Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Roberta Blackgoat (1917-2002) passed away at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2002, in San Francisco, California.

To the Family, Relatives and Friends of Roberta Blackgoat

Our prayers go out to the family and relatives of grandma, mother, aunt and sister - Roberta Blackgoat. Our network of many tribes - old and young - men and women - were blessed with knowing the beauty of Roberta Blackgoat. Our hearts are touched with sadness as we bid farewell to her.

Roberta provided our network with her wisdom and provided us strength to stand strong in protecting the sacredness of our Earth Mother. Her years of sacrifice in the defense of the sacred female mountain called Black Mesa (Dzilijiin) from coal mining and in the resistance against forced relocation will be remembered for generations to come. This memory will continue to fuel the sacred fire that burns in our hearts to defend our lands and fight for the rights of all Indigenous peoples.

May Roberta Blackgoat rest in beauty on that sacred altar of her land.

On behalf of the Indigenous Environmental Network, staff, board and affiliates.

Tom Goldtooth,
Indigenous Environmental Network
P.O. Box 485
Bemidji, Minnesota 56619 USA
Phone: 218-751-4967
FAX: 218-751-0561
E-mail: ien@igc.org

The Memorial Service for Roberta Blackgoat will be on Saturday, 5/3/02, at 10:00 a.m. It will be held in Tuba City at either the Chapter House/Community Center or at the Two Grey Hills High School. Food contributions for the potluck meal following the service are most appreciated.

Please note: flower arrangements have been taken care of.

However, those wishing to contribute are encouraged to send donations to the Wells Fargo Bank Routing # 122105278, Acct# 4460919884 c/o Sheilah Keith. Monies will be used to help cover transportation and funeral expenses.

Our family wishes to thank all individuals and organizations that have extended their condolences and or have forwarded monetary contributions. Our family has been overwhelmed with phone calls worldwide, and while we have been appreciative of each and every call, we are equally overwhelmed with the task of making final arrangements for our mother and grandmother. We hope you will understand our inability to return every phone call.

We welcome the public in joining us as we honor the life of our beloved mother and grandmother.

Nitsaa goh 'Ahehee',

Sheilah Keith, Bessie Manygoats, Danny Blackgoat, Harry Blackgoat, and Viki Blackgoat and their children

People are also sending letters and/or cards to the Navajo Times, c/o Marley Shebala. P.O. Box 310, Window Rock, AZ 86515. Phone: 928-871-6641; FAX: 928-871-6409.