From BIGMTLIST

In my phone conversation with Louise Benally today, I learned that a permit
application for holding the sundance at Camp Anna Mae on HPL has been turned
down. The claim of the Hopi Tribe is that it was agreed that last year's
dance would be the last one on HPL (see documents below). However, that
statement contradicts the original agreement made with Ferrell Secakuku
in 1996, which was to the effect that the sundance committment was for
four years. Ruth Benally was forced to sign the different agreement last
year, in spite of the earlier agreement that would have allowed for the
sundance to be held this year, or she would not have been given the permit.
The sundance has been held annually since July 8, 1986, in protest of the
US Law that made trepassers out of the Dineh families living on their own
ancestral land. The Hopi Tribe is also demanding that the sacred Sundance
arbor be taken down, or they will tare it down.

The sundance is a very sacred ceremony, and although not part of the Dineh
religious tradition, it has been done by Lakota sundancers at Camp Anna
Mae as support and unity with the Dineh. A sundance committment is very
binding and sacred to the individual dancer. It is a committment made by
the dancer with Spirit, and can NOT be broken without serious spiritual
consequences. Not allowing the sundance could have grave consequences
for the individual dancers, whose only sundance opportunity may be to dance
at Camp Anna Mae this month in a few days.

In my opinion, although the Dineh are trying their best to appease the
Hopi Tribe in regards to sundance permits, livestock permits, permits,
permits and more permits, the whole permitting process is basically an
instrument of harassment used by the Hopi Tribe against the Dineh who reside
on HPL. The Hopi tribe's legal justification is that the US Government
has given them title to that land. It neglects to consider the illegal
and corrupt processes that went into the making of the law that gave them
that ownership. This ownership is enforced by the BIA/Hopi enforcement
"army" against the peaceful Dineh, who just want to herd sheep and raise
corn and pray and live as they have for generations upon their sacred
land.

Supporters are asked to protest this further human rights infringement
by writing, emailing, faxing, or phoning the Hopi Tribe. The letters from
the Hopi Tribe are reproduced (from a FAX) at the bottom.

=================================================

THE HOPI TRIBE

Wayne Taylor, Jr.
CHAIRMAN

Phillip R. Quochytewa, Sr. VICE-CHAIRMAN

June 4, 1999

Ruth Benally
P.O. Box 1042
Hotevilla, AZ 86030

Dear Mrs. Benally:

This letter is to inform you that your request to hold a Sundance on the
Hopi Reservation was considered but was denied by the Hopi Land Team on
May 27, 1999. This decision is based on the conditions that were placed
on the approval given last year, which you had agreed to. The condition
was that the Sundance held last year would bc the last Sundance to be held
on the Hopi Reservation and any future Sundances would be held off the
Hopi Reservation.

You also agreed to remove all structures within two days after the conclusion
of the Sundance, which you failed to do (See attached letters, request
form and Field Trip Report #1792). These structures still remain standing
as of this date.

Other conditions which remain to be a critical concern to the Hopi Tribe
is the danger of fire and further damage to the area. We appreciate your
understanding in this matter and respectfully request that you abide by
this decision.

Wayne Taylor, Jr., Chairman The Hopi Tribe

Attachments

Xc: Land Team
Tim Atkcson, A & P
Hopi Resource Enforcement
Arnold Taylor, DNR
Clayton Honyumptewa, OHL
Betty Tso, DDAY
Roman Bitsue, NHLCO
Scott Canty
Kelsey Begay, President, Navajo Nation
John McCain, Senator

P.O. BOX 123 – KYKOTSMOVl, AZ. – 86039 – (520) 734-3000
==========================================

 

THE
HOPI TRIBE
Wayne Taylor, Jr.
CHAIRMAN

Phillip R. Quochytewa, Sr. VICE-CHAIRMAN
July 7, 1998

Ruth Benally
P.O. Box 64
Kykotsmovi. AZ 86039

Dear Mrs. Benally:

Your request to hold a Sundance on the Hopi reservation on July 15-19,
1998 is approved with the understanding and condition that this be the
last Sundance held on the Hopi reservation. After this year, if you are
to hold another Sundance, it will have to be held off the Hopi reservation.

Also, due to conditions of the land and the large number of people anticipated
to attend, the Hopi Tribe is very concerned about the fire danger on the
range lands . Enclosed is an Executive Order signed by myself and Vice
Chairman Phillip Quochytewa, on the Extreme Fire Danger, which places restrictions
within the exterior boundaries of the Hopi Reservation.

I also wish to alert you about the Hantavirus that is a major health concern
at this time. You should inform the people in attendance about this danger.
I am also enclosing the Executive Order signed by myself and Vice Chairman
Phillip Quochytewa which places the entire Hopi Reservation under a Hantavirvs
Alert and some information on this disease

Accordingly I am placing the following additional conditions on this approval:

1) There shall be no open fires permitted unless and until a control plan
is submitted by your group and approved by this Office.

2) You must agree to assume full liability for any damages to persons or
property resulting from the sundance, including any damages caused by fires.

3) You are informed, and must agree to inform all persons attending your
event that possession of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited on the
Hopi Reservation.

4) You must agree to restore the site of the event to its original conditions
within a reasonable time or agree to reimburse any and all costs incurred
by the Hopi Tribe to do so.
P.O. BOX 123 – KYKOTSMOVI. AZ. – 86039 – (520) 734 3000 - Fax (520) 734
2259

As the staff of the Office of Hopi Lands has informed you, we will have
the Hopi Rangers patrolling the area, as well as the monitors, this is
mainly for the safety of people attending your ceremony. I hope you can
appreciate our concern for the land and will do everything you can to minimize
any damage to the area.
Sincerely,
Wayne Taylor, Jr., THE HOPI TRIBE Chairman

XC: Franklin Hoover, Office of General Counsel
Land Team
Keith Secakuku, Hopi Range Enforcement Services
Leigh Kuwanwisima, Cultural Preservations Office
Clayton Honyumptewa, Office of Hopi Lands
File

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS LETTER. I AGREE
TO THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH.

 

Ruth Benally 7/10/98