 |
||
| Photo courtesy Karen Francis -- Navajo Nation councilmen joined other protesters outside the U.S. District Courthouse in Prescott, Ariz., Nov. 2 after tribes filed suit to halt the Coconino Forest Service and Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort from proceeding with a plan to use recycled wastewater for snowmaking on the sacred San Francisco Peaks. |
The action of the anti-gang unit of Flagstaff police came as area tribes awaited the decision of a federal judge in U.S. District Court in Prescott regarding a plan to use recycled wastewater for snowmaking on the peaks. The sacred mountain is revered by 14 area tribes, who gather medicine plants and hold healing ceremonies there.
The police raid on Coconino High School students came Dec. 7, the morning after Navajo, Hopi and other Indian youths held a candlelight vigil in downtown Flagstaff for prayer and the protection of the Peaks.
Coconino High freshman Janel Lomatewama was among those questioned by police. She said police asked the youths who their leader was.
''They made me feel like I'm doing something wrong, but all I'm doing is standing up for what I believe in.''
After Indian youths said they were harassed by police at their high school, Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. responded. Shirley told Indian Country Today that he would intervene on the students' behalf if needed.
Flagstaff police, however, said their anti-gang unit was holding a routine meeting at the high school when they noticed fliers announcing the showing of Klee Benally's film, ''The Snowbowl Effect.''
Lt. Randy Weems admitted that police removed the fliers. ''It was done for intelligence reasons, because they were promoting anarchy,'' Weems told the Arizona Daily Sun.
School administrators canceled a scheduled showing of the film. About 40 people, including Youths of the Peaks members, protested the film's cancellation outside the high school on Dec. 8.
When police removed the fliers, Principal David Roth told the media that the fliers were promoting propaganda. However, Roth later confirmed that the students had received permission to show the film and place fliers in the halls. Roth said parents would be contacted with an apology.
Flagstaff police called the youths ''anarchists,'' but the youths said this was not their intention. Navajo, Hopi and others Youths of the Peaks members said they are focused on serving in their home communities by chopping wood for the elderly in winter, providing free tutoring and other services.
Before the police raid, group co-founder Kelley Nez, Navajo, said, ''The Youths of the Peaks was formed to mobilize youth to take a stand for community, culture and the environment.
''We are empowering and strengthening young people to become leaders for our future and for our present.''
Youths of the Peaks said the group held a mobilization week, Dec. 5 - 11, to bring attention to the plan approved by the Coconino National Forest Service use recycled sewage water for snowmaking at the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort.
Indian youths said they wore camouflage during the vigils as a symbol, to demonstrate their invisibility to the community at large making the decision to desecrate San Francisco Peaks.
''This week is about inspiring youth to take a stand,'' said Alberta Nells of Youths of the Peaks. ''We are coming together in hopes of building a movement that provides healing and respect for our people, culture, heritage and land.''
Flagstaff police denied they were attempting to intimidate the youths.
© 1998 - 2005 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved