[Marxism] The Battle Continues to Preserve Peaks [Flagstaff]

["Hunter Gray" <hunterbadbear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

NOTE BY HUNTER BEAR:

I grew up right under these San Francisco Peaks.  Flagstaff, btw, is 7000
feet above sea level and Humphreys Peak -- highest of the Peaks -- is about
13,000.  From the top of it, one can see into five states and Mexico.  H


Tribes protest waste water snow on sacred mountain
      © Indian Country Today January 26, 2005. All Rights Reserved
      Posted: January 26, 2005
      by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today
           Click to Enlarge

           Photos courtesy Klee Benally -- Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai and other
medicine men came together to complain after the City of Flagstaff, Ariz.
announced the plan to use wastewater to make snow at a ski resort on a
sacred mountain. Among those protesting with signs at the base of the
mountain were members of the Navajo punk rock band Blackfire. Navajo
President Joe Shirley Jr. said, 'The San Francisco Peaks is the essence of
who we are.'
      FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - American Indians and local residents protested a
plan to make snow from wastewater at a ski resort near the Grand Canyon.
Skiers and snowboarders were told that San Francisco Peaks are sacred to 13
area Indian tribes and among the Navajos' four sacred mountains.

      Among those protesting with signs at the base of the mountain were
members of the Navajo punk rock band Blackfire. The Benally family, members
of the Save the Peaks Coalition, sang traditional Navajo songs to honor the
mountain, which has been assaulted by various industries.

      Jeneda Benally said, ''We are here to let people know what the ski
area is trying to do to this sacred mountain. We want to bring in the new
year with respect!

      ''We are not here to tell people what they can or can't do, we want
people to know that there are respectful uses of the mountain. Snowmaking
with 180 million gallons of contaminated wastewater, and clear cutting 74
acres, is certainly not one of them.''

      The degradation of the sacred mountain includes areas where medicine
people collect healing herbs and conduct ceremonies, with prayers for the
well being of the world.

      Earlier, in his comments to the Coconino Forest Service, Navajo
President Joe Shirley Jr. said, ''The San Francisco Peaks is the essence of
who we are.

      ''The United States of America will commit genocide by allowing the
desecration of the essence of our way of life.''

      After the City of Flagstaff announced the plan to use wastewater to
make snow at the Arizona Snowbowl last year on the sacred mountain, Navajo,
Hopi, Havasupai and other medicine men came together in to protest the plan
at City Hall.

      The Save the Peaks Coalition was formed in February 2004 and attracted
support from members of the local business community. Pointing out that
disrespect for Native culture is counter productive to the city's goal of
attracting tourists, business owners told the city to honor Native
traditions. The coalition's goal is to address human rights and
environmental justice concerns.

      ''The Hopi people believe the Katsinas live on the mountain,'' Hopi
Vice Chairman Caleb Johnson said during the press conference at Flagstaff
City Hall. ''Holy means it is set apart. It is like the sanctuary of a
church, you would not want to desecrate a sacred place. This is a holy place
and it should remain holy.''

      San Francisco Peaks is a dwelling place of the Gaan, mountain spirit
people of the Yavapai Apache, and a place of prayer and offerings.

      The planned expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl calls for the clear
cutting of 74 acres of pine forests for the new runs, ski lifts and a snow
play area. Along with the destruction to the environment, the planned new
lodges exploit American Indian culture for profit with a new American Indian
cultural center.

      ''This development will be a severe desecration if it is to be
allowed,'' said Wahleah Johns from the Black Mesa Water Coalition at the
protest on Jan. 2.

      ''This mountain is sacred to 13 tribes, how can it be ignored? They
want to build a cultural center to say it's OK, but you cannot desecrate a
site to teach people how sacred it is, it's a horrible contradiction.

      ''If they put this sewer water on the mountain, what's going to happen
to the animals, the medicinal plants and kids who play up there?''

      The City of Flagstaff plans to sell water made with reclaimed
wastewater to the Snowbowl, which would require a 14-mile pipeline and a 10
million gallon wastewater storage pond.

      Earlier, tribal members pressed for the comments of traditional elders
in remote areas to be included in the environmental impact statement. The
Snowbowl is part of the Coconino National Forest and is required to undergo
a process that analyzes potential environmental impacts before development
is initiated. After the final EIS is completed, the Coconino Forest
Supervisor will make a decision if the development proceeds.

      Klee Benally said tribal officials, medicine people and concerned
citizens said that the Snowbowl, Forest Service and City of Flagstaff are
disregarding American Indian religious beliefs, public health issues with
contaminated wastewater and environmental concerns.

      He said the Flagstaff City Water Department claims that the wastewater
is clean enough to drink, but recent scientific findings show
pharmaceuticals and hormones in the wastewater.

      ''The effects of endocrine disruptors on local plants and animals have
not yet been determined and are still being studied,'' Klee Benally said.

      Last February, Cora Maxx, aide to Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr.
said at City Hall that she felt the issue was serious enough that a boycott
of Flagstaff might be in order.

      Coconino Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure is expected to issue her
decision on the Snowbowl expansion in late January or early February.

      Meanwhile, there is new feature documentary, ''The Snowbowl Effect'',
currently being screened across Arizona, including a show at the Navajo
Nation Museum in Window Rock. For more information, visit
www.savethepeaks.org.




HUNTER GRAY  [HUNTER BEAR]   Micmac /St. Francis Abenaki/St. Regis Mohawk
www.hunterbear.org
Protected by Na´shdo´i´ba´i´
and Ohkwari'

In our Gray Hole, the ghosts often dance in the junipers and sage, on the
game trails, in the tributary canyons with the thick red maples, and on the
high windy ridges -- and they dance from within the very essence of our own
inner being. They do this especially when the bright night moon shines down
on the clean white snow that covers the valley and its surroundings.  Then
it is as bright as day -- but in an always soft and mysterious and
remembering way. [Hunter Bear]

















_______________________________________________
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism