Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

The following message was received, Saturday, February 6, 1999.

"From: Bill Sebastian bill@ictcompress.com
Organization: Intelligent Compression Technologies, Inc.
To: Robert Dorman redorman@theofficenet.com
Subject: Posting with respect to Impoundments at Big Mountain

"Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999

"As a result of letters and appeals filed by Sovereign Dineh Nation, the national office of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs has become involved in the mediation of livestock impoundment issues affecting Dineh families residing on HPL. The national office of the BIA has emphasized that the purpose of the BIA livestock management policy is the protection and equitable distribution of a limited resource (range land) and not to compound the suffering of people already under pressure as a result of P.L. 93-531. Sovereign Dineh Nation is committed to the principle that the people affected by these policies be allowed direct participation in their formulation, and the national office of the BIA has expressed an understanding of the need for this type of communication and involvement.

"While no explicit directives have as yet been issued by the national office, the local BIA offices have been advised of the intent of the national office to resolve the conflict by peaceful negotiation, and we doubt that the local BIA office will undermine the mediation efforts by impounding livestock or otherwise provoking confrontations. Any such incidents should immediately reported to SDN.

"As always, the letters and phone calls by supporters of the Dineh families to various officials and agencies have play a helpful and significant role in the process.

"For Sovereign Dineh Nation,

"Bill Sebastian
Consultant for Legal Issues"

Commentary:

Although it states "we doubt that the local BIA office will undermine the mediation efforts by impounding livestock or otherwise provoking confrontations," that does not necessarily mean that the threat does not exist. The Dineh resisters have undergone almost continual harassment in one form or another to get them to leave their homeland.

Personally, I find the statement: "the purpose of the BIA livestock management policy is the protection and equitable distribution of a limited resource (range land) and not to compound the suffering of people already under pressure as a result of P.L. 93-531." particularly offensive. Anyone remotely familiar with the culture of the Dineh would realize that to subsist on the meager livestock quotas established is not possible. If the BIA were so concerned about the "distribution of a limited resource," they would not be cooperating with Peabody Western Coal Co., and the Hopi tribal government in perpetuating the rape of the ground upon which they walk and which has nourished their ancestors.

I call attention to the message's admonition: "Any such incidents should immediately reported to SDN." I would also ask that anyone knowing of any specific impoundment incidents to please notify me for posting to this list.