BIG MOUNTAIN, AZ -- February 4, 2000
A Message from John Benally and the People from the Mountain --
Greetings to all the supporters in all parts of the world.
Thank you for
your solidarity and your support. We would like to continue working
together
to resolve our crisis and achieve a fair solution.
One definite solution is that the Dineh get back their home
without the
intervention of the federal government. In other words, home
rule so we can
be self-governing.
Since we already are a Nation and excercising our ways of life,
we believe
this is the only solution we can see if going to resolve our issue.
We must
reverse all the legislation that has to do with Relocation, Public
Law 93-531
and Public Law 104-301.
Efforts and threats by the US government to forcefully evict
Dineh resisters
were thwarted by the presence of international and national human
rights
observers. About 500 supporters traveled here to show their solidarity
with
Dineh resisters.
About 200 elders and Dineh people came to share Ceremony with
the Prayer Walk
- 25 walkers from Japan and other people from Peru, Sweden, Canada,
Argentina, Germany, Mexico and France.
We are glad we got to spend some time with the Prayer Walk.
We thank the
Creator that protected them and ensured their safety. Please
come back again
and support us again.
Thank you to the people who locked down and participated in
demonstrations
and Prayer Vigils around the US and the world. There is a Buddhist
right now
who is fasting and praying in front of the Office of Navajo and
Hopi Indian
Relocation Commission in Flagstaff, AZ.
What we are discussing now is a Call for 6 Months of Peace.
A 6 Month time
when we will be allowed our human rights. Our right to live
without the
fear of livestock confiscation's, evictions, relocation. Our right
to
adequate housing, road repair. Our right to survive.
Instead of February 1, signaling a time of deadline and devastation,
we
celebrated with traditional Hopi and Dineh solidarity and friendship
at the
barbed wire fenceline that separates our people.
We ask for your help to support the call for 6 months of peace.
Please call and write Wayne Taylor, Jr., Chairman of The Hopi
Tribe
P.O. Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039, Phone: (520) 734-3000
Please copy Sovereign Dineh Nation on all letters sent, P.O.
Box 1968,
Kaibeto, AZ 86053.
We are glad that finally there were articles published about
some of our
people that have already relocated. It is a real tragic story.
How a
beautiful way of life has been destroyed by these laws. So, the
2,000 mark
of resisting in this European colonial nation that invaded us
many, many
moons ago, needs to be told - what Human Rights are. And what
it means to be
Indigenous from this hemisphere.
So thank you very much for your support, we will try to update
you and keep
in touch.
Please check out Saturday, January 29 - Wednesday, February
2 issues of the
Arizona Republic article (see link)
http://www.azcentral.com/news/navahopi/navahopi4.shtml
Please call the AZ Republic to let them know that you want
them to continue
running articles about the Dineh resisters.
1-800-331-9303, ext. 8185
We need your support.
Thank you,
John Benally and Marsha Monestersky
in communication with people from the Mountain