will exempt her from exclusion because she serves me and
the Dineh people as legal assistant. Thank you,

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

Rena Babbitt Lane

 

 

Translated and witnessed by: ____________________________________________

cc: Joe Washington, Esq., counsel for Marsha Monestersky
Scott Canty, Esq., counsel for the Hopi Tribe