BLACK MESA SUPPORT UPDATES
Greetings Friends,
We thank everyone for your dedication in your continued support of
Black Mesa families in their struggle to remain on their ancestral
homelands. We have some great news, updates regarding human rights on
Black Mesa, and a couple event listings to share with you. The BMIS
web-site is now mainly an archived site but will be updated in times
of urgent situations or breaking news. The sheepherder program will
remain, as requested by the families on the land.
~Black Mesa Indigenous Support
VICTORY FOR THE SACRED SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS!!
Most of you may have already heard the terrific news by now and if
so, it feels good to state it again! Victory For the Peaks! See the
press release from the Save The Peaks Coalition & be sure to stay
posted: The 9th Circuit Court Rules to Protect Sacred Peaks -
Landmark Ruling Celebrated as a Victory for Religious Freedom,
Environmental Justice & Cultural Survival.
Save the Peaks Ruling News Release
LONG TIME SUPPORTERS HERDING SHEEP FOR ELDERS LIVING IN REMOTE PARTS OF BLACK MESA RECEIVE WARNINGS OF EXCLUSION, DETAINMENT, & PERMITS.
The recent warnings of exclusion & detainment of non-Indian supporters
staying as guests of elders and families living in remote areas
throughout Black Mesa draws concern from local and international support &
human rights organizations. Expelling support is also expelling
fundamental human rights, and violates the elders & families right to
decide who is allowed into their own homes. The permit process is
insulting and puts unfair burdens upon the families. It is one more thing
that they are told to do to under non traditional laws placed upon them.
Please stay posted and read our statement signed on by international human
rights organizations.
Statement of Concerns
FAMILIES PUT A CALL-OUT FOR SHEEPHERDERS & SUPPORT:
"We welcome people to come out and support our resistance in this
way."-A resister grandmother. Guests of the families are encouraged to
stay
for a month, as it can require a lot of work for both the family and the
guest to establish a routine. It is important to have good help out there,
and not create more work for the families. Guests are expected to be
adequately prepared prior to staying with families on Black Mesa,
which is high desert and very remote. Read the Cultural Sensitivity &
Preparedness Booklet and fill out the supporter application form
prior to making arrangements for your stay. Supporters are expected
to pay for gas and expenses when families provide their ride out to
the land.
Cultural Sensitivities
RELOCATION LEGISLATION S1003 DOES NOT MAKE IT TO RESOLUTION
Senate Bill 1003 (The Navajo Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974
Amendments) proposed by AZ Senator & Presidential hopeful John McCain
did not come to a resolution! If passed, this bill would have had dire
consequences for Dine' families who continue to live on their ancestral
homeland, for the families who have moved and for the land of Black Mesa.
While S1003 passed through the Senate, it never made it out of the
House Resources Committee to the House floor for a vote. The
congressional session ended with no action being taken.
Many thanks to all of the action taken in support of the Dineh and in
stopping this bill, and the relocation laws. Thousands of letters,
emails, and faxes were sent from throughout Indian Country and
general support network, as well as the video sent to Congress that a
Black Mesa resident and BMIS volunteer compiled of statements from
residents of the 'Hopi Partitoned Lands'.
NEXT STEPS FOR STOPPING PEABODY COAL'S BLACK MESA PROJECTS' MASSIVE COAL-MINING PLANS THAT CALLS FOR MORE RELOCATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, MORE WATER AQUIFER DEPLETION, GLOBAL WARMING, & DESTRUCTION OF SACRED ANCESTRAL HOME LANDS!!
1. OSM will review the comments and continue with the preparation of
the final Environmental Impact Statement.
2. OSM will issue a Final Environmental Impact Statement with a
"Record of Decision" on the project. No new studies will be made.
Office Of Surface Mining (OSM) states: "Environmental Impact
Statements are
based on available data and information. After conducting a preliminary
review of the comments received, we do not anticipate we will conduct
additional studies." OSM presently estimates that the timeline for the
decision on the final EIS will be out late June '07.
3. After the Record of Decision is made, there is a 45-day appeal
process. If the decision is made in favor of the Black Mesa Project, this
is when appeals can be made. Lawsuits could be filed to block the
decision.
What you can do:
1. Awareness is still needed! Please visit
Black Mesa Water Coalition for more info about BMP & Just
Transition.
FURTHER INFO REGARDING PEABODY'S BLACK MESA PROJECT AND MOHAVE GENERATING STATION:
On Feb. 6th, the Salt River Project (SRP), ended its efforts to return the
coal-fired Mojave Generating Station power plant to service with the
appropriate environmental emission controls due to the high cost, and an
aggressive campaign by indigenous and environmental networks. As a partial
owner, SRP failed to reach a purchase agreement with Southern California
Edison.
Even though it's a victory that Salt River Project has pulled out of
Peabody's Black Mesa Project and the station remains closed today,
their press release stated that "SRP believes Southern California
Edison intends to continue with its ongoing effort to identify
potential new buyers for Mohave," and in turn the coal from the Black
Mesa Mine. In addition, the Office of Surface Mining is still
continuing the Environmental Impact Study process on the Black Mesa
Project.
Venezuela: We denounce The Forced Relocation Of Indigenous Families From Their Traditional Lands At The Hands of the Venezuelan Government and the Multi-National Coal Corporations.
Paso Diablo
Mine is owned in part by Peabody Coal/Peabody Energy Corporation. By
Wayłu of the Perija Mountains
Venezuela Indigenous
DESERT ROCK RESISTANCE CONTINUES
Since December 12th, 2006, Tribal
Elders and Navajo protestors have maintained a blockade, and encampment
called Dooda Desert Rock to stop surveyors from coming onto their
land to start inspection for a new 1,500 mega-watt, 2.5 billion power
plant to be built by Sithe Global. This project would be the largest
economic development project ever undertaken by the tribe. However,
this land is considered sacred by many of the families who still live
there, and they have no intention of leaving their homes to make way for
the power plant. They believe that it will disrupt sacred burial grounds,
displace many families, and exacerbate public health problems with air
pollution. Completion of this plant would make it the third one of its
kind in this area of New Mexico.
For info visit their blog: Desert Rock Blog
EVENT LISTINGS:
MOTHERS DAY GATHERING AT WESTERN SHOSHONE PEACE CAMP & OF HONORING CORBIN HARNEY
Elder Corbin Harney is calling for the annual
Mothers Day gathering out at the W. Shoshone peace camp May
11-13. "This Gathering is to honor Corbin and all who have
participated over the decades at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site to end
the destruction of our Mother Earth. Corbin Harney has taught many to
respect and protect Mother Earth and traditional ways through ceremony and
non-violent direct action. We're calling everyone who loves Mother Earth
to join us.
Western Shoshone Defense Project. Contact P.O. Box 211308, Crescent Valley, NV. 89821. 775-468-0230. Western Shoshone Defense Project Many of
you have been to the gatherings at the Peace Camp over the years, and your
presence would be enjoyed.
Corbin has been struggling with his health this past year and your
prayers are appreciated.
RUN 4 SPRING PLANTING AT SAND SPRINGS & OTHER AREAS OF BLACK MESA
"For the second year in a row, Mark & Bear Dyken will be running the
Big Sur International Marathon together on April 29th....The course
is 26.2 miles of hills on California Highway 1, along the coast of
the Pacific Ocean.
This year, in the spirit of the sacred run we have decided to offer
our marathon run to support the spring planting in Sand Springs and
other areas of the Navajo Reservation in North East Arizona. By
dedicating the run to the planting we will work to raise awareness,
funds and support for our annual spring trip to sustain local
agriculture on the reservation. On other spring trips in the past we
have used funds for tractor repair, fencing costs, purchasing seeds,
and farming tools. The goal is to be able to purchase some of the
subsequent harvest to be distributed during our annual Thanksgiving
food and supply run. As always, we encourage supporters to join us on
the trip to the reservation, meet the families we are working with
and join in the work and fun.
....By dedicating the run to something larger we hope to draw
strength from the support of others who feel the same way about
issues of justice, land use and the treatment of indigenous people
around the world, while offering up the one thing we have control of
in this world-our bodies-to the cause." Clan Dyken
Black Mesa Indigenous Support
Special thanks to Sara for the lead.
Contents
April 2007 Reports
Last updated on April 16, 2007