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Show they find out the real facts. The people whove been at it for so long, who have gone on to university to spread opposition started out using the coal conspiracy as an excuse, they switched to blaming the Hopi tribe, and now theyve switched back to coal again. And although some activists paint the Hopi tribe as greedy and politically motivated, Kay calls into question Monesterskys motives for getting involved. While it seems she has nothing material to gain from her work, Kay feels Monesterskys ego may be the driving force; her need for some kind of recognition. He also questions what is being done with the money Monestersky and her group have raised over the years, speculating funds have been misappropriated. She has collected a lot of money, but wheres that money going? he asks. I dont think its the Navajo up there that are getting the TIT: J-a- 03 rW vsSr w v-e- r.i I asr& Qni30j r v x typ! , s jfSr i? ,,wais: jL' jssszut ls, rv &&? y'Sv , kse TPW iCJ c Jr : , r; 4 5 v ,- - ? . se- t- v, z$z -- sP-- j v; i1 -- money. Despite some perceptions of the Hopi Tribal Council, Kay says he has a genuine concern for the welfare of the Navajos. He fears those who did not sign up for the Accommodation Agreement or relocation benefits will be stuck with nothing once the February 2000 eviction deadline arrives. Nothing good is going to come out of this, he says. Its going to be the resistors that have to put up with whatever happens. Its not Marsha ... shes going to go on her way. TURNING THE TABLES repercusAlthough Kay worries for the short-tereffects of sions for the Navajo, he fears the long-terMonesterskys revisionist view of history may be even more damaging. At the best, he says, w'hat she passes off At the as fact is skewed, exaggerated and lies shes and What its worst, propaganda. outright putting out is gross misinformation, he says. For example, Kay says Monesterskys claims that thousands of Navajos are facing forced relocation is a gross exaggeration. According to the Hopi tribes latest report, there are about 28 individual resistors interspersed among 13 families living on HPL. Kay says many of these resistors have refused to sign the lease because they were told they would have to pay rent, something they could not afford. But Kay says while rent is part of the deal, it is paid by the Navajo govern-- , ment and does not come out of individuals pockets. Furthermore, Kay says claims that the Hopi were motivated by financial gain with the lease agreement are unfounded. According to him, the tribe had no hand in instigating the 1996 Settlement Act and resultant Accommodation Agreement. Rather, Kay says the idea came from the Navajo side. The 1996 Settlement Act arose out of Navajo Nation President Zahs plea to the Hopi Tribal Council to allow Navajo elders to stay on Hopi land, says Kay. The Hopis were finding a way to accommodate Zahs request. As for the $23 million the Hopis allegedly received in m m one-side- d. Host qowr fall outdoor retreats As you contemplate the coming Christmas Toll Free: 1 -8- 88-637-2582 Navajo-populat- ed season, come visit our store, filled with festive holiday trimmings. Pioneer House Inn Bc& & Breakfast, Bluff Expeditions Bluff, Utah's Historic Inn d Dress Your Home for the Holidays At the Room prices begin at $54.00. Private entrances and baths. Nancy Richmond livestock, such as these sheep on Big Mountain, are often subject to impoundment by the Hopi BIA if found grazing without a permit. BIA rangers say they have difficulty enforcing the laws on HPL because of language barriers and misinformation disseminated by Monestersky, who says impoundment is used unfairly to punish Navajo resistors. exchange for Navajo signatures on the leases, Kay says it range war between the two tribes. He insists the land was a settlement from a lawsuit in w hich the Hopis sued dispute was very real and arose when the Hopi, w ho had the U.S. government for failing to protect their land put up with Navajo squatters for years, wanted to from Navajo encroachment. Kay says it is a slap in the reclaim land that was theirs under an 1882 presidential face to insinuate sovereign tribal politics could be order. Partitioned lands were made because the Hopi bought. To imply that an outsider could influence the .requested it ... Hopi wanted to use the (joint use) area tribal political decisions ... is the same outside paternal- but the Navajo wouldnt let them. The Navajo destroyed istic attitude Indian people have endured for generaany structure the Hopi put up. tions. In addition to legal rights to the land under the 1882 Kay says the tribe takes a similar sovereign stance law', Kay says archaeological data also back up Hopi with Peabody. Although the coal company gives the claims to the land. Theres a lot of Pueblo sites that pretribe $45 million annually in coal revenues, he contends date Navajo sites, he says, much more Pueblo sites. it has no influence on HPL relocation. Relocation is Sutton says Monesterskys claims that trouble between us and the families, he says, it has nothing to between the tribes was manufactured by Peabody are do with Peabody at this point. He adds that Peabody also false. According to Sutton, the trouble existed long has shown no interest in expanding into the before Peabody began mining the land some 30 years Big Mountain area on HPL. Beth Sutton, ago. Ive lived in the Southwest my whole life, she relations issue public spokeswoman for Peabody, seconds says, the land dispute relates to a century-ol-d this. between the Navajo and the Hopi tribes. has no involvement in the land dispute or Peabody affairs of Big Mountain, she says. There is no active JUST DOING THEIR JOBS mine option, no planned mine options, simply no XTiile Peabody and the Hopi Tribal Council are perinvolvement. haps Monesterskys favorite targets, she also frequently 0 also discredits claims a of Kay staged takes aim at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, an arm of the I Monesterskys Navajo-owne- Here you will find beautiful trees, decked with ornaments for everyone on your list and special holiday touches and traditions can be found to fill every comer of your home. I 15 E. Main Ave., Cortez CATCHER 565-645M-- F 10-5:- 30 6 Sat g0 'V Wv .- -x 10-- 5 November 19, 1999 - Cross Currents 7 |