Aid for the Navajo of Big Mountain (Black Mesa)
Donation protected
This ongoing gofundme site will address ongoing needs in remote areas of the Navajo Nation, specifically on Hopi Partioned Land (HPL) including Big Mountain (Black Mesa), Cactus Vally, and Coal Mine Canyon, Arizona. These areas without running water and electricity are sorely in need of supplies including water, food, soap, sanitizer, depends, masks, paper goods, and dog food (for the dogs who herd the sheep, the primary food source for these people). The Navajo Nation is delivering some of these essentials to cities and chapter houses on the reservation, however those without transportation cannot access the distribution points. Our goal is to deliver directly to 25-30 elders and their families who have no outside assistance.
Marykatherine Smith, with assistance from Cheri Breeman, is currently hauling supplies and much needed food and water to the families of Big Mountain and HPL. Funds are greatly needed to purchase the supplies and pay for gas to haul water for livestock and washing from almost 30 miles away. This takes time and funds for gas, too, as the nearest water is 30 miles away. Cheri is coordinating use of these funds to purchase and deliver what these families need.
MaryKatherine is the daughter of Katherine Smith, one of the elders in the Academy Award winning documentary Broken Rainbow (link posted above). Katherine was a Navajo activitist, land defender and resister who refused to leave Big Mountain, AZ (Black Mesa), a remote area of the Navijo Nation, after the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974 was passed. This act forced over 14,000 to relocate from the area. She is written up in history books for defending her land and shooting over the heads of the fencing crew who blocked her from services delivered to the Navajo side of the fence.
Many families on HPL are now in their third decade of resisting relocation, attempting to continue their traditional lifestyles. These much needed supplies can help protect them and also help them to continue their way of life upon this sacred land in the future.
Marykatherine Smith, with assistance from Cheri Breeman, is currently hauling supplies and much needed food and water to the families of Big Mountain and HPL. Funds are greatly needed to purchase the supplies and pay for gas to haul water for livestock and washing from almost 30 miles away. This takes time and funds for gas, too, as the nearest water is 30 miles away. Cheri is coordinating use of these funds to purchase and deliver what these families need.
MaryKatherine is the daughter of Katherine Smith, one of the elders in the Academy Award winning documentary Broken Rainbow (link posted above). Katherine was a Navajo activitist, land defender and resister who refused to leave Big Mountain, AZ (Black Mesa), a remote area of the Navijo Nation, after the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974 was passed. This act forced over 14,000 to relocate from the area. She is written up in history books for defending her land and shooting over the heads of the fencing crew who blocked her from services delivered to the Navajo side of the fence.
Many families on HPL are now in their third decade of resisting relocation, attempting to continue their traditional lifestyles. These much needed supplies can help protect them and also help them to continue their way of life upon this sacred land in the future.
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa White
Organizer
Dillon, CO
Cheri Breeman
Beneficiary