Leaving the Dark Ages
Electricity brightens the lives of people in Bennett Freeze

Diné Bureau

FORT DEFIANCE — After more than 30 years, a seven-mile power line extension to 21 Bennett Freeze homes in the Moenave area is a reality. Navajo Tribal Utility Authority recently extended electrical service to the area south of the old Tuba City airport.

Under the Bennett Freeze order, families are prohibited from developing on existing homesteads and cannot make improvements to their homes unless the Hopi Tribe, the Navajo Nation and the federal government authorize such actions.

Hopi Chairman Wayne Taylor Jr. signed a right-of-way application on Jan. 6, 2004, approving construction of the power line extensions and accelerating the paperwork.

"There were times when it seemed like this project would never happen," said Bernice Tsosie, Right-of-Way agent for Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA).

Tsosie gave much of the credit to Clayton Honyumptewa, director of the Office of Hopi Land Administration, who worked closely with NTUA to process the required rights-of-way applications.

Tsosie said To'Nanees'Dizi Chapter Community Service Coordinator Priscilla Littlefoot and NTUA Customer Services representative Veronica Hardy-Becenti also were commended for their persistence in reactivating the project, which also included cooperation with Arizona Public Service Co.

About 15 Moenave-Bennett Freeze families participated in a small recognition ceremony just before NTUA crews turned on the electrical power to their homes Feb. 11.

"We no longer live in the dark," said Frank Bilagody, Tuba City Chapter president. "All these years there was one barrier after another, until today."

"I know that some of us are sad that some of our relatives, including our parents, never got to see the lights turn on. They started this a long time ago, planting the seeds to take on the challenge allowing us to raise our voices," Bilagody said.

"I'm thankful to all those leaders from both tribes who took the time to listen to us and help us to get this far. It was a difficult and hard journey," he said.

NTUA officials in Tuba City say there are at least 80 Bennett Freeze- Moenave area families who are requesting an electrical extension.

Rubianne Dugi, Customer Service supervisor at NTUA's Tuba City Sub-Office, said positive coordination between the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe expedited the process, making it easier for customers.

"Everyone knew what needed to be done and as a result, made this dream a reality for these families," Dugi said. "The gratitude is certainly heart-felt because you know that these families have been waiting a long, long time."