Greetings Everyone,

My visit to the Northwestern region of HPL in the Red Willow Springs and Cactus Valley area revealed still much hardship and fear among the residents. The BIA has continued to conduct adjudication of the Accomodation Agreement (policies allowing resistors to remain) guidelines by pushing to have AA signers give-up the excess animals to be shipped off the reservation. This was very disturbing to one family that I happened to visit and the BIA personnel were just on the scene that early morning of Oct. 16th.
This traditional family's peaceful breakfast was disturbed by the several BIA/Hopi Range Technician vechicles that drove up around 7:30 AM. These government personnel spoke only in English and were some how able to get their message across that they were there to take their animals some 250 miles from this family's home. The elder mother confronted them and said, Why can't they bring someone who spoke Dineh? Something she had requested before. The mother tried to tell them, "It is difficult today because of the snowy weather and cattle are hard to spot in such weather." She continued to insist that she had written a two page letter to The Hopi Lands Operation Office and had stated that she will not allow any of her animals taken so suddenly. The BIA personnel said they brought stock-trailers and they are ready to haul that day. The mother, Mayze Katenay Begay, try to tell her family not to take action upon the BIA request, but her husband, son, and daughter went ahead and saddle up their horses and left into the windy, cold and snowy canyonlands. Later, the BIA returned and said because of the weather they will returned Thursday, Oct. 22nd and for her to make sure the cattle are ready to be hauled off. They left a 20 foot stock trailer in front of the sheep corral and left. She was so angered and disturbed so, she ask me to scripple a message on the trailer so I did. I asked the BIA not to take it upon the family and that I personally wrote on the trailer. I will be leaving this afternoon to check on what was the outcome. There is plenty more happening and I hope to write something more informative upon my return. Also, I asked if any supporters who are in touch with other representative from Big Mtn. or other areas of HPL to inquire to them to go out there and beginning informing you about other government activities. Personally, I feel that the more input we can get from other Dineh Coordinators, (native of HPL) there can be a lot more flow of updated statuses. What supporters should try to take note of about information that comes from your Dineh contacts on the land is that whats most important to hear about are the BIA activities, and recent BIA Tribal Council official activities. We all should begin to understand that these traditional elders' resistance could become more intense and will require more monitoring by American and World communities. Myself, I'm overwhelmed with my studies here at Northern Ariz. Univ. and trying my best to keep the concerned folks aware about the continued harassments and the intimidations prepetrated by the BIA and their On-the-Land Agents. Next time I like to put together more information and try to relay some words from some of the resistors,and as well as my views of the situation.
Thank You for your continued and vital support, and the Prayers that is said for the traditional elders who are trying to Save Humanity.

To All My Relations, Bahe

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