An open letter to the Hopi community-The Hopi People United in Action

August 16, 2007

Editor:

We are concerned members of the Hopi Tribe uniting to address issues that have surfaced as a result of the lack of a Hopi Tribal Council quorum and will be gathering to address issues that are very important to us.

The items to be addressed include how the Hopi people are impacted by the lack of the Hopi Tribal Council quorum. What does the Hopi Tribe stand to lose from their failure to meet? What can be done to hold our tribal council accountable for their actions?

What is the current status?

To date, the Hopi people have paid the Hopi Tribal Council $186,000 over the last three months. This salary is being collected without attending any of the tribal council meetings. What if anything, are they reporting to your villages?

There are several representatives that continue to travel without proper authorization because the Hopi Tribal Council has not achieved a quorum to conduct official business and approve their calendar. Do you approve of this?

The Hopi tribal treasurer and vice chairman refuse to sign travel authorizations for the Hopi Tribal chairman citing the resolution that nullified the election. This is being done in violation of the temporary restraining order and under the direction and guidance of the Hopi Tribe's general counsel and tribal attorney Scott Canty.

Do you feel that the Hopi general counsel's office is providing appropriate legal advice? Remember, the role of an attorney is to protect their client and prevent further harm. Do you support his actions in guiding the Hopi Tribal Council to deliberately disobey a lawful order of the court? Do you feel that he is protecting your interests? We, the Hopi people are his clients, too. He should represent our interests.

Since the Hopi Tribal Council is not being sued in their official capacity, should general counsel be representing the Hopi Tribal Council?

The Hopi tribal secretary continues to schedule meetings and recommend travel to prevent the tribal council from achieving a quorum.

The vice chairman and the tribal secretary have already been convicted of a violation of the court order and continue to disregard the court order. Are they subject to removal based on the violations of the court order?

The vice chairman is signing documents and making appearances as if he were the Hopi chairman. What is the vice chairman committing the Hopi Tribe to during his travels and through his signature?

Were you aware of his speech to the law school in New Mexico? Did you approve of his representation of the Hopi people, bashing the chairman at this event?

What are the task teams committing the Hopi Tribe to without presenting them before the Hopi Tribal Council and the Hopi people? We have come to realize the gravity of their actions through the release of documents regarding the water issues and continued use of the N-aquifer for the coal project.

Since the Hopi Tribal Council nullified our votes, can we also take action to nullify the votes at the village level to remove our tribal council representatives?

Are you aware of where your tribal council representative is today and what they're doing?

We, the Hopi people have the ultimate authority, not the Hopi Tribal Council.

The Hopi Tribal Council as a group-not as an individual-represent you, the Hopi people and they were elected to represent your interests. Your votes demonstrated your faith in their ability to represent us.

Are they providing adequate representation of your needs and is their behavior appropriate for the image that you want from a person that you have chosen to represent you?

Come join us to answer these questions and work toward solutions to these problems. We must take action NOW! Call (928) 255-2357 to join.

The Hopi People United in Action (EDITOR'S NOTE: In the Aug. 22 print edition of the Navajo Hopi Observer, this letter was incorrectly attributed to Vernon Masayesva of Kykotsmovi. The Navajo Hopi Observer apologizes for this error.)

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