Hopi's ongoing struggle for land, air and water

Esther Honyestewa

Esther Honyestewa

In the coming months, the Hopi people of my village are facing drastic economic, climate and health challenges because of global warming and the approach of a long, cold winter. Our people are cut off from our own natural coal resources this winter. We don't know who will deliver the coal we once owned.

It's likely that Mohave Generating Station will shut without concern for 2006 coal deliveries. We know this coal was ours to begin with, and if the land is destroyed as a result of the depletion of any aquifer, we should be the first to benefit.

For many years, the Native Americans have endured many battles, tears and challenges through broken treaties, broken promises and broken hearts.

Once again our people, our land and our future are at stake. Our lives, the land and the world are out of balance.

I was appalled by the guest viewpoint in last week's edition of the Navajo Hopi Observer penned by Hopi Water Team Chairman King Honani and Hopi Energy Team Chairman Deanna Entire. Instead of criticizing others regarding the closure of MSG, they should show appreciation and respect for Executive Director of Black Mesa Trust Vernon Masayesva's solitary efforts to find solutions for many years. The solution is not either coal or renewable energy as their article suggests. It is a combination of both.

Many years ago, my uncles used to dig out coal from their own backyard, just south of the Hopi Tribal headquarters in Kykotsmovi. Back then, the coal was free and they simply covered the area when they finished digging it out.

Recently, through colleague Stacy Gildenston, I met with Roger Clark, Director of Air and Energy, and Tony Skrelunas, Native American Senior Program Manager both of Grand Canyon Trust in Flagstaff, to discuss concerns about the coal access in the year 2006. They reassured me by acting quickly to call Peabody Western Coal Co., government officials and concerned parties. They also invited me to a Global Warming workshop called, "Stopping Global Warming from the Ground Up: Igniting a Thousand Points of Clean Light," held last month at Mormon Lake's Montezuma Lodge.

Clark moderated a roundtable discussion on "Dumping Coal off the Grid. A major concern involved a panel discussion of "Mohave Generating Station Shut Down-Creating a Just Transition for Hopi and Navajo people."

MGS has been in operation to provide power for major cities using an incredible amount of water.

As a result of a court ordered consent decree that resulted from a lawsuit brought against the 34-year-old power plant, MGS was required to install pollution control devices required for it to continue operation after 2005, which would bring it into compliance with the Clean Air Act.

MGS is also producing pollution causing dirty air, dirty water, asthma, lung cancer and other health problems. The plant had six years to take care of this situation but did nothing. The power plant is fueled by coal from the Black Mesa Mine, located on and owned jointly by the Hopi and Navajo Nations, and is Black Mesa Mine's only customer.

If, or when, MGS closes, $6.5 million in coal royalty payments to the Hopi Tribe will be lost. An even larger amount of coal royalty payments will be lost to the Navajo Tribe. At the same time, the water levels are going lower and lower causing drier land, springs and sinkholes as well as irrigation problems for the Hopi farmers at the villages of Moenkopi.

In the Oct. 13 issue of the Hopi Tribal newspaper, The Tutuveni, a public notice stated "The Peabody Public Yard Opening Day was scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2005, but coal coupons were not available until the end of October. Beginning Jan. 2, free public coal will no longer be available. Therefore it is very important that all free coal card coupons be used by Dec. 31. If you wish to purchase coal from the Peabody coal yard before the arrival of the free coal coupons, you are free to do so at your own expense."

Every day the weather is changing and as I write, the weather will be getting colder and colder. Will we be able to keep our families warm for the coming days, months and years? The coal situation is a major concern because it affects a major minority population. Will tribal, state and federal leaders and officials come to our aid?

Since the MGS is fueled by coal from the Black Mesa mine, which is located and owned jointly by the Hopi and Navajo Tribes, why do we have to pay for our own coal and other resources on our reservations? The tribes' natural resources should go directly to the natives first! The coal should be free. The coal should be easy to get to, without the use of "coal cards" that can be difficult to get when off the reservation on business or pleasure. One coal card is being issued per family, but since extended families are the norm among Native Americans, one simply is not enough.

The indigenous natives of America must be treated with dignity, respect for their rights and should be greeted with coal supplies at their door when winter approaches. After many years of change without benefit, we deserve our own coal, our land, our water, our air and our freedom of speech!

Whatever the outcome of this situation, everyone will experience economic hardship resulting from climate change and the daily rapid destruction of mother earth. We must look into the best environmental plan of the future for the sake of our children and our grandchildren. We cannot continue to profess one way of living but be living another. Coal is not the answer forever, but the crisis must be dealt with first before we can be warm enough to think of greener, healthier energy solutions.

Three environmental groups, Grand Canyon Trust, Black Mesa Trust and the Sierra Club are working to ensure coal is delivered. Grand Canyon Trust has supported the natives in other ways, such as the MGS closure, the protection of "Nuvatokyaovi," (San Francisco Peaks) and the Grand Canyon Clean Air Initiative. At the same time, the groups are working hard to be sure that we can rely on alternative solar and wind power.

Masayesva, former chairman of the Hopi Tribe and a member of the Coyote Clan of the village of Hotevilla, said, "Our ancestors have taught us many things. We should go back to being Hopis and work hard. We have been hand fed for too long by the government. We are pawning our souls. The closure is an opportunity for Hopis to be hard working, reliant, and we need to take control of our own resources."

Many more years are coming to extract coal. We have a right to demand our coal. We need to look into the clean air initiative."

Masayesva also stated, "First, the people need to know a lot more about what's happening. People don't know and they need to be educated and become interested and involved. Do it in a way that benefits us."

After the Global Warming workshop, many in attendance acknowledged Masayesva for the long hours of hard work he has dedicated to the issues concerning Black Mesa. I also feel he deserves acknowledgement for his research, insight and concern regarding global warming, air, water and environmental issues. He urges everyone to gain more knowledge, solve environmental problems and seek input towards renewable energy for the future.

The Grand Canyon Trust has put much effort towards promoting renewable energy and educating people about global climate change. The Grand Canyon Trust is advocating the use of renewable energy from solar, wind and other forms of energy. The Trust will soon serve on the newly created Climate Change Advisory Group to the Governor of Arizona.

Hopefully, through Masayesva's messages, my people will once again be warm enough to contribute to our political processes as we move towards a cleaner future. I would also like to encourage people to work on their energy efficiency in their homes before winter brings back the drafts. Learn what you can about alternative energy from the Black Mesa Trust and others.

Anyone interested in additional information on these issues should attend a panel discussion with representatives from Grand Canyon Trust, Black Mesa Trust, the Sierra Club, Northern Arizona University and others from noon-2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Hotevilla Senior and Youth Center.

(Esther Kootswatewa Honyestewa is a northern Arizona writer who resides in the village of Hotevilla on Third Mesa.)

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