Volunteers Needed

Elders and families of Black Mesa have asked for supporters to come stay with them to herd sheep, assist in gardening, help with repair work, haul water, chop wood, acting as human rights observers, and help with various work projects.

Black Mesa has suffered human rights abuses and ecological devastation; the water supply on Black Mesa is shrinking; thousands of archeological sites have been destroyed; and, unbeknownst to most Americans, close to 14,000 Navajos, or Dineh, have been removed from their homes. As sacred lands like Black Mesa and indigenous cultures everywhere are being sacrificed to feed the growing demand for energy and other consumptive lifestyle choices, it is our responsibility to act on these injustices. This deliberate program of organized genocide MUST STOP!!

"We must not let artificial concepts of reservation boundaries and the rhetoric of corporate and governmental terrorism sway from us our inherent stewardship of our Awidelin Tsitda, Mother Earth." (quote taken from The Shiwi Messenger by Cal Seciwa, Zuni Tribal Member.)

There are several ways that you can actively support the struggle at Black Mesa:

STAY WITH A FAMILY ON BLACK MESA
Direct, On-Land Support (long and short term): BMIS has a list of families requesting support to come to Black Mesa to stay for either for a few days or for a month or longer to herd sheep, and help with daily chores. Especially during the cold winter months there is much wood-chopping and gathering to be done, and during lambing season help is very much appreciated. If you cannot commit to long-term support then consider organizing or being part of a work crew on a run to The Land for a few days. If you can, bring some tools for chopping wood, digging outhouses, repairing sheds, shelters, cars, and roads. Please be sure to contact BMIS and arrangements can be made for somebody to act as a guide for getting around those back-country roads to home sites. Come prepared to help with gas money, bring your own food and plenty of water (enough for the duration of the trip is required). Please make arrangements with BMIS prior.

As for long-term support, staying a month or longer to get the routine down is what most families prefer. Families may need you to herd sheep, run errands, haul water, chop wood, help with repair work. Many Elders are very appreciative of massage. Once you are staying with a family they will let you know what is needed. In no way do we as supporters ever want to impose our ways on one another, no matter how small an action you think it is. Come to Black Mesa with the intention to take direction from the Elders and residents- we are there to support. If Elders' children or grandchildren are there, it is important that support do not take over roles that are good for family to be doing. Some Elders live alone and are in need of help with daily chores and other projects. BMIS requires supporters to read the cultural sensitivity / supporter packet found on-line at http://www.blackmesais.org/cultural_sen.html or by writing BMIS - P.O. Box 23501, Flagstaff, Arizona 86002.

"We go not as a charity but out of solidarity and for their perseverance in the face of heavy repression and psychological warfare."

Contact your elected and appointed public officials and tribal councils and urge them to repeal PL-93-531 (contact information provided on www.blackmesais.org)

Join or support the Annual Black Mesa Thanksgiving Food and Supply Run. www.clandyken.com

Fundraise to bring human rights delegations to Black Mesa from all over the world so that they can write resolutions in their parliaments that no corporations from their countries exploit Black Mesa. (See the United Nations and European Union contacts.)

Learn more about and support the grassroots people at Black Mesa. Educate yourself about issues dealing with Black Mesa.

Ask yourself the question of why do these issues spark your interest. Most of us are from or benefit from the dominant western society. Improve your everyday lifestyle choices. Lessen your water and electricity usage, how much gas you use, what you consume. You play a part in this. We are all from the Earth.

Black Mesa Water Coalition represents a common interest by students of Northern Az. University & Flagstaff community members to aid in the struggle to end the pumping of groundwater from the N-Aquifer.

Black Mesa Indigenous Support is a group of individuals acting to support the sovereignty of the indigenous people affected by mining activities on Black Mesa, who face forced relocation, environmental devastation, and cultural extinction at the hands of multi-national corporations, and United States and Tribal Governments. www.blackmesais.org; P.O. Box 23501, Flagstaff, Arizona 86002
Message Voice Mail: 928.773.8086
Email: blackmesais@riseup.net

Black Mesa Indigenous Support (BMIS) works to support the sovereignty of indigenous people on Black Mesa facing forced relocation, environmental devastation, and cultural extinction at the hands of multi-national corporations, and United States and tribal governments.

Ways to Support the People of Big Mountain