The law P.L. 93-531 was passed in 1973 without our knowledge. These laws were passed without our consent or understanding. And our children, even though we were raising them here, we were told they were no longer residents here. They threw our children out like trash. So, as for me, from where I stand, I believe that the land was stolen. Our livestock are stolen. Even our very being is being stolen. They threaten to throw us off the land. They put fear in our hearts, and this is the way they are killing us. This land that I am sitting on, this earth here, there are many minerals underneath that could bring wealth to people. That is why they crush me with their laws to tell me that I do not belong here.....
Original Title
7-29-1996 Katherine A. Smith for Congressional Record
The law P.L. 93-531 was passed in 1973 without our knowledge. These laws were passed without our consent or understanding. And our children, even though we were raising them here, we were told they were no longer residents here. They threw our children out like trash. So, as for me, from where I stand, I believe that the land was stolen. Our livestock are stolen. Even our very being is being stolen. They threaten to throw us off the land. They put fear in our hearts, and this is the way they are killing us. This land that I am sitting on, this earth here, there are many minerals underneath that could bring wealth to people. That is why they crush me with their laws to tell me that I do not belong here.....
The law P.L. 93-531 was passed in 1973 without our knowledge. These laws were passed without our consent or understanding. And our children, even though we were raising them here, we were told they were no longer residents here. They threw our children out like trash. So, as for me, from where I stand, I believe that the land was stolen. Our livestock are stolen. Even our very being is being stolen. They threaten to throw us off the land. They put fear in our hearts, and this is the way they are killing us. This land that I am sitting on, this earth here, there are many minerals underneath that could bring wealth to people. That is why they crush me with their laws to tell me that I do not belong here.....
Katherine A. Smith
PO Box 259
Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
July 29, 1996
For the Congressional Record:
‘My name is Katherine Smith, Iam 79 years old. [live here under Big Mountain. My
ancestors have always been here from time immemorial. My grandmother and
grandparents went to Fort Sumner on the long walk. We have always been here before the
‘Long Walk and afterwards. it has been over a thousand years now. Today, I am still here
and my children are here also.
Here in Big Mountain we have many prayers that tie us to the land. This place that we
call Big Mountain, itis our life. It is not just Big Mountain, we also hold the trees, the dirt
from the earth, and even the wind in our prayers. These trees and the plants are our
medicine, we live in this environment. The Holy Ones speak to us through these entities,
so this is where our prayers lie,
The sheep, the horse, cate, dogs, goats, and even cats are a part of our daily lives, they
exist also in our prayers. We do not have jobs, this is our life.
Even the comfield, this is a big part of our lives. Today, we cannot plant without the
Hopi and BIAs complaint. We cannot build a dam for water and we cannot haul wood for
fire.
‘The law is something that we do not understand. We do not speak English, we have
never gone to school. So, I do not understand why they use 2 language and a way of life
we do not understand to create laws that work against us.
From our history, our grandmothers and grandfathers have lived in shelters build of
wood from the forests nearby here. But, today these forests are closed to us. We cannot
build a home. or even a fire sometimes.
‘The BIA impounds our horses, cattle, mules, goats. and sheep. They steal them from
us.
‘The law PL 93-531 was passed in 1973 without our knowledge. These laws were
passed without our consent or understanding. And our children, even though we were
raising them here. we were told they were no longer residents here. They threw our
children out like trash.
So, as for me, from where I stand, I believe that the land was stolen. Our livestock are
stolen. Even our very being is being stolen, they threaten to throw us off the land. ‘They
put fear in our hearts, and this is they way they are killing us. This land that I am sitting
on, this earth here, there are many minerals undemeath that could bring wealth to people,
‘That is why they crush me with their laws to tell me that I do not belong here.
The Navajo Tribe no longer considers me as 2 member, they tell me that this land
belongs to the Hopi, that I have to be a Hopi citizen, But, this land belongs to the Dine.
‘The Hopi Tribe does not protect me or looks after my interest, they only steal my land. No
Hopi person lives here, As far as I can remember my chidhood, no Hopi has ever lived
here.
And my relatives, this law has taken my family away like my brothers and sisters.
Now I'am here alone. ‘They tell me that my children cannot be residents here. I am left
alone to haul water and hay for my sheep, cattie and horses. I have to haul water from
Rocky Ridge, AZ which is 18 miles away, and hi costs alot of money and hardship on
my vehicle.Page 2 of 2
‘When they impound our livestock, they costs hundreds of dollars to retrieve. So. if
this land is taken away from me. there are many costs to bear, ‘We have pay for the land
lease. the sheep, grazing land, and comfields. I cannot afford this.
‘We have many friends and supporters from the Anglo community who are no longer
allowed to come on to Hopiland. ‘They helped us with food [Adopt A Native Elder), and
medicine.
For these reasons, I am resisting. I was bom here. Big Mountain is my mother, and
that is why I will remain. I cannot just walk away from my mother. She is the one who
will decide when itis time for me to return to her, this is when I will leave.
Sincerely,
Katherine A. Smith
Big Mountain
Cottenive ehh Srnrth