Honor Native
Rights Auction
Questions?
Contact Kathy Gallagher at (928) 774-0653, ext. 4806 or kathyg@dnalegalservices.org
About the Case
A ski resort located on the sacred San Francisco
Peaks in Northern Arizona wants to make artificial machine-made snow using
100% reclaimed sewage effluent. If allowed, this will be the first and
only ski resort in the world to do so. For Native Americans who live in
the region, putting tainted water on this sacred land desecrates the land
itself and violates traditional spiritual tenets and practices. The Peaks
are home to Native American deities, medicinal plants and untold numbers
of blessing, healing and worship ceremonies practiced by untold generations
of traditional healers. The U.S. Forest Service, who leases land to the
ski area, has given its permission to use the tainted water, showing a
callous disregard for deep-rooted spiritual beliefs of at least 13 Native
American Tribes living in the region.
DNA’s Role
DNA People’s Legal Services filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Navajo
medicine man, a Hopi Spiritual Leader, and the Hualapai Tribe, to prevent
snowmaking with reclaimed sewage effluent and preserve the spiritual integrity
of the San Francisco Peaks for all current and future generations of Native
Americans. Learn More
Next Step
On January 11, 2006 the U.S. District Court, District
of Arizona, ruled against DNA’s clients and six other Plaintiff
Tribes. The next step in the process is an Appeal to the U.S. Court of
Appeals, Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco.
Impact – A Court
Case of First Impression
The ultimate ruling in this case of first impression will influence how
other Courts throughout the Country will decide Native American spiritual
practice issues in the future. If the case is ultimately lost, Native
Americans may be left with no legal protection of their ancestral, cultural
and spiritual practices and Sacred Sites.
Please Help!
DNA's
effort to protect Native American righs is ongoing, as is our need for
your continued support.
DNA cannot accept payment from clients for our services.
We rely on your support!