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