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Ceremony gives thanks<br>for defeat of Prop 400

TUSAYAN — On a quiet, sunny morning last week in the forest north of Tusayan, a celebration took place. Native Americans, war veterans and area residents gathered to offer thanks for the defeat of Proposition 400 and Canyon Forest Village at the polls.

James Peshlakai, a noted Navajo community leader, led the way up a hill not far from where the CFV development would have been built. There, he chanted in his native language, renewing vows with Mother Earth. The relationship with the land is sacred to the Navajos and other Native Americans.

Rex Tilousi of the Havasupai tribe takes part in the event.

"We help each other live," Peshlakai said. "We use each other for food, medicine, tools and we give each other spiritual support ... It's our sacred duty to renew these vows."

Rex Tilousi of the Havasupai tribe also took part in the ceremony.

"Plants, wildlife, air, water — these are the things we were told to take care of," Tilousi said. "It is a beautiful day. I give thanks to the Great Spirit and to those living on Mother Earth."

Daniel Kee, representing the Native American Church of Navajoland in Tuba City, thanked those who supported the point of view opposing the development.

"We need to think about some of the things we want to cherish, to continue on for our children," Kee said. "We don't want to do whatever other people want. Thank you for standing by and being with us."

Navajo veterans also took part in the ceremony, holding up flags of the United States, the state of Arizona and the Navajo Nation. Peshlakai and Tilousi both renewed allegiances to the flag.

"A lot of our people died in foreign places across the ocean away from relatives," Peshlakai said. "We're still here protecting what we died for."

Bertha Benally of Tuba City, wife and mother of veterans, commented in that same vein.

"I thought and felt our military fought for the land to keep, not give to foreigners," Benally said, referring to the foreign investors of the CFV project.

The Navajo reservation vote was thought to be a key area in the Proposition 400 outcome. Although a few precincts passed the CFV vote by slim margins, the high majority opposed the development.

"We encouraged people to vote no," said Benally, who went on the radio to urge a no vote in both English and Navajo. "Some people told us they only heard our voice and decided to vote no."

Chris Thurston, Tusayan businessman, was moved by the ceremony, as was many other onlookers.

"It's been a long time, eight years, more than that if you count when the EIS (environmental impact statement) process started," Thurston said. "Through the help of our neighbors, we never would've defeated this thing. It feels good to be on the right side."

Eric Guiessez, longtime Tusayan resident, offered his thanks for the events of the preceding week.

"What brought us here today is not because of some unseen reason," he said. "It's what we believe in. We're here, it's a wonderful day, we have a consensus. Let's work together for the future."

Benally summed up the ceremony with a comment about her relationship with the land.

"We're happy that these things have taken place," she said about the vote. "I'm wearing my traditional moccasins because I wanted my footprint in this land here. That's my thank-you to Mother Earth."


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