The following is a short update on the deadline for Navajo families to
sign an agreement to remain on Hopi lands for a period of 75 years under
Hopi Jurisdiction. This update is issued in response to the number of
calls and e-mail requests received.
As of this morning, 62 full-time residents of HPL out of a total of 73
full-time homesites signed an accommodation agreement with the Hopi
Tribe. The latest figures as of this afternoon are not in yet. We expect
the full numbers by sometime this evening.
In short, this means that a majority of the residents on HPL have signed
the Accommodation Agreement with the Hopi Tribe.
Also, so far, there have been no incidents. In Flagstaff, Arizona there
was a protest. We have no information on how many people attended. A
friend from the Arizona Daily SUN told me that there weren't many who
came to the protest.
Members of the Navajo-Hopi Land Commission field staff inform us that
Navajo families are coming into the Hopi Tribal Offices slowly to sign
the agreement. One staff member said there was a long line of families
waiting to sign this afternoon. Members of the Land Commission staff are
out there to provide interpretation, and last minute assurances to
families who are signing the agreement.
Navajo President Hale was also out on HPL today.
It appears at this point that only eight to ten homesites will not sign
the agreement. A journalist from Life Magazine was out in Teesto,
Arizona. CNN was covering the issue and should have a story sometime
tonight. There is also an ABC news crew from Phoenix who spent an entire
day at the residence of 73-year old Alvin Clinton. Native America
Calling will also be airing a one-hour call in show tomorrow, Tuesday
from 11-12 p.m.
# # #