by Brenda Norrell
Indian
Country Today
26 January 2005
FLAGSTAFF,
Ariz. - American Indians and local residents protested a plan to
make snow from wastewater at a ski resort near the Grand Canyon.
Skiers and snowboarders were told that San Francisco Peaks are
sacred to 13 area Indian tribes and among the Navajos' four sacred
mountains.
Among
those protesting with signs at the base of the mountain were
members of the Navajo punk rock band Blackfire. The Benally
family, members of the Save the Peaks Coalition, sang traditional
Navajo songs to honor the mountain, which has been assaulted by
various industries.
Jeneda
Benally said, ''We are here to let people know what the ski area
is trying to do to this sacred mountain. We want to bring in the
new year with respect!
''We are
not here to tell people what they can or can't do, we want people
to know that there are respectful uses of the mountain. Snowmaking
with 180 million gallons of contaminated wastewater, and clear
cutting 74 acres, is certainly not one of them.''
The
degradation of the sacred mountain includes areas where medicine
people collect healing herbs and conduct ceremonies, with prayers
for the well being of the world.
Earlier,
in his comments to the Coconino Forest Service, Navajo President
Joe Shirley Jr. said, ''The San Francisco Peaks is the essence of
who we are.
''The
United States of America will commit genocide by allowing the
desecration of the essence of our way of life.''
After the
City of Flagstaff announced the plan to use wastewater to make
snow at the Arizona Snowbowl last year on the sacred mountain,
Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai and other medicine men came together in to
protest the plan at City Hall.
The Save
the Peaks Coalition was formed in February 2004 and attracted
support from members of the local business community. Pointing out
that disrespect for Native culture is counter productive to the
city's goal of attracting tourists, business owners told the city
to honor Native traditions. The coalition's goal is to address
human rights and environmental justice concerns.
''The
Hopi people believe the Katsinas live on the mountain,'' Hopi Vice
Chairman Caleb Johnson said during the press conference at
Flagstaff City Hall. ''Holy means it is set apart. It is like the
sanctuary of a church, you would not want to desecrate a sacred
place. This is a holy place and it should remain holy.''
San
Francisco Peaks is a dwelling place of the Gaan, mountain spirit
people of the Yavapai Apache, and a place of prayer and offerings.
The
planned expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl calls for the clear
cutting of 74 acres of pine forests for the new runs, ski lifts
and a snow play area. Along with the destruction to the
environment, the planned new lodges exploit American Indian
culture for profit with a new American Indian cultural center.
''This
development will be a severe desecration if it is to be allowed,''
said Wahleah Johns from the Black Mesa Water Coalition at the
protest on Jan. 2.
''This
mountain is sacred to 13 tribes, how can it be ignored? They want
to build a cultural center to say it's OK, but you cannot
desecrate a site to teach people how sacred it is, it's a horrible
contradiction.
''If they
put this sewer water on the mountain, what's going to happen to
the animals, the medicinal plants and kids who play up there?''
The City
of Flagstaff plans to sell water made with reclaimed wastewater to
the Snowbowl, which would require a 14-mile pipeline and a 10
million gallon wastewater storage pond.
Earlier,
tribal members pressed for the comments of traditional elders in
remote areas to be included in the environmental impact statement.
The Snowbowl is part of the Coconino National Forest and is
required to undergo a process that analyzes potential
environmental impacts before development is initiated. After the
final EIS is completed, the Coconino Forest Supervisor will make a
decision if the development proceeds.
Klee
Benally said tribal officials, medicine people and concerned
citizens said that the Snowbowl, Forest Service and City of
Flagstaff are disregarding American Indian religious beliefs,
public health issues with contaminated wastewater and
environmental concerns.
He said
the Flagstaff City Water Department claims that the wastewater is
clean enough to drink, but recent scientific findings show
pharmaceuticals and hormones in the wastewater.
''The
effects of endocrine disruptors on local plants and animals have
not yet been determined and are still being studied,'' Klee
Benally said.
Last
February, Cora Maxx, aide to Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. said
at City Hall that she felt the issue was serious enough that a
boycott of Flagstaff might be in order.
Coconino
Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure is expected to issue her decision on
the Snowbowl expansion in late January or early February.
Meanwhile,
there is new feature documentary, ''The Snowbowl Effect'',
currently being screened across Arizona, including a show at the
Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock. For more information, visit www.savethepeaks.org.
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