Leaders mum on coal, water proposal
By Marley Shebala, Navajo Times 03.30.06
WINDOW ROCK – President Joe Shirley Jr. has refused to comment on a proposed
settlement of the tribe’s 1999 lawsuit against Peabody Western Coal Co. and
Southern California Edison for allegedly bamboozling Navajos out of about
$600 million in coal royalties.
On Tuesday the Navajo Times asked to interview Shirley about the proposal
which surfaced late last week. “That’s not going to happen,” responded George
Hardeen, Shirley’s spokesman. Read more
Edison Moves to Reopen Big Desert Power Plant
The utility was forced to shut down the Mohave generating station in
Nevada because of pollution issues.
By Marc Lifsher, Times Staff Writer
March 28, 2006
Southern California Edison Co. and two Indian tribes have taken a
tentative step toward reopening the giant Mohave power plant in Nevada
that was shut down due to pollution.
Before being taken off line in January, the coal-fired plant was a
major source of electricity for Southern California. Read more
Traditional Hopi on Global Instability
Traditional Hopi, Keeper of the Sacred Stone Tablets: “Sovereignty Dishonored and Global Instability Evolving”
Hotevilla Pueblo, Hopi Independent Nation (via Arizona, USA), March 25, 2006. One of the last original and traditional Hopi Kwimongwi wanted to speak to the world despite the lack of any media attention. Martin Gashweseoma walks into his neighbor’s stone house with a canvas bag which is full of papers as he takes his place next to two young Swedish ladies who were gathering material for a radio program. Read more
Time for a Just Transition to a better future on the Rez
By the Just Transition Coalition
For years, the Navajo and Hopi people made major sacrifices to enable the
Mojave Generating Station to operate. The people provided labor, coal, pristine
N-Aquifer water and bore the burden of pollution. Now that the facility has
closed, we have a right to ask the owners of Mojave to help us make the
transition to a better future, to repay the debt. Read more
Off the hook
Proposed settlement releases Peabody from penalty for damages to resources
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — A proposed settlement agreement to keep Peabody Western Coal
Co. operating on Black Mesa and return Mohave Generating Station to service
would give the feds control over the C-Aquifer project and dismiss all claims
against Peabody for injury to groundwater in the lease area.
A March 7 confidential draft document of recommended noneconomic terms
proposed in the Mohave mediation between the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Peabody,
and the owners of Mohave Generating Station and Navajo Generating Station
assumes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will operate the C-Aquifer Project,
subject to reimbursement of Mohave owners. Read more
A ‘colossal’ waste
Report: Peabody’s use of N-aquifer water threatens its existence
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau 03/23/06
WINDOW ROCK — While the Navajo Mediation Team works to keep Mohave
Generating Station open and Peabody Western Coal Co. slurrying coal to Nevada, the
Natural Resources Defense Council says the Navajo Aquifer is in decline and
industrial pumping already has done damage.
NRDC is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and
environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the
environment, with 1.2 million members nationwide. Read more
Elder Katherine Smith To The US Government
Big Mountain Elder Katherine Smith Sends A Letter To The US Government
To The United States Government:
My name is Katherine Smith, a citizen of the Navajo Nation and a resident of land known as the Hopi Partitioned Lands (HPL) since 1977–because of Public Law 93-531. According to our oral historical traditions, from the beginning of the Fifth World, the Holy People- placed us “the Dineh” with Natural Laws-here within the six sacred Mountains, between the Male and Female Rivers. This defines our sacred boundaries of “Dinetah”. Our sacred Mountain Bundles represent this Home, and our Laws. Read more
