Post by blackcrowheart on Nov 25, 2006 10:55:39 GMT -5
Navajos, Hopis sign pact to develop 700,000 acres End 40-year dispute
over tract both tribes claimed as their own By Chris Kahn Tucson,
Arizona | Published: 11.05.2006
www.azstarnet.com/sn/news/154504.php
<http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/news/154504.php>
<http://gcirm.tucson.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/news.azstarnet.com/s\
tories/local/1882263451/300x250_1/OasDefault/CommChange_Buzzmaker2/ccc-b\
log-ad5.gif/35333932303039323435346465323830> PHOENIX — After a
bitter 40-year dispute, leaders of the Navajo and Hopi tribes sat
together Friday and signed an agreement that allowed development on
700,000 acres of land that both claim as their own. "The Hopis and
Navajos have not always seen eye to eye," Hopi Vice Chairman Todd
Honyaoma said at the signing ceremony. "But we are neighbors, and
neighbors need to be friends." The two tribes, which abut each other in
Arizona's northeastern corner, have fought over land most of the last
century. In 1966, the federal government imposed a ban on any
development on the so-called Bennett Freeze Area as the tribes worked
out their differences. As a result, thousands of Navajos were without
running water, electricity or modern appliances for decades. "Every day
we wait, our people suffer," said Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley
Jr. "I'd like to see hospitals, schools, paved roads. It's about time."
A crowd of more than 100 Hopis and Navajos crowded the Heard Museum as
tribal leaders and Interior Secretary dick Kempthorne signed the land
agreement. In a corner of the room, 93-year-old Lena Goldtooth-Canyon
sat in a wheelchair, wearing a red print dress and turquoise, clapped
with her family. She'd driven down from Tuba City to see the historic
ceremony. "For too long we've lived in poverty," Goldtooth-Canyon said
in her native Navajo. Goldtooth-Canyon, who spoke through an
interpreter, said she'd like to see more economic development in the
area "so we can have electricity." Like many in the disputed area,
Goldtooth-Canyon wasn't able to fix her hogan. She was once cited for
throwing dirt on the roof after a monsoon storm. U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi,
R-Ariz., and Clayton Hon-yumptewa, director of the Hopis' land office,
said the settlement calls for an arbitration board to be set up to
resolve disputes, a $50 million escrow account to be divided by the two
tribes, creation of designated buffers where no Navajo development would
be permitted and a five-year study of eagles in the area. Eagles are an
especially sensitive matter for Hopi religious leaders and their highly
secretive ceremonial societies. They gather the birds for ceremonies
over a wide swath, primarily between Flagstaff and the tribe's three
mesas. Honyumptewa said the arbitration board will deal with problems
that arise if Hopis are denied access to their religious sites. It will
be made up of equal numbers of members from the two tribes and will be
overseen by an arbitrator with no affiliation with either tribe. The
Navajos reside on the nation's largest reservation, the majority of
which is in Northeastern Arizona. It surrounds Hopi land. "This land is
just as spiritual to us as the mesa tops where we live," said former
Hopi Chairman Ferrell Secakuku. "It's a milestone to negotiate this to
an end in a peaceful manner. We both have to co-exist here, and this
shows that one tribe can't dominate anymore." The Hopi Tribal Council
had approved the settlement measure in September 2004, but it took the
Navajo Nation Council two years to finally sign off on it because of
intense opposition in the western part of the Navajo Reservation over
questions about development. The Navajo Nation Council voted 75-3 to
approve the agreement in September.
over tract both tribes claimed as their own By Chris Kahn Tucson,
Arizona | Published: 11.05.2006
www.azstarnet.com/sn/news/154504.php
<http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/news/154504.php>
<http://gcirm.tucson.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/news.azstarnet.com/s\
tories/local/1882263451/300x250_1/OasDefault/CommChange_Buzzmaker2/ccc-b\
log-ad5.gif/35333932303039323435346465323830> PHOENIX — After a
bitter 40-year dispute, leaders of the Navajo and Hopi tribes sat
together Friday and signed an agreement that allowed development on
700,000 acres of land that both claim as their own. "The Hopis and
Navajos have not always seen eye to eye," Hopi Vice Chairman Todd
Honyaoma said at the signing ceremony. "But we are neighbors, and
neighbors need to be friends." The two tribes, which abut each other in
Arizona's northeastern corner, have fought over land most of the last
century. In 1966, the federal government imposed a ban on any
development on the so-called Bennett Freeze Area as the tribes worked
out their differences. As a result, thousands of Navajos were without
running water, electricity or modern appliances for decades. "Every day
we wait, our people suffer," said Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley
Jr. "I'd like to see hospitals, schools, paved roads. It's about time."
A crowd of more than 100 Hopis and Navajos crowded the Heard Museum as
tribal leaders and Interior Secretary dick Kempthorne signed the land
agreement. In a corner of the room, 93-year-old Lena Goldtooth-Canyon
sat in a wheelchair, wearing a red print dress and turquoise, clapped
with her family. She'd driven down from Tuba City to see the historic
ceremony. "For too long we've lived in poverty," Goldtooth-Canyon said
in her native Navajo. Goldtooth-Canyon, who spoke through an
interpreter, said she'd like to see more economic development in the
area "so we can have electricity." Like many in the disputed area,
Goldtooth-Canyon wasn't able to fix her hogan. She was once cited for
throwing dirt on the roof after a monsoon storm. U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi,
R-Ariz., and Clayton Hon-yumptewa, director of the Hopis' land office,
said the settlement calls for an arbitration board to be set up to
resolve disputes, a $50 million escrow account to be divided by the two
tribes, creation of designated buffers where no Navajo development would
be permitted and a five-year study of eagles in the area. Eagles are an
especially sensitive matter for Hopi religious leaders and their highly
secretive ceremonial societies. They gather the birds for ceremonies
over a wide swath, primarily between Flagstaff and the tribe's three
mesas. Honyumptewa said the arbitration board will deal with problems
that arise if Hopis are denied access to their religious sites. It will
be made up of equal numbers of members from the two tribes and will be
overseen by an arbitrator with no affiliation with either tribe. The
Navajos reside on the nation's largest reservation, the majority of
which is in Northeastern Arizona. It surrounds Hopi land. "This land is
just as spiritual to us as the mesa tops where we live," said former
Hopi Chairman Ferrell Secakuku. "It's a milestone to negotiate this to
an end in a peaceful manner. We both have to co-exist here, and this
shows that one tribe can't dominate anymore." The Hopi Tribal Council
had approved the settlement measure in September 2004, but it took the
Navajo Nation Council two years to finally sign off on it because of
intense opposition in the western part of the Navajo Reservation over
questions about development. The Navajo Nation Council voted 75-3 to
approve the agreement in September.