The Sovereign Dineh Nation has been resisting relocation for over two decades. Already more than 14,000 Dineh have been relocated. Another 3000 remain on their ancestral homeland in Northern Arizona atop Black Mesa (aka: Big Mountain).

Now, for the first time since relocation began, an opportunity has arisen that could end this nightmare. The United Nations Human Rights Commission has begun an investigation of human rights abuses that is focused on Black Mesa. But your help is needed to bring attention to this important issue!

The Sovereign Dineh Nation is a recognized NGO at the United Nations and their struggle is supported by over 250 other NGOs including the World Council of Churches and the United Methodist Church.

For the latest updates, go to:
http://www.blackmesais.org/updates_voices.htm
Voice Mail is 928-773-8086

1-888-4-1 PRAYER

A look at the facts:

• Over 14,000 Dineh have been relocated since 1979.
• The primary relocation site is within the region of a 100,000,000 gallon radioactive spill.
• Forced livestock reductions (up to 95%) interfere with their food, wool (warmth) and trade.
• Hundreds of head of livestock have been poisoned (dead) by pollutants and "unknown" sources.
• Elderly people have been physically threatened and intimidated.
• Law enforcement "visiting" these elderly carry automatic weapons.
• The "Bennett" freeze makes it illegal to fix homes or build structures, including outhouses.
• It is illegal to gather wood. All heating on Black Mesa is from wood burning stoves.
• Over 20,000 archeological sites have been destroyed by strip mining.
• During a UN visit, 28 Anasazi burial sites were desecrated by coal mining operations.
• The Dineh who are resisting relocation live on the very grounds their ancestors are buried.
• Every well on Black Mesa has been drained of water by mining.
• Over 30 billion gallons of pristine aquifer has been slurried with coal to Nevada (275 miles) then dumped into the desert.
• Some elderly people must travel up to 50 miles to get drinking water.
• The author of the "Relocation Act", John Boyden, was also the attorney for the mining company and the tribal council at the same time.
• The tribal council whose law enforcement agency claims jurisdiction over Black Mesa has had 5 tribal presidents in six months time. Corruption runs throughout reservation government.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Write, Phone, Fax, Email!

President George W. Bush, United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1111 then "0" for a person
Fax: (202) 456-2461
Email: president@whitehouse.gov

Ask Clinton to issue an Executive Order forbidding any forced evictions of Dineh from the HPL in Arizona. Remind him that the next "deadline" is February 1, 2000 and that the Department of Justice could forcibly evict after then. Urge him to show his commitment to human rights here at home. This is his opportunity to leave a legacy of his presidency by righting the wrongs against American Indians, starting with the traditional Dineh.

Gale Norton, Secretary of the Interior
1849 C St. NW, Washington DC 20240
Toll Free: Fraud, Waste & Abuse: (800) 424-5081
Phone: (202) 208-7351
Fax: (202) 208-6956
Email: exsec@ios.doi.gov

Ask her to instruct the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation to not certify the relocation housing on the radioactive "New Lands." Ask that she direct the Secretary of Indian Affairs and BIA to create a voluntary livestock management plan with Dineh residents living on the HPL and the Hopi Tribal Council, and to cease forced impoundments.

Remind her, as Secretary of Interior, that his "trust responsibility" to American Indians includes preventing tragic forced evictions of Dineh who refuse to sign leases or relocate.