Big Mountain: On-Land, Decolonized-Spirited Gathering, Nov. 21 - 27 and Beyond
Friday, November 20, 2015 17:29
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By NaBahii Keediniihii
Censored News
French translation by Christine Prat
http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=3102
Yaa’at’eeh (Good Greetings) Relatives and Comrades,
I hope that you and your families are enjoying the fall climate or the seasonal changes, and that you are being thankful for each day.
We, myself and a few non-Native and Dineh, wish to tell you about a need of urgency that is taking place in the remote lands of Big Mountain. Also we wish to send this message on behalf of the few elders who have stood up against the U.S. – Peabody genocide policies for over 40 years. If you at least know what traditional means or what land-base resistance is, these last Dineh elders out here have had much impact on the modern world and modern indigenous activism. Now we are entering a new era, an era that they tried to resist because it would eventually exterminate their future outlook for traditions and land-base existence.
It is natural that old age comes with much helplessness and weakened physical
health, and these former traditional warriors are still trying their best to stay on the lands they cherish and love. Most of the seasons they are alone and most of the time there’s no visitation from family members because America’s urban life has consumed those lives. The U.S. Indian Law and Peabody aggression however continues and making progress with daily police monitoring and intimidation as Peabody waits for the BIA’s green light to expand.
health, and these former traditional warriors are still trying their best to stay on the lands they cherish and love. Most of the seasons they are alone and most of the time there’s no visitation from family members because America’s urban life has consumed those lives. The U.S. Indian Law and Peabody aggression however continues and making progress with daily police monitoring and intimidation as Peabody waits for the BIA’s green light to expand.
This is the frontline of the fossil fuel extraction and exports to generate more electricity and maximize corporate profits. Not to mention the continuous emissions of toxic greenhouse gas from the Navajo Generating Station, and while Gov. policies have distracted native activism to corporate headquarters, far from the frontlines. We don’t stop this corporate and low-key militarized invasion, 450,000 acres of pristine Big Mountain lands will go under the industrialized poison fields, choking coal dust and endless web of roads cut for fracking development. The once Big Mountain traditional society will vanish and this is one of the last few traditional native strongholds left in the U.S.
Right now, some elder resisters are wondering what happen to the national and global movements to defend mother earth and most of all, the lack of physical presence and support, out here?
Bessie Begay of Mesquito Springs, Oct. 20th: “Where are the herders, the supporters that used to come out? Our situation has not change. Maybe they are out here somewhere? We don’t hear about them…”
Other elders are either busy with hospital visits or resting and not venturing out, their sheep herds don’t go out to range, and as their firewood piles dwindle. WE don’t intend to make a speech, here, then leave you with, ‘This has to be stopped!’
Instead, we wish to provide you with a guide and inform you that the tools are available out here to do the stopping with. WE NEED YOUR PHYSICAL PRESENCE OUT HERE, ASAP! WE don’t ask for monies, just your good-spirited will to come out for a few days/weeks/months and immerse yourself into a cultural community under threat, and accept the daily challenges in supporting these native elders’ existence. And yes, we are not asking for monies because we wish to maintain that human sovereignty, and not seek lawyers or travels to far off cities to protest. However, do provide your own resources to stay and if you wish to share your labor-healing of love and foods, that is welcome.
Seasonal Non-Native Sheepherders Collective: “The freedoms and autonomy that the indigenous inhabitants of Big Mountain area deserve are encroach upon everyday. Standing aside is not an option. Stand with native caretakers of Black Mesa, today!”
Sheepherding is a difficult work, but if you enjoy hiking and are passionate about nature then, this can be another rewarding experience. Wood cutting and other manual help are always an ongoing tasks. Nothing is automated out here, but the lands hold much positive energy in its pristine state. Experience these native Dineh elders’ livelihood and the many generations past of endurance within this set ecology. Perhaps, view this involvement as your future depend on it, survival and a bit of spiritual understanding. I hope that you will leave this great territory with those knowledgeable tools of resistance, empowering yourself toward natural survival, and tools for a much greater degree of resiliency.
Also, this call especially goes out to native and Dineh youths. Actual occupation by us on our (Dineh-Hopi) ancestral homelands is key to making our sovereign, decolonized stand against these corporate industrial invasions. We have made endless speeches before the halls of the colonial empire, and should we continue the same paths for the next 20 years?
Lets do this together at the heart of Big Mountain, November 21st – 27th:
- Boycott “Genocide-Coverup” Week (aka Thanksgiving), and show up at the Blackgoat homestead, Thinrock Mesa,
- Herd sheep as family monitor your first day, and so that elders can rest or tend to important cultural activities,
- Provide your vehicle or chainsaw, if you wish, for the numerous support project activities,
- Join wood crews that will gather firewood and do a few needed road repair work,
- Attend the closing day assembly to feast and celebrate solidarity, Friday, November 27th.
Lastly, climate change is upon us so be prepare for sudden inclement weather, have good shovels, proper clothing/gear or even tire chains. Contact the following list of information to coordinate your arrivals and departures, or any further questions. Remember, this is a remote Direction Action.
We wish to thank you for your time, again. Ourselves and on behalf of the few traditional Dineh elder resisters, we hope to see you and hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Kat (Bahe)
More Info contact:
Danny Blackgoat: [email protected] or 928-587-2860
Owen: 434-607-7677
Nephew Jake: 937-479-4214
Black Mesa Indigenous Support: [email protected]
Brenda Norrell has been a news reporter in Indian country for 29 years, serving as a writer for Navajo Times and a stringer for AP and USA Today during the 18 years she lived on the Navajo Nation. After being a longtime staff reporter for Indian Country Today, she was censored and terminated. She then created Censored News, focused on Indigenous Peoples and human rights, now in its fifth year.
Source: http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/big-mountain-on-land-decolonized.html
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