And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>From BIGMTLIST
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 1999 15:09:20 -0700 (MST)
From: Bahe Yazzie Katenay <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Witness Camp still there: Update.....
Greetings Supporters and Concerned Public,
The Educational Witness Camp is currently in existence as of this morning.
The energy of the traditional people and the temporary stay by supporters
is 'out-bursting' with good intentions. There are two tipis now set up
and
a large kitchen, and by the end of this coming there should be two more
tipis. Nearly eight university students have either completed their
witnessing project and more are currently still in the areas where the
traditional Dineh are in resistance. The experiences for these students
have been very educational, and so far the reports and journals which they
have done or still working on it are excellent. If this energy continues
throughout June and on into July, the compiled reports will be successful
and will be a very informative packet that will reflect more on the Human
Rights violations occuring within these Dineh communities.
These student-witnesses have been able to maintain their journals and
reading the reference packets provided to them despite the intense
chores that they are doing for resistors. Besides other supporter
presences on the "HPL," the Witness Camp participants have: planted acres
of fields with corn, squash, melons, beans, patotoes, and other vegetables
or herbal teas. Some are helping with shearing of wool and mohair from
the
sheep and goat herds. There are numerous other assistance that these lone
elder, resistors need and despite the limited amount of supporters, those
resistors who have been helped are very grateful. However, the most
outstanding aspect of this action is as the elders put it, "We are feeling
very safe now." [ed:portion of quote deleted for security reasons]
This brings us to the seriousness of our discussion about the situation
of
a BIA-Controlled territory. The Witness Camp is set up near Pauline
Whitesinger's resident and on her ancestral homelands. Pauline is a
Non-signer to the AA Lease, and this categorizes her as a trespasser and
whatever she does to carry out her traditional livelihood is an offense.
The Witness Camp hosts have been intimidated and are being told that they
should acquire an appropriate 'Hopi Tribal Permit.' Accompanied by the
BIA
Police and with other units standing by nearby, the new force known only
as 'Hopi tribal Range Monitorers' have made weekly visits to the Witness
Camp. I must now inform you, that any 'good' citizen in America can obtain
such a permit to hold public activity, but there in Big Mountain such
procedure does not exist even though these Indian agents for the Peabody
Coal Empire might try to express a goodwill gesture. The BIA again is
attempting to create confusion and diversions with the already existing,
'divide and conquer' state in order to fine means to demand that the
Witness Camp remove itself. Elder, Pauline has arrived or intervened at
each of these BIA visits, and she has told them that the BIA need to begin
showing some community services instead of questioning support activities
that she has invited onto her grazing area.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have seen or heard of 'support' or 'supply runs'
and now, what you hearing about is a silent confrontation between normal
American citizens who have a legitimate invitations from the resistors
and the agents of Federal governments. The Witness Camp is now maintaining
week to week, and had it not been for the outrageous support from the
traditional resistance communities' this Camp would have been forced out
already. This is Week 4 and more students and supporters are aspected to
come and participate in this "Public Interventions" to defend and document
the Human Rights of these 'abandoned' Dineh who continue to uphold their
ancient beliefs. The head field commander of the BIA Police that has
assisted the 'field Monitorers' has told the Camp hosts that they, the
BIA, aren't going to accept a "Global Invitation" to the Witness Camp.
Contrary to that official wish the elders have stated that they are the
ones requesting this Global Invitation and have every right to do so based
on their 1868 Treaty Rights, Human Rights, Sovereignty, and ancient
Hopi-Dineh Alliance.
Many of the elders have reported throughout the "HPL" especially in the
Black Mesa region that BIA Police activity has ceased. They are anxious
to
see a revival of the former SDN Survival Camp. Again, their wishes can
and
should depend on your support, as well as prayers, and it has always
depended upon that. If you are not able to attend this On Land Support
through the Witness Camp or other non-Indian helper groups, we asked that
you send letters requesting that this Camp and supporter presences should
be protected and not be further intimindated or be subjected to
harassments. It is all our Human Rights to intervene this injustice like
this relocation in the name of energy explorations. Please, continue to
write letters in regards to the Witness Camp and that Mrs. Pauline
Whitesinger still has every right to invite a temporary encampment which
has an intent to oversee the welfare of the communities under seige, and
because the Enacted Relocation Policies never dictated the protection of
the social welfare of the traditional elders. This is where the news
should be! Not in the Balkans or Iraq! The humanitarian efforts at Big
Mountain is happening at doorstep of the American people! I worry everyday
for my elders, and now I have to hope that such honorable, human
commitment like the Witness Camp can never be threatened any further.
If you can come to the land, stop by or help the people. Just camping out
at the Witness Camp was healing for me because it showed me that we all
as
a Global community still have an edge. There is hope for the future
generations. Only by such grassroots, community-based and wise elders can
there be hope for this ancient Hopi-Dineh coexistence on Black Mesa.
Again, for any further information about schedule activities at the
Witness Camp refer back to the 'Global Invitation' or contact other
Support Groups.
Thank so much for your time, and the continous prayers so that we all can
complete or maintain our assistance to the elders.
In the Spirit of Chief Barboncito, Bahe
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
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