Hopi war of words continues

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

KYKOTSMOVI — Hopi Vice Chairman Todd Honyaoma Sr. remains in his elected position, despite earlier reports that he had “stepped down” during a Feb. 12 meeting of the Hopi Tribal Council.

A news release from the Vice Chairman’s Office received late Friday stated that the Tribal Council halted former BIA Superintendent and Hopi Tribal Chairman Benjamin Nuvamsa’s “attempt to overthrow” Honyaoma.

Nuvamsa responded Monday, saying, “I am not trying to ‘overthrow’ the vice chairman; there is no doubt, except in his own mind, that he has resigned and is now trying to deny it.”

He said the reference to his experience as a former BIA Superintendent “is indicative of an argument that has no rational basis other than to attempt to discredit me solely on the basis of my former employment. Contrary to this type of reasoning, experience with the BIA does not automatically cast suspicion on someone or their credibility.”

Nuvamsa said a review of Honyaoma’s statements and actions in Tribal Council on Feb. 12 “can leave no doubt that he resigned.”

Though Honyaoma referred to an “attempted coup d’etat,” Nuvamsa said “the real ‘attempted coup d’etat’ occurred on February 11, 2008, when Mr. Honyaoma and his supporters passed a resolution stripping the Office of the Chairman of virtually every authority that had ever been delegated to it since the inception of the Tribal Council in 1936.”

That resolution and two others were rescinded the next day, Nuvamsa said. On March 3, by majority vote, Council authorized Honyaoma and his staff to continue employment until March 31, according to a memo from Tribal Secretary Mary Felter.

In an open letter to Council dated March 17, Honyaomastated, “Ben Nuvamsa does not possess the right to irrevocably remove a lawfully elected leader of the Hopi Tribe nor does he possess the power or right to ‘impinge’ his wishes on the Hopi Tribal Council or the Hopi People.”

Nuvamsa said he was removing no one, but “simply honoring the actions of the Tribal Council on March 3.”

Honyaoma said his election is not in question.

“What is a serious issue are the intentional and misleading actions and press releases issued to the media by Hopi Chairman Ben Nuvamsa and his staff.”

Nuvamsa agreed that the vice chairman’s election is not in question, but added, “Neither is the fact that he publicly resigned ... ”

In his letter to Council, Honyaoma said he did not resign and added that his statements made during the Feb. 12 meeting “were made in our Hopi language,” which can be misunderstood by those who do not know the Hopi language and its historical and traditional axioms.

“Ben Nuvamsa took my statements and misconstrued their intent, and following the conclusion of the council meeting claimed I had resigned.”

Nuvamsa said numerous fluent Hopi language speakers were consulted and all of them confirmed that there was no question that Honyaoma had publicly announced his formal “stepping down.”

Honyaoma said, “The truth of the matter is that I offered to resign on the condition that Ben Nuvamsa resigns as Chairman of the Hopi Tribe. My offer was contingent on Ben Nuvamsa’s joint resignation. The offer was made in order to regain ‘order and safety’ to an emotionally charged meeting.”
Nuvamsa agreed that Honyaoma did suggest he step down with him.

“He did not, however, make it a condition of his ‘stepping down.’ When I declined, he continued with his statements regarding ‘stepping down’ and removed himself from Tribal Council Chambers,” Nuvamsa said.

Honyaoma said he has given his position a great deal of thought. “With all that has transpired and with much prayer, along with discussing these issues with my family, clan relatives and uncles, staff, and constituents whom have asked to meet with me, I have come to the conclusion that any thoughts of resignation would be unfair to the Hopi people.

“I was elected to serve a four year term of office and it is my duty and obligation to honor my word and to fulfill my term. Furthermore, the Hopi Tribe faces extremely critical issues and we must go forward on important initiatives delegated to my office, which I am honored to attempt to accomplish during my term,” he said.

Tribal Council voted Monday, 10-5, to accept Honyaoma’s letter stating that he did not resign, ideally ending the matter.