Navajo, Hopi Leaders Accuse Environmental Groups
Of Hindering Economic Development

by Tammy Gray-Searles
Arizona Journal
14 October 2009
   

More controversy broke out last week over coal mining and development of the Desert Rock Energy Project on the Navajo Nation as President Joe Shirley Jr. criticized environmental groups, and the Black Mesa Water Coalition responded to his remarks.

“I stand with the Hopi Nation. Unlike ever before, environmental activists and organizations are among the greatest threat to tribal sovereignty, tribal self-determination and our quest for independence,” Shirley said on Sept. 30. “By their actions, environmentalists would have tribes remain dependent on the federal government, and that is not our choice. I want the leaders of all Native American nations to know this is our position, and I would ask for their support of solidarity with the Hopi Nation in the protection of their sovereignty and self-determination, as well as ours.”

According to Shirley, the Hopi Tribal Council recently approved a resolution that stated “environmentalists have worked to deprive the tribe of markets for its coal resources and the revenue it brings to sustain governmental services, provide jobs for Hopis and secure the survival of Hopi culture and tradition.”

The Hopi council identified four specific groups, as well as any group associated with them, that are “no longer welcome” on Hopi land. Those groups include the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Parks Conservation Association and the Grand Canyon Trust.

Included in the resolution is an accusation that the environmental groups have purposely spread “misinformation concerning the water and energy resources of the Hopi Tribe in an effort to instill unfounded fears into the hearts and minds of the Hopi public.”

Shirley stood alongside the Hopi Tribe, noting that he supports the goals of some environmental organizations and has worked closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect Navajo lands, but he believes that certain environmental groups are working to undermine financial independence of the Navajo Nation.

“Environmentalists are good at identifying problems but poor at identifying feasible solutions,” Shirley said. “Most often they don’t try to work with us but against us, giving aid and comfort to those opposed to the sovereign decision-making of tribes. They support tribes only when tribes are aligned with their agenda, such as our opposition to renewed uranium mining in the Grand Canyon and on Native land.”

Shirley went on to accuse environmentalists of causing the closure of a sawmill at Navajo, N.M., resulting in the loss of 600 jobs, and preventing the development of the Desert Rock Energy Project, which could bring up to 400 jobs.

The Black Mesa Water Coalition, which identifies itself as an “indigenous non-governmental organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting mother earth and the integrity of indigenous peoples’ cultures,” fired back, accusing Shirley of being out of touch with his people.

“We are troubled by the recent statements of the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley,” said Black Mesa Water Coalition Co-director Enei Begaye. “They demonstrate a disregard for the real concerns of Navajo and Hopi people about coal development which is harmful to the land, water and all forms of life.”

Begaye went on to note, “We regret the loss of jobs for our people from the closure of the Black Mesa coal mine. However, more than money has been lost in the past four decades from mining operations in our backyards. Our communities our grandparents, our children and grandchildren have sacrificed our sole source of drinking water the air we breathe and a chance to put food on the table for our families without having to tear apart our sacred relationship with the earth.”

According to the Black Mesa Water Coalition, more than 10,000 Navajos were “forcibly removed” from their homes in 1974 for the Black Mesa coal mining operation, and 4,700 acre feet of water was used for the operation annually for 30 years, resulting in loss of drinking water for Navajo and Hopi families.

“Today these issues go unresolved,” said Co-director Wahleah Johns, “and yet big energy companies like Peabody Coal Company, Sithe Global and Salt River Project get away with exploiting our lands and resources for their billion dollar profit. And when these companies leave our lands, our communities are left to deal with the irreversible damage of mining.”

The Black Mesa Water Coalition has called for a sit-down discussion with leaders of the environmental groups called out by the Hopi Tribe.

“We eagerly await the call from Carl Pope, Sierra Club’s executive director, to sit down and talk,” said Begaye.

  

    


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