This one is even older, but it will help people who are seriously interested
to put things in perspective and understand the chronology.
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The Hopi Tribe
Media Release
For immediate release: (January 21, 1997) for more information, contact
Kim Secakuku at (520) 734-2441, extension 107.
Hopi Chairman explains "Land Settlement is Final"
Kykotsmovi, Ariz.--"Mediations have been over since 1994, there is nothing
more to mediate," said Hopi Tribal Chairman Ferrell Secakuku. "It was the
Navajo Nation who chose to pull out of Settlement discussion in December,
1994, However, despite the Navajo Nation's decision to remove themselves,
we still maintained good faith efforts to continue discussions with the
Navajo families resulting in an Accommodation Agreement with these families.
The Settlement Agreement is final with the passage of S. 1973 -- the
Navajo/Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1996," Secakuku explained.
Chairman Secakuku's statement comes in response to an announcement from
Navajo President Albert Hale, who is requesting a meeting with Chairman
Secakuku on Hopi land matters.
The Hopi Tribal Council accepted the Land Settlement Agreement in November,
1995, and directed the Chairman and the Hopi Tutsqua (Land) Team to begin
implementation of the Settlement Agreement. The issues President Hale says
are unresolved, have been decided and expressed to members of the Navajo
families and the Navajo Nation.
"The Hopi Tribe has been heading discussions with the Navajo families since
1991," said Secakuku. "The Hopi position through the Hopi Tribal Council,
has always been that no burials will be allowed on Hopi lands of Navajo
residents who wish to remain under the lease arrangement."
Hopi Chairman Secakuku has received some requests by Navajo families for
Hopi officials to reconsider their position. In response to those
requests, Secakuku has asked that these proposals be submitted to the Hopi
Tribal Council.
An agreement was made this past year on a fence on Star Mountain which
addressed Hopi range management concerns, as well as Navajo religious needs.
Members of all parties including the Navajo Nation and the Navajo families
participated in this agreement.
"The Settlement Agreement is final. The Settlement Agreement gives every
eligible Navajo family residing on Hopi land the choice to remain on Hopi
lands under a lease arrangement, or to return to Navajo lands within the
Navajo reservation. They have until March 31, 1997, to consider this
choice. If they feel they cannot sign because they do not agree with the
Hopi Tribe's position, then that is their choice not to do so. The Hopi
Tribe has always worked in good faith with the Navajo families and will
continue to do so with those who choose to live on Hopi lands under the
lease accommodation agreement," Secakuku concluded.