Navajo
president: Using reclaimed water on sacred peaks is the same as genocide
by
Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau
FORT DEFIANCE — Using reclaimed wastewater on
the San Francisco Peaks' Snowbowl amounts to desecration of a sacred
Holy site of the Navajos, said
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. By allowing this desecration "the
United States of America will commit genocide."
Somewhere between bond issues and the Bush budget, the president found
time to deliver this comment and othersin writing on behalf of the Nation
to Coconino
National Forest asking for an extension of the public comment period and meaningful
consultation on the proposed Arizona Snowbowl Facilities Improvement plan.
The president's comments were faxed to the forest service from the president's
Budget Advisory Council meetings in Herndon, Va., and arrived safely just hours
before the comment period ended at midnight Tuesday, according to Deana Jackson,
senior public information officer. A story in Wednesday's Independent incorrectly
stated that the president's comments were a day late.
"There has been some confusion about the deadline,"J ackson said Wednesday. "But
we clarified that the deadline was yesterday and we got it in actually about
6 o'clock yesterday evening."
President Shirley based his request for an extension of the comment period on
an executive order of President Bill Clinton in 2000 that recognized the unique
legal relationship between American Indian tribes and the United States of America.
That executive order provides for meaningful consultation and coordination between
tribal and federal governments.
Because the president just received a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) and because four agencies of the Navajo Nation out of five also
would like to see a copy, President Shirley requested a 60-day extension and
a meeting with forest officials.
The president gained immediate support from the Save the Peaks Coalition.
"Due to the Forest Service's lack of tribal consultation, we believe they
have not done an adequate job, as only a few have information on the EIS," said
Robert Tohe, coordinator of Save the Peaks. "We agree with President Shirley
in requesting an extension and commend his office in continuing to stand for
his people."
Save the Peaks has several concerns with the DEIS on the purpose and need for
the proposed action. The coalition said the purpose is described as necessary "to
ensure a consistent and reliable operating season, thereby maintaining the economic
viability of the Snowbowl and stabilizing employment levels and winter tourism
within the local community."
However, Save the Peaks points out, under the Social and Economic Resources section
(page 3-71), the DEIS states numerous times that the Snowbowl's contribution
to the Flagstaff and Coconino County economies is insignificant.
For example, the group says, on page 3-113"... even a cursory examination
of the scope of the ski area operation in comparison with the full scope of the
Flagstaff area economy makes it clear that the ski area is of insufficient size
to be a dominant driver of trends in tourism or the broader economy." The
DEIS further states that although the Snowbowl does not "drive" the
Flagstaff area economy, the ski area does provide jobs, and ski area visitors
are positive contributors to that economy.
Native American shoppers and businesses account for a significant portion of
the town's economy and there has been talk among some of the tribes to forego
shopping sprees in Flagstaff.
Under the preferred alternative selected by the forest service in the DEIS, reclaimed
wastewater would be used to make artificial snow at the ski resort.
President Shirley said, "The San Francisco Peaks is the essence of who we
are ... and is the Holy house of our sacred deities whom we pray to and give
our offerings. It also is where sacred herbs for healing are gathered."
The National Congress of American Indians in a resolution adopted at the 2002
annual session in San Diego, Calif., resolved to assist the southwest tribal
nations "to stop the expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl at the sacred San
Francisco Peaks which are now considered eligible for listing under the National
Register of Historic Places."
The Native American Church of Navajoland (NACNL) in March unanimously passed
a resolution (142-0-0) strongly opposing the Snowbowl project. Members said that
while freedom of religion for all people is an inherent right guaranteed by the
First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the Native American Church
of Navajoland has experienced religious persecution in its use of the sacrament
peyote through unfavorable court decisions and suppressive enforcement of tribal,
state, and federal laws. Passage of Public Law 103-344, the American Indian Religious
Freedom Act of 1994, provides protection for the free exercise of traditional
Native American religion and practices, the church says.
"One of our four sacred mountains, Dook'oos'liid, 'Shining Clouds on Top'
is being considered for expansion of recreational facilities and artificial snowmaking
for the enjoyment of a few (skiers) at the religious and cultural expense of
13 Native American area tribes.
"The proposal of artificial snowmaking with reclaimed waste water is an
affront to Native American religion, culture, identity, and value system as well
as the seasonal cycles of nature. ... Dook'oos'liid should be conserved and preserved
in a natural state with normal seasonal cycles to ensure harmony and respect.
"Furthermore, the conservation and preservation of the sacred Dook'oos'liid
should be a reaffirmation that traditional Native American religion can be respected
as an integral part of our beliefs, culture, traditions and heritage," church
members said. |
Thursday
April 15, 2004
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Navajo president: Using reclaimed
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