Sacred sites need protection, preservation, panel told

Some Navajo landmarks are easily distinguishable as sacred, such as the four mountains that define and protect Dinétah.

But many others are much closer, and often are known only to those closest to them, as Chester Benally, 64, explained Tuesday in a hearing before the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission.

"The home, that's where our roots are. It's sacred, very, very sacred," said Benally, a Kirtland, N.M., resident who hails from Aneth, Utah.

He spoke at the last of five hearings held to help the commission identify and determine how best to protect Navajo sacred sites.

Four of the five commissioners were present for the hearing, which took place at the Shiprock Chapter House and attracted more than 50 people.

"We are not only here to listen, but to review recommendations (and) solutions from you," said Commissioner Steve Darden during his opening statement.

Commission Chairman Duane "Chili" Yazzie said the commission intends to recommend solutions to the Navajo Nation and eventually to present the findings to the United Nations General Assembly.

"One (objective) is to get an understanding of the status of sacred sites," Yazzie said, "from there, to get recommendations, get an general idea what we might do to better protect and preserve (sacred sites) on Navajo."

Yazzie said the hearings also were designed to help the commission develop a clearer idea of what makes a site sacred.

He added that the commission's definition of a sacred site is broad and includes most places with a cultural or historical context.

"We're talking about places where ceremonies may be conducted, where medicinal plants may grow. There are funeral sites, old Navajo habitation sites, petroglyphs, sites that are important and sacred for a reason," he said.

When it came to Benally's testimony, Yazzie agreed.

"I think that statement - that all life is sacred and that all elements of our life is sacred - this is correct," he said.

A total of 41 people testified at the hearings, and 165 people signed the attendance sheets, said Rachelle Todea, public information officer for the commission.

However, she added that actual attendance may have been higher because not everyone signed the sheet.

Shiprock's hearing had the largest turnout with 14 people testifying.

"The attendance at Shiprock was very good," Yazzie said, adding that other hearings averaged five or six testimonials. "I imagine that there would've still been some more, but we came to the end of our hearing time."

One of those testifying in Shiprock was Elouise Brown, president of Dooda Desert Rock.

She said that a person's health is sacred and should be considered a sacred site. She and others at the hearing accused the Navajo Nation government of ignoring health considerations when considering an economic development proposal.

"To me, the most sacred thing is our health. Which is more important? Money or health? I'm for economic development as long as it's healthy for the people and the environment," Brown said later.

She added that disregarding people's health for economic development could have deadly effects.

"You can't bring a person back. Once they're dead, they're dead," Brown said.

Benally told the commission that tribal officials turn a deaf ear when people oppose oil or gas drilling near home sites.

"Our Navajo Nation government, they don't seem to have the concern of the people when it comes to these sacred sites," he said. His statement was met with applause.

Through the hearings, Yazzie said preservation of sacred sites emerged as a priority concern.

"We heard some solid information about sacred sites and the desecration that's happening, the non-protection of them. I think a real critical thing we learned (is) what appears to be the absence of a good preservation plan by the Navajo Nation government," he said. "There needs to be development of a preservation plan."

Yazzie added that as the commission begins deliberations for its report, he hopes to establish more concrete criteria for determining a site to be sacred and who the responsible entities are for preservation of sacred sites.

However, Bruce Chavez of the Diné Medicine Men Association Inc. expressed concern that the hearing pulled in few young people.

"Where are the next generation? They should be concerned with the motherland," he said.

He added that part of the hearings also included teachings about how a Navajo person is connected to the land.

"The bottom line is how we are supposed to be attached to the land," he said.

Yazzie said traditional medicine people have thanked the commission for the hearings and have offered encouragement.

"That was really good. It felt good hearing that," he said.

But when it comes to Navajo people being attached to the land, Arnold Clifford, 43, of Beclabito, N.M., added this perspective:
"It's not that we inherited this land from our ancestors. It's that we're borrowing it from our children. You should look at it like that," he said.

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