Black Mesa Needs List

Despite years of struggle against multinational corporations mining the land and pumping the water of Black Mesa and the federal government to repeal the relocation law, the United States continues to deny the Dine' the right to live on their homeland and preserve their traditional way of life.

  • The number one request from families is for responsible, sustainable people to commit for a time and stay with them on Black Mesa. Consider organizing a weekend work party together if you are unable to stay for long periods. Herd sheep, chop wood, assist with cooking meals, help with projects and chores, and act as human rights observers. Many elders live alone or with a few relatives, as most of their children have grown and are busy making a living. Many of the children and grandchildren are living both on Black Mesa and in near-by towns to support their own children and their elders. If possible, a month minimum is ideal but if you can only stay for a couple of weeks, that is very helpful as well. BMIS can assist you with questions concerning cultural sensitivity, herding sheep, what to bring, and more.
  • WORK CREWS: If you are available for several days to couple weeks, consider organizing or joining a crew of workers to do repair work, massage, and permaculture. Contact BMIS to find out what projects there are and to arrange a time to connect with a family or families.
    It is strongly encouraged that visitors read the Cultural Sensitivity Packet to help prepare you for your stay on Black Mesa. It is not expected of one to know everything in the Cultural Sensitivity Packet. Please use it as a helpful guide, talk to us if you have any questions, and enjoy your stay on Black Mesa!
  • SEEDS & PERMACULTURE PROJECTS
  • Recording equipment
  • Tires-new or good used ones. Mainly 235/245/255/265 x 15's
    and 235/245/255/265 x 16's. Two families specifically could use 265/SR16.
  • a mechanic
  • 1. a car dolly(single axle) and 2. a tow bar.
  • Lumber to build two-seater out-house buildings.
  • Chain saws and monetary donations.
  • VEHICULAR REPAIR & VEHICLE PARTS: The rough, dirt roads on the reservation take their toll on the families vehicles.(from the washboards on the dry dirt roads and from the mud by the rains that likes to cake onto the undersides of vehicles.) A very worthwhile project is to raise funds for a skilled mechanic to visit homesites on Black Mesa, do a needs assessment, trade or purchase car parts in the border towns such as Leupp and Flagstaff, and finally, install and repair the vehicles. BMIS can assist with this much needed project wby supplying road guides, doing needs assessment, helping with contacts of junk yards, possible mechanics, and shops. Some families do know how to fix vehicles and can assist with repair, allowing for an economic opportunity while helping out in their own community. This project would require at least $2,000.00.
  • WORKING VEHICLES: Some families have no vehicle and many of those that do could use a newer one. Vehicles are vital on Black Mesa where the terrain is vast and rough. Vehicles are needed to collect wood, haul water, and other needs. BMIS is also in need of a vehicle to coordinate on-land supporters and check in with families.
  • FOOD: potatoes, oats, beans, brown rice, peanut butter, white flour (Bluebird is excellent for fry-bread!), blue cornmeal! (locally available, for pancakes, flat bread, and hot cereal), baking powder, grains, oil, canned foods, fruit & vegetables -fresh from farms if possible, dried milk, coffee, herbal teas, fresh vegetables & fruits, fresh meat if it can be delivered frozen or cold, dry foods, nuts.
  • ANIMAL FOOD: Hay for the livestock and food for dogs and cats are very much appreciated. Dogs play an important role in guarding and herding sheep while cats keep the mice population down.
  • MEDICINE: Cedar, white sage, osha root, other herbs, arthritis medicine, Arnica muscle-easing salve, herbal teas, & first aid. If you are traveling to Black Mesa via Flagstaff, a great place to stop at is Winter Sun Trading Post which has many Southwest botanicals. Another form of medicine is massage for the Elders.
  • HARDWARE/TOOLS: Shears, axes, mauls, sledgehammers, shovels, pick-axes, hammers, handsaws, chainsaws, hoes, pliers, wire-cutters, nails, rope, sledgehammers, construction tools, drills, generators, floor jacks and tools for vehicles are very helpful.
  • WOOD! Wood! Wood! And wood choppers too. Ideally right before the cold winter months arrive.
  • FOOD, SUPPLIES, & VOLUNTEERS: There are always many needs at the annual 'Thanksgiving' Food Run organized by Clan Dyken.
  • MONEY: Sponsor an educational lecture series or a speaker's travel tour. Sponsor international diplomacy efforts (i.e., Human Rights and the European Union forums) by Dineh delegates or spokespersons. Funds are needed for building supplies to be used for homes, corrals, and various other projects that are needed by families living on Big Mountain and surrounding communities.
  • CLOTHES: Nice blankets & clothes please. Horse blankets included.
  • HOUSEHOLD ITEMS:Soap, toilet paper, personal items, pocket knife, matches & lighters, flashlight & batteries, propane, gas, dishwashing liquid, sponges, cloths, brushes.
  • WATER:Families are needing water, especially with the drought in the SWest and with Peabodys ongoing pumping of the NAquifer. Several wells near the Hopi Partitioned Lands residents have been cut off and families have to travel far for water. A resident of Big Mountain has requested funding for two wells to be dug somewhere on Black Mesa for the people living in the communities on and around Big Mountain. If you can help with this, contact Black Mesa Indigenous Support via email or leave a message on our voicemail and we can supply you with further details.
  • GOOD READING MATERIALS! Books about resistance, Indigenous authors, educational books, etc.
  • MISC: radios, scanners, solar panels, blankets, batteries, lanterns, heavy duty flashlights. Additionally, several families have expressed the wish to have a huge canvas or army tent so that residents can set up community meetings and gatherings.
  • FUNDS TO BE USED FOR: Building supplies to repair homes and vehicles of families living on Big Mountain and surrounding communities that live under relocation laws. Medicine for Elders and their families, and to maintain basic office needs which is the voicemail, PO Box, & website, & chainsaw maintenance.
  • PRESSURE is needed at all levels of the government. Visit the contact list of appropriate public officials. Write letters to, call, and email the appropriate government officials, write letters to your newspaper, stage peaceful demonstrations.
  • Last but not least, people are asking for your prayers.
Black Mesa Indigenous Support
P.O. Box 23501, Flagstaff, Arizona 86002
 Message Voice Mail: 928.773.8086
Email: blackmesais@riseup.net