This is a little outdated, but it takes a while sometimes for me to get to
my computer and send this stuff out.
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The Hopi Tribe
Media Release
For immediate release: (March 26, 1997) For more information, contact Kim
Secakuku at (520) 526- 2265 or (520) 734-2441, extension 107.
HOPI CHAIRMAN CLARIFIES INFO ON UPCOMING LAND LEASE DEADLINE
KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz.--Hopi Tribal Chairman Ferrell Secakuku says that there
will be no immediate forced evictions from the Hopi lands come April 1,
1997. Information sent out by the Navajos opposed to the lease agreement
with the Hopi Tribe, claim that the Hopi Tribe will be moving quickly to
forcefully remove those Navajo families who do not sign the lease agreement
by the deadline which is set for March 31, 1997.
"Our first priority is to work with the Navajo families who want to sign the
lease agreement with the Hopi Tribe," said Chairman Secakuku. "The deadline
of March 31, 1997, is a deadline for the Navajo families to decide whether
they want to reside on Hopi land legally through a lease arrangement. Once
the accommodation process has been completed, then we will turn our
attention to those who remain on Hopi land illegally."
To accommodate the Navajo families who are not able to meet with the Hopi
Lands Office during the week day, the Hopi Tribe's Office of Hopi Lands will
be open on Saturday, March 29, from 8 to 5 p.m. and on Monday, March 31,
1997, until midnight for those eligible Navajo families who wish to sign a
lease.
The Hopi Tutsqua (Land) Team and myself, have been making visits to the
different areas of the Hopi Partitioned Lands to meet with those families
who wish to sign the lease," said Secakuku. "They have been very positive
meetings. There are Navajo families who want to live as good neighbors and
have signed a lease."
"Once the March deadline has passed, the Hopi Tribe will know how many
Navajo families are sincere about working with the Hopi Tribe," said Secakuku.
The accommodation agreement also provides the Navajo families, who sign a
lease with an option after the March 31st deadline, that within the
following three year period, they can still take their relocation benefits
and move, if they later decide that they don't like the lease arrangement.
The Hopi Tribe has stated numerous times that the Accommodation Agreement is
the best opportunity for the Navajo families to remain on Hopi land.
"It gives every eligible Navajo family residing on Hopi land a choice. They
have a choice to sign a lease to legally stay, or return to the Navajo
reservation or the new lands, through the Relocation process, or be
considered a trespasser by not signing the Agreement," said Secakuku. The
Navajo families have until midnight of the 31st of March to consider this
choice and to sign a lease agreement with the Hopi Tribe."