Click image designed by Donovan Pete to use as cover on facebook.
Regarding Fort Defiance meeting to discuss SB 2109:
Posted on Navajo Truth SB 2109 facebook page along with the photos, links, observations and thoughts of many other people. http://www.facebook.com/#!/navajotruth
via Bonnie Jean Canyon:
The police presence at the Fort Defiance meeting was intense and intimidating. This was mentioned by more than one person when the public was allowed to address the NNVP and other officials. I feel it was uncalled for and excessive. Im still trying to figure out why they also needed 2 or 3 fire trucks and also 3-4 ambulances? They must know already just how strongly the people are opposed to this? All the emergency response vehicals took up so much space it was very difficult to find parking. There was a pretty good turn out but it was after 5 that people started showing up even though the meeting started at 4 and Im assuming its because most work until 5. They ran out of chairs and many remained standing for most of the meeting. I feel the power point slide show they presented was meant to sell the bill more than it was to educate and inform. The people present strongly opposed the bill and many who wished to voice their concerns and ask questions were not allowed to speak. I was very happy to see young people in attendence including 2 that came all the way from Phoenix to speak and also a student from Dine College. At least 3 people spoke up towards the end and called out to the NNVP that they had not been allowed to speak. Once again proof that more forums are needed and also that more time should have been given to the public to speak and ask questions. It seems that most feel, that despite the claims of all the uncertainties of letigation, most would rather continue the fight for water claims in court than to waive them and settle.
Photo from Renaldo Chapman–on Navajo Truth SB 2109 facebook–Security at Fort Defiance meeting.
For some insight into the land, people, history and political economics involved in this issue consider this article at – Izilwane –Connecting the human animal to theglobal ecosystem–
“Belonging to the Land, Part One: The Elders of Black Mesa” by Zoe Kransey
Our Water Rights has a hard copy letter writing campaign underway. For information on SB 2109 and HR 4067, and the addresses for snail mail visit www.ourwaterrights.org
Earth Day musing: Yes, that little dark streak near the top is a human. We are much like ants on Earth. Unfortunately in many ways we’re lethal ants destroying everything in our path.
For those of you suffering from limited attention spans please do not let the length of this video deter you from hearing Patricia’s speech given at the Indigenous Environmental Network Conference on the Rights of Mother Earth Restoring Indigenous Life Ways of Responsibility and Respect. There are several important things well worth learning in her speech and replies to questions. One very significant element is how a village of 1,200 has developed international alliances for support of all kinds. I think it’s an art many others need to foster in their own communities. We need to make the most of our common ground in order to protect Earth. Respect, support, communication, tolerance for our differences are not easy to acquire. If the only thing we have in common is a love for Mother Earth–then we better make the most of it. Unlike the Nature Conservancy I think we need to do a great deal more than enjoy picnics outside in order to ‘celebrate’ Earth Day. The Tar Sands operation is just one hard harsh reality we need to face head on. Now, when it’s possible to picnic on the Tar Sands site then that would be something to celebrate indeed. We’re a long long way from that picnic. Presently I don’t think we’d be welcome at the Tar Sands site unless our baskets contained a few tons of solid gold currency.
RANT ALERT! Forewarning–feel free to skip the first paragraph vent if you’re easily offended by ranting that does not bother with being politically correct. Thank you for your patience, forbearance and understanding.
Ever find your patience dramatically challenged by the inability to read or comprehend the written text? Sometimes this is the result of a language barrier. Sometimes it’s the result of fatigue. Sometimes it’s the result of a cultural divide. Sometimes it’s the result of misunderstanding a word or phrase. Sometimes it’s just plain poor reading comprehension skills. Sometimes it results from psychological triggers unexpectedly being set off by a word or phrase. Sometimes it’s just plain ignorance. Sometimes it’s the result of stupidity–yes stupidity for lack of a more accurate politically correct word. Sometimes it’s the result of a mental or physical illness (I suspect my brother’s inability to comprehend simple rational concepts in English is the result of the former rather than the later impairment as he seems to be functioning on the physical level. But I could be wrong about this conclusion. A coin flip could decide the issue better than I. But it won’t stop me from sending him a visit from a straightjacket brigade when I have the funds to do so.) Sometimes it’s the result of a cunning plan to mislead and dissuade folks from realizing one’s intentions. Sometimes it’s just the nature of legal documents. I could go on with these “Sometimes” but I will spare you such speculations. But do feel free to share your own insights and expand my perspective by doing so.
Oh and let me attempt to make one thing very clear— I do NOT support passage of SB 2109. Second clarification: Links are to petitions to STOP SB 2109– NOT in support of it. Are we all chill now? If this is in any way still unclear– polite and civil requests for clarification will be politely and civilly answered to the best of my ability to do so.
The following is basically a list of some items of interest regarding the continuing saga of SB 2109 which involves a deviously ambiguously constructed senate bill introduced by Senator Jon Kyl and Senator John McCain of Arizona. Reading the full text of the bill might drive you over the edge with its definitions and legalese language. Have your favorite painkiller/food comfort readily available as you explore the contents. I needed two rounds of ibuprofen, more coffee than normally consumed and a quantity of dark chocolate that I will not divulge in order to wade through the damn thing. Yes, I do believe it was written to be confusing and hard to understand–deliberately. That’s right deliberately written for difficult reading. And that makes the easily comprehensible sections even more suspect in my paranoid brainpan. Gee, there’s a reason for writing that way–usually it’s to hide things in plain sight. O yes, asses need to be covered legally and writing such as this is great for covering asses like McCain and Kyl. I am so glad I am NOT a journalist with aspirations of total objectivity. I’d fail utterly as I am well aware of my limitations in this regard. But I’m not a reporter or journalist—soooooo ON with this blog show!
Follow whatever catches your interest. Thank you for visiting my blogcasa.
Following excerpt from Anne Minard’s article at Indian Country Today Media Network. In depth piece complete with decent map and some very wishy-washy verbal moves by the likes of Stanley Pollack. Gee, I wonder what motivates folks to write hard to comprehend legislature? Could it be in order to make it harder for people to comprehend and therefore oppose such legislation? OO never! (sarcasm).
Senator Kyl acknowledges in a public video about the bill that, “Legally, the Navajo Nation and Hopi tribe may assert claims to larger quantities of water [than are outlined in the settlement] but … they do not have the means to make use of those supplies in a safe and productive manner. “
Becenti disputes that. “In reality we do have a lot of water projects that we were talking about 30 years ago,” he said. “But every time we approach the United States government to approve them, they won’t.”
And Jihan Gearon, executive director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition, says the provisions that help shore up the future of the Navajo Generating Station are a direct affront to her group’s efforts to build renewable energy capacity across the reservation.
“As an organization, our goal is to shut down the Navajo Generating Station and transition to renewable energy development,” she said. The settlement, on the other hand, appears to be “part of this big strategy to keep the Navajo Generating Station going at the lowest possible cost. These things that they’re stipulating have nothing to do with who should be offered which water. Instead, they support unsustainable development that’s happening in northern Arizona
Via Native News Network: People being turned away from meeting at Tuba City Charter Hall due to room for only 200 inside. Speakers were set up outside for those not able to enter. Click photo to visit Native News Network site. Apparently people were told to ask questions only in Navajo and some were not allowed to ask questions.
From National Native News:
The following is the schedule of public forums on the Little Colorado River Water Rights. All meetings are scheduled at 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the respective location indicated.
April 17 Greyhills High School Auditorium, Tuba City
April 18 Pinon High School Auditorium, Pinon
April 19 Ganado Chapter House, Ganado
April 20 Oak Springs Chapter House, Oak Springs
April 24 Leupp Chapter House, Leupp
April 25 Teesto Chapter House, Teesto
April 26 Fort Defiance Chapter House, Fort Defiance
Take note that there are 110 Navajo communities–not just these 7 picked for meetings.
If you click on the colored sections of the map at the right of the page it will pull up the communities in each area – http://www.nndcd.org/
Please meet some of the people who form the Black Mesa Water Coalition. Roberto Nutlouis and others attended the Indigenous Environmental Network Conference on the Rights of Mother Earth in April. They’re deep into water issues in Navajo and Hopi Country and creating Green businesses to support their traditional communities working to develop sustainable economies. Since they are a part of these communities they have a vested interest in their future. We are all a part of the community of Earth. So we are all connected. We are all related.
Kansas Expo Center, I Expocenter Drive, Topeka, Kansas
Noon – 3:30, 4- 8 pm.
Written comments due by Midnight of October 9, 2011.
Email: keystonexl-nid @ cardno.com
FAX: 206-269-0098
Snail Mail:
Alex Yuan, Keystone XL EIS Project, P.O. Box 96503-98500, Washington, D.C. 20090-6503
This pipeline will destroy 740,000 acres of irreplaceable Boreal Forest.
This dirty oil is intended for Export not domestic use in America.
This dirty oil will not create long term job opportunities.
This dirty oil has damaged the health, water, soil and air of Indigenous communities downstream of the Tar Sands.
The Keystone 1 Pipeline has already leaked 12 times.
Imagine the BP Oil Disaster in the Middle of America.
WRITE NOW!
For more information visit online The Indigenous Environmental Network, Tar Sands Action, 350.org, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, Peaceful Uprising
Visit www.tarsandsaction.org for more information on upcoming actions.
Clicking the photo will hopefully cyber surf you to 350.org.
“Thank you!” to ALL the people who were arrested, rallied and spoke out everywhere from Washington D.C. to Moscow, Idaho to Canada and around the world.
Love our Earth? Enjoy the great outdoors? Want a sustainable future for everyone? Then join Peaceful Uprising, myself and others to share solidarity with Tim DeChrisptohper AKA Bidder 70, on June 23, 2011. Peaceful Uprising currently has 39 events scheduled where folks are planning on going to their federal courthouse to display an orange solidarity banner and taking photos of it. I realize not everyone has the opportunity to engage in this visual show of solidarity for DeChristopher who faces imprisonment for taking action to save public lands during an illegal land auction. What did he do? He bid on the lands and then made arrangements to purchase them to save them from illegal gas and oil development. While Tim faces imprisonment for his actions the people who arranged the illegal land auction face NO accountability for the illegal auction. DeChristpoher’s motive for his actions was not allowed to be part of his defence. Now isn’t that odd—the legal system doesn’t care why Tim DeChristopher picked up an auction paddle and became Bidder 70. But the system is apparently quite angry that he did anything to foil an illegal auction that oil and gas companies would have benefitted from. Do we smell fracking here? Hmm? Surely not! The legal system is so ticked off it has delayed sentencing DeChrisptopher yet again! Apparently it got wind of the planned solidarity rally in Utah and decided to keep things “quiet” in order to not attract media coverage. Well, I seriously doubt there will be much media coverage on June 23. Hey, the mainstream press IGNORED the protests in Wisconsin for as long as possible. It knew of and ignored the War Protests in front of the White House where 144 people were arrested. Corporate media wants no part of people speaking truth to power as DeChristopher has done. So, it’s up to me–and you as the audience–you’re here reading, right?–to do the media’s job and spread the word about Tim DeChristopher as Bidder 70. Information is knowledge. Knowledge is power. Get informed. Get empowered. Empower others. Share solidarity on June 23 by spreading the news! Visit Peaceful Uprising to learn about the actions, trial, sentencing and events. There’s even a rally location map online. It’s just for the USA. Why don’t we make it GLOBAL? Get informed then decide for yourself to tweet/blog/text/facebook –or not– in Solidarity with DeChristopher on June 23. It’s about YOUR future too.
Peaceful Uprising, Defending a Livable Future through empowering NON-violent action.
For no particular reason I have not “done” blog awards in a long time. I know they’re useful for connecting folks to new blogcasas that they might not otherwise discover. They can be an interesting form of networking in blogland. I have appreciated each one that has come my way while blogging. I just often get caught up in using my blog time tossing out posts about other things that have caught my attention. So this is an effort to not forget about two recent awards from Jingle and eva626. Thanks to both of you for your kind words and thoughtfulness. In return I thought I’d create my own award visual using one of my energyscapes, “Touch,” for whomever decides to accept and post an award visual at their blogcasa. Hey, an artist is always on the prowl for exposure! LOL. So, if you see “Touch” making its way around blogland beyond here to new blogcasas that would be a way of tracing how far our connections have traveled. I hope others will reach out and touch others with “Touch.”
I adore sweet potatoes fried in olive oil then drizzled with honey and dashed with sea salt.
I enjoy driving old state and county roads rather than interstate highways.
I wish my car was a horse.
Wisteria is one of my favorite flowering plants.
I do not like wearing shoes.
Watching “wire in the blood” starring Robson Green on hulu is one of my vices.
I covet a large loom for weaving.
Okay–now here are some blogcasas I offer for your explorations–I’ve come across 7 and 15 blogs to be awarded. Does it really matter? Hopefully everyone will discover something new.
Clegyr Boia–mAgdA’s wild land art in Wales! O yeah.
Violating copyright births bad karma---imagine a mad hacker you'll never see coming--nor catch going. Respect = my work is my work and your work is your work.
Everything posted here is my work, copyrighted, unless otherwise noted. Comments aside. Om
KKFI
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Cemetery Hill, Wounded Knee, Mugged by a Squirrel for a plum, Ed's driving, Art for Art's Sake, painting nudes, Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, KKFI, Crazy Horse, Reading, Marry, Critical Path, Political Missionary, White Wolves, teaser (1), We Shall Remain Shallow, Winter Fox Frank, Wes Studi, The Only Good Indian, Spotted Elk, naked woman centered, devotees (Crazy Horse), Blue Heron, Critical Path, An Adaptable Woman, and other plums ripening and Tanka Bars.
Art Short Bull Gallery
Click Art Above
to see more of Arthur Short Bull's original Art online at www.dawnhawk.org. Clicking on other images on the sidebar will take you to other places or enlarge photos.
om mani padme hum jewel in the lotus wahupa qi prana universal life energy
Can’t get to Toto-Land? Exercise your right to write! Take a stand against Dirty Oil from the Tar Sands. Write Now.
September 19, 2011 at 9:18 pm (art, culture, education, environment, ethics, exploring interconnectedness, humor, journalism, life, nature, photography, politics, random, Writing)
Tags: art, black and white photography, business, Economy, email, events, evirnonment, Expo Center, fax, forest, Green, hearing, Indigenous, Kansas, Keystone, mail, nature, network, news, Oil, opinion, people, photography, Pipeline, politics, public, random, rant, snail mail, Tar Sands, Topeka, trees, write, Writing, written comments
"we see you" @ eva
Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline!
Save 740,000 Acres of Boreal Forest!
Say NO! to Dirty Oil from the Canadian TAR SANDS!
Public Hearing Sept. 26, 2011:
Kansas Expo Center, I Expocenter Drive, Topeka, Kansas
Noon – 3:30, 4- 8 pm.
Written comments due by Midnight of October 9, 2011.
Email: keystonexl-nid @ cardno.com
FAX: 206-269-0098
Snail Mail:
Alex Yuan, Keystone XL EIS Project, P.O. Box 96503-98500, Washington, D.C. 20090-6503
This pipeline will destroy 740,000 acres of irreplaceable Boreal Forest.
This dirty oil is intended for Export not domestic use in America.
This dirty oil will not create long term job opportunities.
This dirty oil has damaged the health, water, soil and air of Indigenous communities downstream of the Tar Sands.
The Keystone 1 Pipeline has already leaked 12 times.
Imagine the BP Oil Disaster in the Middle of America.
WRITE NOW!
For more information visit online The Indigenous Environmental Network, Tar Sands Action, 350.org, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, Peaceful Uprising
Kick our oil addiction!
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