Although the Hopi Tribal Council was in the middle of an orientation meeting for new Council members, protesters demanded that the Council Representatives come outside and listen to their concerns about water issues.
Lillian Hill, representative from the Black Mesa Water Coalition, and Hopi elders voiced their objections to the power plant, stating that the decision to enter into a joint Development Agreement with Reliant Energy should not have been made until after the public had the opportunity to comment on the project. A number of protesters demanded that the Tribal Council rescind the Resolution.
"We look to you as
leaders," said Hill. "We are all in this together and we need to plan
for the future by looking at sustainable alternatives. We call on you to rescind
the resolution."
In response to the numerous questions directed at him regarding the proposed power plant, Chairman Wayne Taylor, Jr. defended the Tribal Council’s decision to explore the feasibility of the project. He thanked the Tribal Council for their foresight and courage in approving the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between Reliant Energy and the Hopi Tribe, stating, "We as elected leaders have a responsibility to look out for the long term interests of our people. By approving the JDA I firmly believe that we took an important step in fulfilling our responsibility."
"Our survival is challenged
on our Hopi homeland," Taylor continued. "We have little to no opportunity
for growth and prosperity. The lack of jobs and low pay forces many of our children
to leave home. I address the graduating seniors at Hopi and Tuba City High School
almost every year and I always have questions about what is in store for these
bright young people."
Hopi women join the Black Mesa Water Coalition, a group of NAU students, to
protest further use of the N-Aquifer.
Taylor added, "It is my job to make our dreams of growth, prosperity and
happiness for all Hopi people a reality. The proposed power plant will be a
$2 billion investment into the Hopi economy. It will bring opportunities for
individual and community growth: 4 years of high paying construction jobs, 400
long term jobs at the power plant and mine, substantial revenue for securing
our long term future, enhanced and expanded services, and direct investment
in Hopi villages."
A number of protesters questioned Taylor on the additional burden the N-aquifer will have to bear should the power plant become reality.
"We face a crisis we have always faced," answered Taylor. "We do not have enough water for our current and future needs. With or without the power plant our future depends on bringing in an alternative and renewable source of water. We are all interested in saving our water. But we need to ask ourselves if we are satisfied with subsistence and mere survival, which is all we will ever have if we continue denying ourselves opportunities such as the proposed power plant."
Following Chairman Taylor’s explanations, 12 young runners arrived at the Tribal complex and presented the Tribal Chairman and Vice Chairman with important Hopi symbols of life: seeds, a digging stick, and a gourd of water.
Leonard Selestewa, Chairman of Black Mesa Trust, argued against the need for a power plant to stimulate the Hopi Economy. "We should be doing feasibility studies on alternative, renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power," insisted Selestewa. "Rescind the Resolution passed on March 22 that entered the Hopi Tribe into a JDA with Reliant Energy and come up with feasibility studies that look at other options."
Selestewa also brought attention to the lack of oversight over Peabody’s activities at the Black Mesa Mine and questioned if the Tribal government had responded to Peabody’s request for a life of mine permit. "Many environmental laws have been broken; we have to stop the slurry," demanded Selestewa.
In response to these concerns, Chairman Taylor informed the protesters that the Hopi Tribe is committed to stopping the use of N-aquifer water for slurrying coal and is working with Peabody and the Mohave plant owners as well as with the United States to do so. The Tribe is also opposed to Peabody’s request to a life of mine permit, and is preparing comments to submit to the Office of Surface Mining.
Daryn Melvin spoke on behalf of Hopi youth, saying "There is no one word that reflects the importance of water to the Hopi people. No one can put a price on water. I ask our leaders to support us in our endeavor to protect our water."
Tribal Council Representatives ended the gathering by acknowledging the issues raised by those present, and assured everyone that they are committed to ending Peabody’s pumping of the N-aquifer by 2005.
Black Mesa Indigenous
Support
P.O. Box 23501, Flagstaff, Arizona 8600
Message Voice Mail: 928.773.8086
Email: blackmesais@yahoo.com