Armed agents desecrate sacred fire at sacred San Francisco Peaks



Chief Arvol Looking Horse 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe.
Forest Service agent Osborn is the one desecrating the sacred fire.

Chief Arvol Looking Horse present as armed agents desecrate sacred fire on San Francisco Peaks

By Indigenous Action Media
Posted at Censored News
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2012/07/armed-agents-desecrate-sacred-fire-at.html

Armed agents from Forest Service and Coconino County Sheriffs enforced desecration of the sacred fire at a ceremony for the San Francisco Peaks on Friday. Law enforcement agents also had a K-9 unit. One person was issued a citation.
Photos by Libby Williams




Previous news release and WAYS TO TAKE ACTION NOW!: http://www.indigenousaction.org/forest-service-threatens-legal-implications-and-assault-of-sacred-fire-at-sacredholy-peaks-ceremony/

Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples

Formal Statement July 6, 2012

“The Creator gave the Aboriginal Indigenous Nations of the People Laws to follow and responsibilities to care for all Creation. These instructions have been passed down from generation to generation from the beginning of Creation. It is the Law that no one can overpower the Creator’s Law, you are a part of Creation, thus if you break the Law, you are destroying yourself.

We speak on behalf of all Creation: the four legged/those that swim/those that crawl/those that fly/those that burrow in the Earth/the plant and tree Nations. This one life system includes the elements of fire, water, earth and air, the living environment of “Mother Earth”.

The Sanctity of the Creator’s Law has been broken. The balance of life has been disrupted. You come into life as a sacred being. If you abuse the sacredness of your life then you affect all Creation. The future of all life is now in jeopardy.

We have now reached the crossroads. As Aboriginal Indigenous People we ask you to work with us to save the future of all Creation.”

The Holy/Sacred Ceremonial Fire unites us as Aboriginal Indigenous Nations of the People on our threatened Holy/Sacred Mountain (San Francisco Peaks) on July 4-7^th 2012.

The holy/sacred ceremonial fire renews our connection to all Creation, it carries our prayers and represents all life. When it pertains to our ceremony or ceremonial fire it is imperative for the Forest Service to acknowledge that the Indigenous Peoples are the sole authority on our culture and way of life and any decisions that do not attain our free, prior and informed consent are not consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

A great urgency is in our midst with the wind, water and fire showing it’s power because of the imbalance from over management. As these fires burn, throughout the west and around the world, they are forever disrupting and destroying not only homes of the two-legged, but also many lives and homes of the animal, plant and tree Nations.

After much time spent on educating the Forest Service on the importance of our role as the Original Caretakers of this Land. We feel great sadness for the Forest Service as they have given the Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples Council no choice. The choice to violate our own cultural protocols or face legal implications is not consistent with creating a working relationship with Indigenous Peoples. The holy/sacred fire will continue. We refuse to participate in this atrocity; it is up to the Forest Service to determine whether they will disrupt these prayers. We will have no part in this act! Our prayers are to protect the sanctity of the threatened sacred/holy mountain including forgiving those that continue to desecrate life. We are spiritual people and we maintain peace through our ceremonies.

We are united under the Creator’s Law. We are from various Indigenous Nations and are spiritually related. We have been placed on our lands as Aboriginal Indigenous Nations of the People with sacred instructions and responsibilities placed within us by the Creator to follow the Laws of the Creator. Federal agencies use terms like federally recognized and federally unrecognized. We see this as your way of dividing the Indigenous Peoples. We are united under the Creator’s Law, as United Indigenous Nations, to protect and extend Life for all future generations.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COUNCIL

Chief, Arvol Looking Horse
19^th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
Spiritual Leader
Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations
Bobby C. Billie
Clan Leader and Spiritual Leader
Council of the Original Miccosukee
Simanolee Nation Aboriginal People

Forest Service threatens assault on Sacred Fire at San Francisco Peaks

Forest Service threatens legal implications and assault of Sacred Fire at Sacred/Holy Peaks Ceremony

Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples Council statement posted below

From Indigenous Action Media

Posted at Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
French Translation:
http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=836

FLAGSTAFF, AZ -- U.S. Forest Service officials have threatened Indigenous spiritual leaders, medicine people, and elders with legal implications if they keep alive the sacred fire at a ceremony on the sacred/holy San Francisco Peaks.

Although a voluntary closure order for the Traditional Cultural Gathering was previously granted by Coconino Forest Supervisor M. Earl Stewart, Stewart apparently changed his position and issued the threat as the four day ceremony was initiated on July 4th, 2012.

When confronted by Forest Service officials, members of the Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples Council, the group hosting the Traditional Cultural Gathering, invited Forest Service officials to sit with elders to resolve the Forest Service's concerns with the ceremonial  fire. Coconino Forest Supervisor Stewart stated in a letter dated July 5, 2012, "non-compliance will result in citations for having a fire during restrictions and/or camping in a closure area without a special use permit."

Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples Council had worked to inform the Coconino National Forest of this ceremony since December 2011 and again met with Coconino Tribal Relations on February 27 and June 21 of 2012 to answer questions and to make sure the Forest Service was fully aware of the Council's activities.
On May 17, 2012, the Forest Service was notified that a sacred fire was central to the Traditional Cultural Gathering.

The Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples Council is calling for support to address this serious disruption and violation of the Traditional Cultural Gathering. Please call and email the following Forest Service officials and urge them not to assault and desecrate the sacred fire:

M. Earl Stewart Coconino Forest Supervisor
Phone: (928) 527-3600
Email: estewart@fs.fed.us

Corbin Newman Regional Forester
U.S. Forest Service, Southwest Region
333 Broadway SE Albuquerque, NM
87102
Email:¨cnewman02@fs.fed.us
Contact President Obama and urge him to fulfill his 2008 campaign promise to support “legal protections for sacred places and cultural traditions, including Native ancestors burial grounds and churches.”

President Obama:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Online Comments: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples

Formal Statement

July 6, 2012

“The Creator gave the Aboriginal Indigenous Nations of the People Laws to follow and responsibilities to care for all Creation.  These instructions have been passed down from generation to generation from the beginning of Creation.  It is the Law that no one can overpower the Creator’s Law, you are a part of Creation, thus if you break the Law, you are destroying yourself.

We speak on behalf of all Creation: the four legged/those that swim/those that crawl/those that fly/those that burrow in the Earth/the plant and tree Nations.  This one life system includes the elements of fire, water, earth and air, the living environment of “Mother Earth”.

The Sanctity of the Creator’s Law has been broken.  The balance of life has been disrupted.  You come into life as a sacred being.  If you abuse the sacredness of your life then you affect all Creation.  The future of all life is now in jeopardy.

We have now reached the crossroads.  As Aboriginal Indigenous People we ask you to work with us to save the future of all Creation.”

The Holy/Sacred Ceremonial Fire unites us as Aboriginal Indigenous Nations of the People on our threatened Holy/Sacred Mountain (San Francisco Peaks) on July 4-7^th 2012.

The holy/sacred ceremonial fire renews our connection to all Creation, it carries our prayers and represents all life. When it pertains to our ceremony or ceremonial fire it is imperative for the Forest Service to acknowledge that the Indigenous Peoples are the sole authority on our culture and way of life and any decisions that do not attain our free, prior and informed consent are not consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

A great urgency is in our midst with the wind, water and fire showing it’s power because of the imbalance from over management. As these fires burn, throughout the west and around the world, they are forever disrupting and destroying not only homes of the two-legged, but also many lives and homes of the animal, plant and tree Nations.

After much time spent on educating the Forest Service on the importance of our role as the Original Caretakers of this Land. We feel great sadness for the Forest Service as they have given the Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples Council no choice. The choice to violate our own cultural protocols or face legal implications is not consistent with creating a working relationship with Indigenous Peoples. The holy/sacred fire will continue. We refuse to participate in this atrocity; it is up to the Forest Service to determine whether they will disrupt these prayers. We will have no part in this act! Our prayers are to protect the sanctity of the threatened sacred/holy mountain including forgiving those that continue to desecrate life. We are spiritual people and we maintain peace through our ceremonies.

We are united under the Creator’s Law. We are from various Indigenous Nations and are spiritually related. We have been placed on our lands as Aboriginal Indigenous Nations of the People with sacred instructions and responsibilities placed within us by the Creator to follow the Laws of the Creator. Federal agencies use terms like federally recognized and federally unrecognized. We see this as your way of dividing the Indigenous Peoples.  We are united under the Creator’s Law, as United Indigenous Nations, to protect and extend Life for all future generations.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COUNCIL

 Chief, Arvol Looking Horse
19^th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
Spiritual Leader
Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations  
Bobby C. Billie
Clan Leader and Spiritual Leader
Council of the Original Miccosukee
Simanolee Nation Aboriginal People

Navajo Council votes NO! to Little Colorado River water rights settlement

Navajo Council session today.
Photos by Dine' Water Rights published with permission
at Censored News.

Breaking news: Navajo Council votes down Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Settlement

Thanks to Dine' Water Rights for sharing the vote!

The vote was 15 against, six in favor, and three abstentions!

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.fr/2012/07/navajo-council-session-for-vote-on.html
French translation
http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=852


WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. -- The Navajo Nation Council voted down the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Settlement Agreement on Thursday afternoon. The vote was 15 opposed, six in favor, and three abstentions.

Navajos opposed to the settlement say it is a scheme devised by Arizona senators, corrupt politicians and non-Indian attorneys to steal Navajo water rights for the Navajo Generating Station, one of the dirtiest coal-fired power plants in the US, and for non-Indians in Arizona to continue their lavish lifestyles.

Navajo Council Delegate Katherine Benally said, "I am speaking for the future generations. I have heard you my dear people. This settlement is the Genocide of our nation, and as a leader I will not allow that. As a women, I pray to water, I sit behind water and pray for it. I praise the efforts of my people and I ask you to support me, support us leaders as we move on. Let's take this negative document and make it a positive one. One that will rejuvenate our people."

Reporting from the council chambers, Dine' Water Rights said so far today, most council delegates have opposed the scheme. The scheme has been promoted by Arizona Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain, along with the Navajo Nation's non-Indian water rights attorney. The settlement would sever Navajos expansive water rights under the Winter's Doctrine.

Council Delegate Benally told the council, "We must protect what is rightfully ours. Peabody's greed and disrespect to our water and our resources needs to stop." She is the Navajo council delegate for Chilchinbeto, Dennehotso and Kayenta, Ariz., in the region where Peabody Coal mines Black Mesa. The coal is used for the Navajo Generating Station near Page.

Benally told the council that Navajo communities have been misinformed about the settlement. Benally said only ten farms are listed in the settlement. Further, she said the Western Agency Council has unanimously voted this settlement down.

"We can not trust Kyl! He was an attorney for APS! He won on their behalf and cheated native people."

"Tribal nations across this nation are looking at us they are looking to us to see if we will kneel down and bow to the federal government. Let us not only let our people down but all indigenous people across the united states," Benally said, as reported by Dine' Water Rights  in the council chambers today, Thursday, July 5, 2012.

The Navajo Council voted in favor of separate legislation further opposing the scheme. The council voted 15 to 1, with eight abstentions, in favor of legislation sponsored by Councilwoman Benally. In this legislation, the council voted opposition to the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Settlement Agreement and the lease extension for the Navajo Generating Station, as stated in US Senate Bill 2109.

While many Navajos live without running water and electricity, they live with the pollution and disease from coal mining and coal fired power plants, along with oil and gas wells and unreclaimed uranium mining from the Cold War. Besides the disease and pollution, the land on Black Mesa has been devastated from coal mining, and already the water has been depleted in the springs and aquifer, in order for Peabody Coal and the Navajo Generating Station to produce electricity that flows away from Navajoland to cities in the Southwest.

VIDEO: The Rights of Mother Earth

'Los Derechos de la Pachamama' is an emotional and inspiring video that was created as a joint project between five indigenous communities in Peru with the message: 'We wish from out hearts that these rights we are proposing will be added to and that people across the world recover their harmony with our Mother Earth.'

This video was made through a participatory process, with the following communities:
Perka, Puno, facilitated by Sabino Cutipa
Karhui and Queromarca, Cusco, facilitated by Rosio Achahui
Chaka, Ayacucho, facilitated by Pelayo Carrillo
Perccapampa, Huancavelica, facilitated by Balvino Zavallos
Cochas Grande, Junín, facilitated by Irma Poma

In April 2010 InsightShare's Latin America Director Maja, and community video facilitators Balvino, Primitivo, Irma and Rosio participated in the exciting People's Forum on Climate Change and Mother Earth Rights, in Cochabamba, Bolivia that was attended by 35,000 people. This video was especially created for this special meeting and was screened at the side event of the official forum.

The project was facilitated by Maja Tillmann as part of 'Conversations with the Earth'. Launched in April 2009, Conversations with the Earth is a collective opportunity to build a global movement for an indigenous-controlled community media network. CWE works with a growing network of indigenous groups and communities living in critical ecosystems around the world, from the Atlantic Rainforest to Central Asia, from the Philippines to the Andes, from the Arctic to Ethiopia. Through CWE, these indigenous communities are able to share their story of climate change. Through the creation of sustainable autonomous indigenous media hubs in these regions, CWE fosters a long-term relationship with these communities, based on principles of local control and supporting indigenous media capacity.

Impact:
- After the production of this video, the Peru hub has been expanding its network of communities in Peru and even across the border in Bolivia. At the beginning of July 2010 Maja and Irma facilitated a PV training at the 'mother hub' Cuyay Wasi in Vilcacoto. This training brought together representatives of communities in Cusco, Ayacucho, Chaski (Peru) and Bolivia to learn PV and develop their own video action plans. Through the Food Sovereignty Programme 3 Aymara communities near Lake Titicaca are now also involved in the Conversations with the Earth project.
- Watching this video inspired the CWEparticipatory video teams in Kenya and the Philippines to start interviewing people in their own communities to create a similar film about their visions on the rights of Mother Earth. These videos are also available on this YouTube Channel.

Edited by Maja Tillmann and Rodrigo Otero
Cuyay Wasi, April 2010


For more information:
www.insightshare.org
www.conversationsearth.org