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SAVE THE PEAKS, STOP THE MINE!AN UPDATE ON THE SIERRA CLUB'S EFFORTS TO SHUT DOWN THE WHITE VULCAN PUMICE MINE ON THE SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS Summary of our Save the Peaks, "Restoration will Begin" concert held last night (March 1, 2001) in Flagstaff:
I must put a big thank you out to the young Navajo interns who put these events together; Hunter RedDay and Kelvin Long. While their funding has ended with this event, I hope that they will continue to find opportunities to learn about organizing.....They are off to a great start. I will be working on trying to find funding to keep these guys and other interns going and learning about organizing. On Thursday, March 1st, Kelvin Long organized a press conference within the White Vulcan Mine to help announce the official closure of the mine and the start of the reclamation process. Forest Service officials were on hand as well as a few of the miners. While the agreement fostered by former Sec. Babbitt is not perfect (it allows the miners to sell stockpiled pumice for up to 10 years), it is cause for celebration because the miners will take responsibility for the restoration process that will last for the next 5 years. Kelvin invited Frank Mapatis from Hualapai and Bucky Preston from Hopi to symbolically start the restoration process with prayers and songs. 10 Navajo and Hopi students from Winslow High School's American Indians Science and Engineering Society (ASIES) were on hand to witness this event. Kelvin wanted young and old to be on hand to come together across generations just as different cultures came together to fight for the Peaks.
While Kelvin and I were at the press conference, Hunter RedDay was helping set up the sound system at Prochnow Auditorium on the campus of Northern Arizona University. The doors opened at 6:30 and people kept coming in and in....over 650 people came to this free celebration concert. Native bands Burning Sky, Casper and the 602 Band, and Aztlan Underground. 8 Groups set up information tables in the lobby including:
A group of about 20 volunteers helped usher, backstage work, set up and clean up. We built a great relationship with the AISES chapter at NAU and they were inspired to organize more events like this on campus. On an interesting side note, the 10 AISES members from Winslow High School spent the afternoon with the NAU AISES members doing some "shadow mentoring." The high school kids spent the afternoon pairing up with one or two of the univiersity students to learn what college life is like. That night, they attended the concert. This was a big plus for these kids to have a full day like this! In between music, Frank Mapatis and Bucky Preston came out and told the crowd about their trip to Washington DC to convince govt. officials to shut down the mine. They sang traditional songs that brought everyone's hearts together. The crowd had such a positive feeling after their songs that I think they touched all people and hopefully will result in greater activism for all people in Northern Arizona. After Casper played, I got my chance at the mic and urged folks to get involved in protecting Mother Earth. I told them to heed one of my favorite quotes: If you don't like the news, go out and make your own." After thanking Hunter and Kelvin, Hunter spoke about the deeper meaning of the fight to close down the mine on the Peaks. I don't remember the exact quote, but he said something like, "now that shut down the mine on the peaks, we need to face the mine in me and the mine in you. That mine represented greed and intolerance for people's belief. We need to face that." Kelvin mentioned that he felt that we won one battle in a war that is 500 years old. Native people, he said, have been fighting to protect their lands and culture since Anglos first arrived here. Everyone mentioned the power of unification and standing together with one voice to protect the Peaks. I will never forget the feeling in that room! I would like to thank all those within the Sierra club who contributed to make this a successful campaign. I only hope that the new work we will be taking on under the Environmental Justice Program will meet with the same success and concrete victories experienced on the Peaks. In closing, I would like to share an email I got this morning. Never underestimate who you will touch with each LTE, press clipping, or each organizing event. I am proud to work for Sierra Club....I think we are making a big difference for Mother Earth...... Andy Bessler
Mr. Bessler, Hello, I live here in Flagstaff but am really from Leupp. In all honesty, I was not aware of the ongoing issue with the Peaks until very recently. When out of town on travel and am nearing home -- I always visually look forward to seeing the San Francisco Peaks. Once I see it, I am calmed by its magnificent beauty. I wanted to make sure you knew that I am one person who is very thankful for the free, alcohol/drug free entertainment last night and for the inspiration that has transpired within me. The celebration seemed to have a good turnout with alot positive energy. After hearing Burning Skys' beautiful music for the first time last night, I find myself thinking that I have finally found music I've been searching for. I'm proud today of what you and the many volunteers and native people have accomplished. In the future, I hope to be a more active participant in these serious issues that are facing the land we live on. Again, Thank you Charlene Thompson Previous Save the Peaks Updates Andy Bessler, Conservation Organizer, Save the Peaks Campaign Updated 03/02/01 Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd, Suite 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004, (602) 253-8633 |
This was the final EPEC event meant to bring closure to the Save the Peaks Campaign that shut down the White Vulcan Pumice Mine on the San Francisco Peaks. It was a day that I will remember for the rest of my life....Full of heart and inspiration that will hopefully bring activists out on many other issues.