Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Statement on Acquittal by President Begaye of Ruth Benally, Pauline Whitesinger, Joella Ashkie, Elvira Horseherder, and Louise Benally of Trespass Charges in Hopi Tribal Courts.

Washington, D.C. – On Monday, March 4, 2002, a Hopi Tribal Court judge dismissed charges that had been brought against Ruth Benally, Pauline Whitesinger, Joella Ashkie, Elvira Horseherder and Louise Benally for trespass associated with the Sun Dance ceremony this past July on the Hopi Reservation.*

It is a tribute to the integrity of the Hopi Court System that, in a case that has received a lot of public and media attention, it viewed the case objectively, addressed the charges on their merits, and ruled in favor of the five Navajo defendants. This decision is encouraging for those Navajo families who live under Hopi jurisdiction on the Hopi Partitioned Land. It is my hope and expectation that the Hopi Court system will continue to view disputes involving Navajo families with objectivity and fairness.

I wish to commend the defense attorneys who represented these five individuals. I would also like to thank the Navajo Nation Council, who supported Navajo Nation funding of the defense costs for the five Navajo defendants.

It is important to build a strong relationship between the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe, built on mutual respect, the rule of law, and fundamental principles of fairness and compassion. This decision marks a step in the right direction for this effort.