An Article on Senate Bill 1003, the Relocation Legislation
By Bahe Y. Katenay of Big Mountain
The federal relocation commission sets forth its “official” number of 130 Dineh to
be relocated before 2008, but this figure is incorrect according to Dineh
residents of Big Mountain. More numbers of extended family members still claim Big
Mountain area as their homeland, and hundreds more have been displaced without any
compensation from this federal relocation agency. The “unofficial” numbers used by
resisters from Big Mountain, Black Mesa and Star Mountain is over 300 individuals
currently resisting. However, the colonialist, occupier’s relocation commission
decides who is a resident, and the “inferior” Indian still does not know who s/he
is. Read more
Dineh Resistance For Global Survival!
Be Conquered Or Never, Dineh Resistance In Order For Global Survival!
By Bahe (Kat) Katenay, Big Mountain Dine’h
Month of the Big Wind (December), 2006
26 years ago while the wars were going in El Salvador and Guatamala about 25
walkers begin a short but long walk to protest a new coal mine at Burnham, New
Mexico. The walk started near the Chaco Canyon area on a quiet dirt road that ran
north towards Farmington and Shiprock. The walkers were mainly indigenous people
but mostly Dineh, and the walk took about three days for it to arrive at the
Burnham coal mine site. 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
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
Struggles Continue
Struggles Continue Despite Black Mesa Mine Shut Down
By Bahe Y. Katenay
Yes! Finally, we can all breathe a little easier the cleaner air, but it’s only temporary. The environmentalist and local Indigenous activists’ point of view may not see the whole picture. No, not in terms of keeping the Black Mesa Mine operating and letting it suck-out all the ancient pristine aquifer. But in terms of the human and economic cost that the local indigenous mine workers and their families are going to face. Read more
Big Mountain Resistance 2005
Report & Update: The Big Mountain Resistance Summer 2005
Summary of excepts & translation compiled by Bahe Katenay of Big Mountain
The “Forum on Black Mesa: Corporate Globalization & Indigenous Cultural Survival” was held on July 10, 2005 in Flagstaff, Arizona. This meeting was sponsored by the Black Mesa Indigenous Support (BMIS) volunteers. The conference’s purpose was to initiate a dialogue among volunteer supporters, local and regional indigenous environmental organizers, and representatives from the on-land resistance movements of Black Mesa and Big Mountain. The attendance at the forum was nearly 60 with at least 15 representatives from the relocation resistance and/or traditional Dineh communities. Read more
Statement from a Dineh man from The Mountain
07/22/05
To the supporters around the world:
The relocation of the Dineh Nation (Navajo) of Big Mountain, Black Mesa is still happening to this day. Sen. John McCain has introduced a bill (S.1003) that is to complete the forced removal of the Dineh of the Hopi Partitioned Land (HPL). The HPL was given to the Hopi Nation under the Relocation Act of 1974. In that act there is no fairness or equality, and what the Navajo Nation has been given is broken promises instead of new schools, hospitals and other public services. It is just like the past of broken treaties. The people who have relocated gave up their beautiful way of life, that beautiful land, in exchange for these broken promises. Read more
KEE WATCHMAN 1945 – 2005
Tuba City, Arizona, 29 June, 2005
Co-workers, Associates, Family and Friends;
I am very sad to tell you that today, at University Hospital in Tucson
Arizona, one of the great and gentle warriors of our time, Cactus
Valley/Red Willow Springs spokesperson and Dineh Nation traditional Kee Watchman,
passed out of this world to begin his journey to the home of his
ancestors. He had suffered from cancer for some months and had gone through
several ups and downs, but he always maintained his courage and sprit until the end.
Several members of his family and close friends were at his side as he
left his life in this world today. Read more
