Bates: Bennett Freeze Should be priority
Navajo Times/Krista Allen Homes like this one, in advanced stages of disrepair, are not uncommon on the former Bennett Freeze area.
TUBA CITY
PNavajo Times/Krista Allen
eeling stucco and rotting wood characterize this home on the former Bennett Freeze, where residents were not allowed to improve their homes for 40 years.
Eleanor Peshlakai wanted to shout from the auditorium seats last week to enlighten the 23rd Navajo Nation Council as to her difficult living condition in the former Bennett Freeze.
Because she is a wheelchair user, Peshlakai could not make her way down the stairs to speak before the delegates.
Peshlakai was one of many individuals who attended the meeting between the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and members of the Forgotten People at Greyhills High last Thursday where delegates talked about improving the living conditions for those living in the former Bennett Freeze, which consists of 1.5 million acres of land within Western Navajo.
Joe and Rena Ellis from Wildcat Peak, Ariz., Cecilia Joe from Coalmine Canyon, Ariz., and James Peshlakai from Cameron, Ariz. were some of the individuals who were allotted three minutes to speak before the delegates.
“I went through Bennett Freeze,” Joe said in Navajo. “We lived in portable shelters during that time.”
“We don’t want trailers!” Rena Ellis shouted as she talked about her Bennett Freeze experience.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow