And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >From BIGMTLIST Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 16:14:21 -0700 (MST) From: Bahe Yazzie Katenay <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: UPDATE: Camp Anna Mae.... Greetings Supporters, First of all, many Thanks to all those who've made strong prayers for understanding among the relatives, and to those who made efforts in contacting the agencies responsible for the roadblockades. On Wednesday (July 14th) afternoon during the Sundance Tree Ceremony, top officials from the BIA-Hopi Agency law enforcement were presence on the Sundance site, this according to key, non-Indian supporter. Family sponsors and elder Ruth Benally again reiterated to these officials that they [officials] must then see for themselves how the traditional Dineh resistors consider and hold this dance sacred. It was furthered requested, again, that the BIA Agency law enforcement activities that has targeted the Sundances to halt all monitoring or interferences of the ceremonies. The BIA-Hopi Agency officials who were in plain clothes were invited by the family sponsors to not only witness, but to be part of the ceremony. These agency police chief and leutinent stood within the encircled onlookers at this ancient Tree Ceremony. This ceremony was the official start of the dancers entry into the sacred hoop of the Sundance Way. After these officers' participation of hearing the songs, breathing the cedar smoke, and watching the dancers pay homage to the Tree of Life, they [officers] said, "it is a moving experience." They told the family sponsors that they will have a different opinion and that, they will suggest to their superiors for a reconsideration of the police presence. According to the source, who is a key, non-Indian supporter (who does want their name disclosed) said this might have been a result of meeting between elder Ruth Benally along with her translators and the BIA-Hopi officials on Tuesday, July 13th. This unannounced and informal meeting took place on the Hopi reservation where the Hopi tribal officials, the BIA law enforcement, and the Hopi tribal rangers showed the willingness and respect to talk. This four hour long meeting had resulted in the law enforcement personnel stating that the blockade will be enforced and with denial of entry to nonresidents of the area. Dineh elder, Ruth Benally, told these tribal officials that she repeatly been through all the lenghty processes of acquiring permit each year since the BIA restriction had been imposed. And that last summer's signing of the permit was done because she was, "under duress." She stated, "I just wanted the assurance that the [1998] Sundance will happen, and the Hopi tribe must take note that it was a forced promise in signing the permit though it stated it would be the final dance. However, I didn't want to keep trying to explain the conditions of the four year commitments for holding the dances." Soon after the Tree Ceremony on Wednesday and after the BIA law officials left the Sundance site, an Ariz. State Navajo County Sheriff's officer showed up at the dance site and told the sponsors that the roadblockade will be transformed into a simple 'check-point.' There would be continued monitoring of the dance site and so a police presence will be maintained at the entrance of the Camp Ann Mae. The 'check-point' at the Dinnebito Dam road and Highway 264 could deny entry for those having deliquent paper work or records. The atmosphere of a complete blockade has turned into the permission of entry to all and that, supporters and dancers seem to be arriving at Camp Anna Mae in more numbers. So, as of Thursday evening at the completion of the first day of the "Joe and Alice Benally Memorial Sundance" things had again remained normal for this ancient way of worship. Thank you again for your support time and meaningful prayers. Now, lets hope that a stronger understanding arise from these experiences and perhaps, lessons. Like Lakota Sundance Chief Joe Chasing Horse said at the first Big Mountain Sundance last week, "In order to maintain our Indigenous struggle and survivals, we have to all work towards the reunification of all the relatives of the world. We must all make sacrifices of understandings, true commitments, and respects which can only be achieve through these Sacred Ways of Praying." To All My Relations and In the Spirit of Chief Barboncito, Bahe ******************************************** For Big Mountain and other activist internet resources, visit "The Activist Page" at http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/welcome.html Also, for great internet tools please visit: http://www.msw.com.au/cgi-bin/msw/entry?id=1271 ******************************************** Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ UPDATES: CAMP JUSTICE http://shell.webbernet.net/~ishgooda/oglala/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
