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PERSONAL MEMOIR AND A PLEA FOR BIG MOUNTAIN SUPPORT FROM
MARK AND BEAR DYKEN, LONG TIME SUPPORTERS OF BIG MOUNTAIN.

Dear Friends,

Most of you know that last year Bear, Somer and I ran the Big Sur International Marathon
last year and used the opportunity to ask for pledges which we used for our continuing work
with the Dineh people of Arizona.

My legs are still recovering from my car crash six months ago, so I haven't been able to train
to run the Big Sur this year. But Bear is pressing on. Last year your pledges raised just over
$1600, which went toward the spring planting and
repairs. Please read the following message from Bear and consider supporting him as he covers
26.2 miles.

You can pledge by the mile or a lump sum if he covers the distance, maybe a bonus if he can
do it in under 4 hours.

Thanks,
md

I'm going to run the Big Sur International Marathon again. My training period has been a
challenge so far. O. K. that's an understatement. But I'm not here to whine about my
problems. So I got hit by a car in Mexico. So what. My legs work fine. The marathon
is April 27th and i plan to be at the starting line and less than four hours later i plan to
cross the finish line, carrying with me all the good thoughts and prayers of the supporters
of the resistance at Big Mountain and the surrounding communities of the Dineh indian
reservation in northeastern Arizona.

It has been a particuarily hard winter on the res. We have sent out extra funds for firewood,
and food. People have been stranded in their homes because of the excessive rain, snow, ice,
and mud. We have been asked to send out the message for supporters to do what they can
for the elders in resistance. The issues of coal, and especially uranium mining are more
pressing than ever with energy demands and prices ratcheting up and the big companies
lining up for the next wave of resource extraction and new generators. The time to act is
now to idenitfy old toxic uranium mines and to prevent new ones from going in as the
nuclear industry prepares for another onslaught to the health of these indigenous
communities and the earth itself. Spring is the time to plant corn and other native crops
so important to the cultures of this region.

Please support our spring trip to the reservation by pledging some money on my 26.2 mile vigil.
love, Bear

For more info., contact bdyken@wildblue.net