Please attend these upcoming USDA listening sessions on protection of Sacred Places.
There was about 45 people in Window Rock when I showed up for the afternoon part of the session today.
It felt great to see many spiritual leaders and elders directly addressing the federal government's mismanagement and lack of understanding for sacred places.
Two issues were addressed very clearly, protection of Mt. Taylor from uranium mining threats and San Francisco Peaks from Snowbowl's threat of snowmaking with sewage water and expansion.
This is a great opportunity to directly address the agency that is responsible for Forest Service land management decisions.
There are several questions attached that you can address at the hearing style sessions.
I spoke today and stated that it was difficult to believe that this would be a meaningful process when the USDA is currently in court aggressively defending the agency's initial decisions to desecrate the San Francisco Peaks.
I urged the agency, at the least, to administratively hold the decision to allow and and all components of Snowbowl's development plans until this listening session process is complete and it's conclusions are rendered.
There were also calls made by other individuals to end Snowbowl's permit, which is something well within the power of the USDA to do.
It would be great to have more young folks at these next sessions.
What action if any will come of these sessions? Let us determine that and hold the USDA accountable if they are only using these sessions to diffuse the unrest that their lack of responsibility and action for protecting our holy sites has brought forth.
In respect,
Klee Benally
Topics to Cover…
§ What has your past experience been with the Forest Service on the
management and preservation of sacred sites?
§ Tell us about current interaction with the Forest Service on management and
preservation of sacred sites, including the effectiveness of existing laws and
regulations…
§ How can the Forest Service do a better job addressing sacred site issues? Let
us know what you would like changed, including; what regulations and/or
policies to change to better address sacred sites…
§ Describe how you would like us to consult with you on the draft report to the
Secretary… How would you like to receive the draft report?
§ What HAS worked and is working to protect your sacred sites? Have any
tools, or procedures been effective that you would like to see continue?
§ Discuss any other issues regarding sacred sites with the USDA and
FS
March 15, 2011 - Coal Mine Canyon Chapter House @ 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Coal Mine Canyon Chapter House
Directions: West 139 miles from Window Rock on Hwy 264 to BIA Indian Route 6710
From Tuba City go 15 miles east on Hwy 264 to BIA Indian Route 6710
March 16, Shiprock, NM @ 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Shiprock Chapter House
Directions: East from the junction of Hwys 491 & 64 in the town of Shiprock, 500' east from the junction on your way towards Farmington. The Chapter House is on the north side of the Hwy.
From: Mae H Franklin <mfranklin@fs.fed.us>
Date: Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Subject: Navajo Nation Sacred Sites Listening Sessions
To:
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has directed the Forest Service to work with the USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) to review existing laws, regulations, and policies and examine their effectiveness in ensuring a consistent level of protection for American Indian and Alaska Native sacred sites located on National Forest System lands. Secretary Vilsack asked the Forest Service to consult with Tribal leaders to determine how the Agency can do a better job addressing sacred site issues while simultaneously balancing pursuit of the Agency’s mission to deliver forest goods and services for current and future generations.
The Secretary has asked the Forest Service and USDA OTR to provide a final report and recommendations for sacred site policy changes and proposed policy language by November 2011, following the conclusion of Tribal consultation. Information on the policy review can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/
The following Sacred Sites Listening Sessions have been scheduled on Navajo Nation.
March 14, 2011 - Navajo Nation Museum @ 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Navajo Nation Museum,
Highway 264 and Post Office Loop Road, Window Rock AZ, 86515
March 15, 2011 - Coal Mine Canyon Chapter House @ 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Coal Mine Canyon Chapter House
Directions: West 139 miles from Window Rock on Hwy 264 to BIA Indian Route 6710
From Tuba City go 15 miles east on Hwy 264 to BIA Indian Route 6710
March 16, Shiprock, NM @ 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Shiprock Chapter House
Directions: East from the junction of Hwys 491 & 64 in the town of Shiprock, 500' east from the junction on your way towards Farmington. The Chapter House is on the north side of the Hwy.
Noon Meal will be pot-luck style.
In partnership with Dine Hataalii Association.
Not able to attend? You can still get your comments in. See attachment.
Mae Franklin
Navajo Tribal Liaison- Kaibab National Forest &
Grand Canyon National Park
SEPM -American Indian
Box 863
Cameron, AZ 86020
Phone: 928-679-2037
Fax: 928-679-2036
mfranklin@fs.fed.us
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