For the whole story about my experiences in the Hopi land in 1976-77, why I went there and how those experiences set the course of my life since then, see:
http://global-emergency-alert-response.net/history.html
Statement to the President of the United States
by the
spokesmen for the Traditional, Religious Hopi Leaders.
Here is the retyped text of an October 1977 Hopi letter
to the US President reporting about the traditional
religious leader's message, about the government
imposed Hopi Tribal Council implemented by force
pursuant to the 1934 Indian Claims Reorganization Act,
and about coming perilous times because of mistakes.
This document contains not only important historical
information of legal significance today, but it also gives
insights into how the traditional Hopi culture of peace
and nonviolence operates, ie, an historical precedent
and example from which may be learned something to
help implement the United Nations mandate per its
2001-2010 International Decade of Creating a Culture
of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World.
Statement to the President of the United States by the
spokesmen for the Traditional, Religious Hopi Leaders.
-----begin retyped letter text
Earl Pela
P.O. Box 72
Second Mesa, AZ. 86043
October 19, 1977
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Mr. President:
We address you as a representative of all citizens
of the United States in a final attempt to establish
right relations between our religious, traditional,
sovereign nation and yours. We are the spokesmen
and clan guardians for the Kikmongwi and other
leaders of the highest religious societies of the village
of Shungopavi, in the Hopi Nation. Our Hopi Kikmongwis
have appealed to the Presidency and government agencies
many times in the past, but their earnest pleas, statements,
invitations and warnings have not received any reciprocally
thoughtful response.
As our prophecies have foretold, we now find we
have reached very perilous times. Our way of living
in harmony with the earth and all other life forms
and our way of holding our land in common and in
trust for all people and all future generations is in
immediate danger of extinction. As a result of the
Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, a "Hopi Constitution"
was drawn up by B.I.A. anthropologists and aides and
imposed upon the Hopi people through a fraudulent
election which has never been investigated. It is
important for you to understand that we already
have our own form of government and decision-making,
and that your "democratic" way of majority rule is alien to us.
Also foreign to us is your "separation of church and state".
Our Hopi way is to recognize the Great Spirit as our
supreme leader in all facets of life. We do not divide
God and man, religion and politics. All aspects of our
relationship to land and life are intertwined.
As a result of the “Hopi Constitution”, a “Hopi Tribal Council”
was created. During its first year of operation, representatives
were sent from two of the traditional villages to determine if
this council would be operating as promised, by consulting with
the Kikmongwis before making decisions affecting the Hopi
people. When it was discovered that they were to function
basically as a branch of the United States Government, in effect
a puppet government, those villages withdrew their representatives.
The “Hopi Tribal Council” has never been a legally constituted body
according to their own constitution since 1937. However, it is
through that body that we are now brought to these critical times.
Their attorney and main advisor, since 1951, has been Mr. John S.
Boyden, whose contract has never been authorized by the Kikmongwis.
In all actions, legal and political, that the council has undertaken in
the name of the Hopi Tribe they have not had the authorization of
the true and rightful Hopi leaders. It is now clear to us that the
Tribal Council, in concert with Boyden, have conspired to divide,
fence, and sell this land, our birthright, and to profit thereby. To
us, it is unthinkable to give up control of our sacred lands. We have
no way to express exchange of sacred lands for money. The Hopis
never gave authority to anyone to dispose of our lands and heritage
and religion for any price, and never will. The Hopi were given
special guidance in caring for our sacred lands so as not to disrupt
the fragile harmony that holds things together. We received these
lands from Great Spirit and we must hold them for Him, as a steward,
a caretaker, until He returns.
Now we have been made fully aware that their ultimate intention
is to strip the Kikmongwis and traditional, religious leaders of all
power and authority over our land and life. It is felt by most of
the Hopi elders and people that something must be done now
to stop the dictatorial manner in which the “Tribal Council” has
been operating. The views, opinions, and wishes of the traditionally
established village people have been totally ignored and this is a
violation of freedom of speech and religion, our basic human rights.
We are writing to you now in respect to, and support of,
our Kikmongwis and Traditional, Religious Leaders and
their many patient and peaceful appeals. We feel another
communication from them should not be necessary.
Further, we write you because you have often expressed
your commitment to human rights and protection of the
environment and we find our rights, indeed our very existence
as a people, on the land, in jeopardy. We would like to remind
you of a promise made by your predecessor Harry Truman, in 1946,
when he said, "...It would be a miracle if...we had not made
some mistakes and occasionally failed to live up to the precise
terms of our treaties and agreements with some 200 tribes.
But we stand ready to submit all such controversies to the
judgment of impartial tribunals. We stand ready to correct
any mistakes we have made." We know there have been
many treaties made between the United States and Native
Peoples, a treaty with the Navajo Nation and a treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo made between the United States and
Mexico in 1948. We want to know if you are still honoring
these treaties. Because it is within the authority of your
office to correct any unjust laws and acts we urgently
request that you meet with the Traditional Hopi Leaders,
and in addition, call for a Congressional investigation into
all U.S. Government dealings with the Hopi People.
We feel that for a full understanding of our plight, the
nature of our religious society, and the basis upon which
our Kikmongwis' authority rests, and as a fulfillment of
our prophecy, you must come to our villages in person
to meet with our leaders and our people. As our
Kikmongwis are concerned about all Hopi people
and you are concerned for all your people, it is important
that you meet together now to prevent the dangers we
foresee for this land and life if things are not worked out.
We ask that you deal honorably with us and see that
justice is done. The hour is very late.
We, the spokesmen and clan guardians for the true
traditional Religious leader, Kikmongwi Kewanyama,
stand bound together, state and affirm the above
and apply our signatures below:
[signed by these leaders indicated thusly:]
Harold Koruh
Sun Clan
One Horn Society
Otis Polelonema
Snow Clan Wuwuchim Society
Advisor to Flute Ceremonial Leader
Herbert Talaheftewa
Forehead Clan
Two Horn Society
Earl Pela
Blue Bird Clan
Wuwuchim Society
Spokesman for Kikmongwi Kewanyama
-------end retyped 4 page Statement to the President of the United States by the
spokesmen for the Traditional, Religious Hopi Leaders, from a copy provided by
Thomas Banyacya, posted at/as:
https://www.angelfire.com/on/GEAR2000/Hopi77-3.html
Above is among newspaper articles and other important
global peace mission documents indexed from listing page:
https://www.angelfire.com/on/GEAR2000/list.html
6/12/2006 8:16 PM PDT