Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

August 8, 2011

Can't stop 'em now: San Francisco Peaks defenders protest at US Forest Service



Can't stop 'em now!

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Photos: Youths of the Peaks

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Defenders of San Francisco Peaks are rallying outside the US Forest Service here Monday afternoon, protesting US Forest Service involvement in the desecration of sacred San Francisco Peaks by the Snowbowl Ski Resort. The resort plans to use recycled sewage water to make snow for tourists. The Peaks are sacred to 13 area American Indian Nations. Medicine men gather healing plants here and conduct ceremonies on the Peaks.
Six people were arrested during a march on Sunday, including Klee Benally, Navajo, and Alex Soto, O'odham. On Monday at dawn, another eight people locked themselves to concrete barrels and blocked construction workers on San Francisco Peaks. They have been arrested and are awaiting bail. Already, pipeline construction has resulted in the clearcutting of old growth forests. Native Americans are urging a boycott of the Snowbowl.
Many stores and hotels in Flagstaff use Native American images, jewelry and culture for profit. Native Americans are asking that their culture and traditions be respected.
See Censored News for articles and photos:
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Global supporters
Please translate the articles and use the photos on Censored News, with author and photographer credits, in your publications, while urging a boycott of Snowbowl Ski Resort!
  • Let the skiers know that not only is the Snowbowl Ski Resort exploiting Native culture while destroying the sacred San Francisco Peaks, but the Snowbowl is making it necessary for Native American youths to be arrested in defense of their sacred mountains and way of life.

  • 1 comment:

    Garris Tacheene said...

    Just let us have this. It is ours. I will be damned if i will have to sit here and watch these kids today take in this glorified society of today while their culture is right there being desecrated by foreign hands. Hands that know nothing of living with the earth but always working against it and themselves. i wont sit by and have the next generation ask us why, why did we just let it happen? this is not just a mountain. its the spirit of a people once free.