To the Big Mountain list:

Part I

I am John Benally, spokesperson from the Big Mountain community. I just want
to let you know I have read what you have been putting out on the Internet
for Swaneagle (I don't know what her real name is) and her followers. I
believe this is dangerous for my people. We, ourselves, we just try to be
humble and try to avoid all of the problems and rumors and the gossip about
our struggle. We don't want any misleading information put out on the Big
Mountain list dealing with violence like discussion of guns and ammo or any
threats of violence.

If these supporters want to help, they should herd sheep and help make our
lives easier by hauling wood and water. We have no water in Big Mountain and
we are suffering.

The Big Mountain list should be monitored before being released, not just
allowing anyone access to posting on the Big Mountain list whenever they find
a computer. There are those of us that go places, New York and Geneva to
educate people about our survival. We are the representatives of our people.

This goes for all the people that are inflaming our struggle. We already
have enough problems and enough issues to deal with like fighting the US
government to make them understand that we are still human and to have
respect for us. The Navajo tribe and the Hopi do not help us. Who do we
have to help us? We appreciate the work that Marsha Monestersky is doing to
support us and have no one else to turn to. Why don't the supporters help us
by doing paperwork, doing outreach, or providing us with gas money or
vehicles for outreach? These people are not helping us by running around
with their own agenda.

Please do not misunderstand this posting. We do appreciate your support.

Thank you very much,
John Benally