Navajo News at Censored News Oct. 30, 2015

 Navajo News at Censored News

Alert: Arizona officials intent on stealing Navajo water rights have an upcoming Arizona Town Hall in November: http://www.aztownhall.org/Upcoming_Town_Hall

Censored News is happy to share with you these Dine' (Navajo) news stories from the people on the land, Censored News journalists and video coverage of testimony before Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington.

Nihigaal bee Iina Dine' walkers at Sisnaajini, San Luis Valley

By Nihigaal bee Iina 

Oct. 30, 2015:" We made it to the base of Sisnaajini! The mountain is beautiful and we can definitely feel the strength of dził'adzaan. Here in the San Luis Valley, we can also feel the impacts of colonization - the presence of our people has been removed from this area for generations, starting with the Spanish land grab settlement of Nuevo Mexico back in the 1600's. As indigenous people, we are in the minority here, to the point where many people are confused by our presence here ..." Read more:
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/nihigaal-bee-iina-dine-walkers-at.html






Video interview with Louise Benally at Big Mountain
By Christine Prat
Video in English. Article in French. Thank you Christine Prat for sharing your photo, video and article with Censored News. Watch video and read article:
http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=3080
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/video-louise-benally-at-big-mountain-by.html

Big Mountain: On-Land, Decolonized-Spirited Gathering, Nov. 21 - 27th & Beyond
By NaBahii Keediniihii
Lets do this together at the heart of Big Mountain, November 21st - 27th:

- Boycott "Genocide-Coverup" Week (aka Thanksgiving), and show up at the Blackgoat homestead, Thinrock Mesa,

- Herd sheep as family monitor your first day, and so that elders can rest or tend to important cultural activities,

- Provide your vehicle or chainsaw, if you wish, for the numerous support project activities,

- Join wood crews that will gather firewood and do a few needed road repair work,

- Attend the closing day assembly to feast and celebrate solidarity, Friday, November 27th.
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/video-louise-benally-at-big-mountain-by.html

Interview with Sacramento State student Chiitaanibah Johnson, Navajo/Maidu
by Francisco Dominguez and Dan Bacher  

(Photo copyright Francisco Dominquez)

Interview with Sacramento State student Chiitaanibah Johnson, Navajo/Maidu 

Q: Explain the events that led to a part time adjunct history teacher, Maury Wiseman, disenrolling you from his class, American History 17A, a requirement at Sacramento State University. This is a controversy that has gained national media attention. 

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/video-louise-benally-at-big-mountain-by.html

Human Rights and Water: Testimony before Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Video testimony: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Thanks to Michelle Cook, Dine', for sharing the news from Washington

Navajo in New Mexico testify on uranium mining, radiation and water. Listen to more.
Testimony on Human Rights and Water before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Washington DC this week.
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/human-rights-and-water-testimony-before.html

Extractive industries impacts on sacred places: Navajo, Pueblo and Apache testify
Friday, Oct. 23, 2015: Washington DC
Photos and video by Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Indigenous representative gathered in Washington D.C, Oct 23 at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to give testimony regarding the need to secure and meaningfully protect sacred sites and landscapes, including San Francisco Peaks. Mt. Taylor, and the recent land exchange and proposed copper mining at Oak Flat.

Those testifying are Leonard Gorman Executive Director, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission. Dr. Ora V. Marek Martinez, Historic Preservation Officer, Navajo Nation. Vernelda Grant, Historic Preservation Officer San Carlos Apache Nation, and David Martinez, 1st Lt. Governor, The Pueblo of Laguna.

The testimony highlighted current inadequacies within the legal framework of the United States  in protecting indigenous sacred sites particularly those located off reservation lands.

The thematic hearing was titled: Impact of extractive industries on sacred places of indigenous peoples in the United States Hearing, 156th ordinary period of sessions.
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/extractive-industries-impact-on-sacred.html

Collusion by Feds on Navajo Coal Plant Deal
Illegal government collusion and secrecy uncovered in EPA and Dept. of Interior deal on air pollution control at Navajo Generating Station

Navajo community groups file civil action to address harmful smokestack emissions without delay: BLACK MESA, Ariz. – One of the nation's oldest and dirtiest coal-burning power plants will be able to continue dumping pollution into the skies above the Navajo Nation for another three decades because of a plan that was hatched in secrecy by government agencies, a coalition of Navajo groups claim in a complaint filed on Oct. 26, 2015.

http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/10/collusion-by-feds-uncovered-on-navajo.html

Navajo Farmer Visits Palestine
Roberto Nutlouis' photos and words as he shares his journey to Palestine, in solidarity with Palestinians
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/09/dineh-farmer-visits-palestine.html
and
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/09/photos-navajo-in-palestine-ethnic.html
"They built a wall to try to keep terrorists out And it becomes symbolic what terrorism’s about" (h. Salam)

Spent the day taking with various communities impacted by the apartheid wall. They explained it as 'Ethnic Cleansing' by making their lives severely difficult and many communities have becomes ghost towns. The Beduin communities have collective decided to resist relocation. It demonstrates indigenous peoples deep connection to their lands are not easily uprooted.

Beduin elders remind us this struggle is not isolated but rather part of the continued colonization.

"The British brought settlers to your lands and they also sent them to our lands" -- Roberto Nutlouis, Dineh in Palestine