Flag Residents Back Native Opposition to Artificial Snow

by S.J. Wilson 
The Navajo-Hopi Observer 
31 March 2005
   

FLAGSTAFF — At a protest held at City Hall the evening of March 18, non-natives present outnumbered Native Americans against artificial snowmaking at Arizona Snowbowl.

Internationally famous Navajo artist Shonto Begay made an appearance at the protest against snowmaking on San Francisco Peaks held March 18 at Flagstaff City Hall.

Allison Israel moved from Washington DC to Flagstaff 11 years ago. Her husband and son, Lance and Angelo, accompanied her to voice her concerns about the environmental impacts of the Snowbowl.

“We are here because we need to protect the next seven generations, and making snow is not the way to do it,” Israel said.

Kim Smith stood in the crowd, holding a book about Native American tribes.

“I brought this book along to illustrate that this is another chapter to our history of American Indians.”

Smith said that she had heard about a celebration being held at Arizona Snowbowl that same afternoon.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Smith said. “I’m glad that they planned it for this same day, because everyone will drive right by us here as they are leaving.”

Some skiers did come by—some yelled angrily, but others indicated their support.

S.J. Wilson/Observer

Lisa Kirkwood said she and her daughters Zia and Shannon Pynes support Native American beliefs regarding the San Francisco Peaks.

A young man in full ski regalia stood along Route 66 holding a sign protesting artificial snowmaking. Will Lee has been skiing for the last 16 years.

“This will be the last year buying a pass if they make snow,” Lee said. “I’ ll buy a pair of snow shoes and walk up somewhere if I have to. I won’t support the destruction of the peaks.”

Three sisters from Hardrock, Sherry, Karen and Lovelda Chase, held a sign together.

“We’re standing against the Snowbowl,” Sherry said.

Bess Bennett stood at the top of the grassy knoll overlooking the street holding a megaphone.

“We didn’t come here to stomp on them [the tribes].” Bennett said. “Our culture does not value money over the pleas of 13 tribes. Snowmaking is hurtful to them and to the plants and animals. I’d hate to look back and say, we could have stopped them but we did not. I don’t want a coulda’, woulda’, shoulda ’ situation—it’s just a mess up.”

S.J. Wilson/Observer

Will Lee, a veteran skier of 16 years, said that this would be his last year buying a pass if artificial snow is made at the Arizona Snowbowl.

Bennett said that she grew up in Long Island and has lived in Flagstaff for seven years.

Lisa Kirkwood has lived in Flagstaff “four years, going on five.” She said that she and her daughters Zia and Shannon came to brave the cold because they believed it was important to show their support for the 13 tribes who hold the San Francisco Peaks sacred.

The son of the late Navajo activist Roberta Blackgoat, Danny Blackgoat said that he is carrying on the road his mother took and called artificial snowmaking a totally insane concept.

“The Holy People and the Katsina make snow. Man cannot make snow,” Blackgoat said. “We [Native Americans] come from humble origins. Water Woman gives us moisture. The dominant society is hell-bent on grabbing the last dollar—and that is now happening to our young people. They are beginning to behave like white people. They don’t adhere to our ideology.”

Blackgoat described issues like artificial snowmaking as “cultural genocide at its greatest height.”

Reacting to reports that pharmaceuticals found in reclaimed water have caused the feminization of frog tadpoles, Blackgoat said that he personally didn’t want to become feminized. He pointed out that not only will Flagstaff residents face such a danger, but also people in the Verde Valley, Prescott and elsewhere.

“We need to change the concept of the dominant society, to become more respectful of the natural ways,” Blackgoat said.  

      

    


Reprinted as an historical reference document under the Fair Use doctrine of international copyright law. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html