April 13, 1999
Update:
B.I.A. begins livestock impoundment on Navajo-Hopi Land disputed area.
Who: Armed B.I.A. agents and Hopi rangers
What: Livestock impoundment
When: Ongoing throughout the year
Where: Hopi partitioned Lands (HPL)
Why: Federal policies declare Navajo (Dine’) livestock are
over acceptable levels
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Hopi Agency, has recently requested Dine’ families to have all their livestock corralled on specified dates. According to Fred Chaves, in charge of Land Operations, impoundment pertaining to these notices WA set to begin on February 22, 1999 and will continue throughout the rest of the year. These notices were given to both signers and non-signers of the Accommodation Agreement (AA). We have confirmed word from the families have had their sheep impounded as of February 25, 1999. There are verified accounts that some of the rangers are armed, and at least one human rights observer was detained during a particular impoundment.
The BIA counts and impounds all animals over the limits set by Federal law. Anything found over the permitted levels is considered a trespass and illegal. The signers of the AA are typically allowed 33 units, while the non-signers are usually allowed 10 units.
1 sheep or goat = 1 unit, 1 cow = 4 units, and 1 horse = 5 units
Because the Dine’ depend primarily on their livestock for survival, this is far below subsistence level. Once the animals are confiscated, the livestock will be taken to Keams Canyon. They will remain impounded, in harsh conditions, until the resistors, form whom they were taken, can “purchase” them back. Ironically, if the family brings the livestock back to the homesite exceeding the permit limits, the animals may be impounded again.
We urge you to apply pressure to the names listed below and utilize any legal and media contacts. flood their offices with calls, faxes, and letters to contest the illegality of these actions due to the pending 1998 Manybeads v. United State of America case currently in the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals in San Francisco, California.
Bob Caroline, BIA Hopi Agency
Washington D.C.
202.208.3598
Fred Chaves, BIA Hopi Agency
Hopi Indian Relocation Office
c/o City of Flagstaff, 211 W. Aspen Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ. 86001
It may also be effective to contact the Navajo Nation and pressure them to take a leading role in the protection of their people. The Begay Administration was recently elected to office. NOW is the time to take action.