And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Arizona Republic <http://www.azcentral.com/news/0109zoo.shtml> Fate of Navajo zoo still unclear By Bill Donovan Jan. 9, 1999 WINDOW ROCK -- The fate of the Navajo Nation Zoo remained uncertain Friday and is likely to remain so for several weeks. Most of the six medicine men who attended a meeting called by the tribe to discuss the zoo's future seemed in favor of closing the facility immediately and releasing all the animals back into the wild. But the tribe had invited 21 medicine men to the meeting, and those who attended said they wished to consult the others before a final decision was made. Another meeting is to be held in March or April. The fate of the zoo and its 100 or so animals was put in doubt last month after tribal officials were told by residents of the small community of Rocky Ridge that Navajo deities had visited the area and urged the tribe to stop caging such sacred animals as bears, coyotes and eagles. Lolene Hathaway, director of the tribal zoo, said efforts have been made to persuade tribal traditionalists that a zoo has a number of cultural and educational benefits. She pointed out that more than 32,000 people, most of them Navajo, visited the zoo in 1998. Many had come to offer prayers to the animals. She also pointed out that the zoo tries to honor requests from traditional Navajos who need such items as porcupine quills for healing ceremonies. Gerri Harrison, counsel to Navajo Nation President Milton Bluehouse, said late Friday that Bluehouse had not yet been told of the group's decision but that she felt he would honor the medicine men's request and postpone action. However, Bluehouse's term as president ends at noon Tuesday. The zoo's fate will then rest in the hands of the tribe's new president, Kelsey Begaye. Begaye said Friday that he was briefed on the situation by Bluehouse and his staff but will wait to hear from the medicine men before making a decision. <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
