October 1, 2009
Editor:
Scott Canty has crossed the ethical line when he call his clients, the Hopi people, who are saving water and preventing destructions of archaeological and burial sites within Peabody leaseholds “shills” for outside conservationist groups.
All Hopi people, including members of the Council who have pride in calling themselves Hopi are conservationists and environmentalists. We have a covenant with Ma’sau to help steward (take care of) the land.
Canty is the General Counsel to the Hopi Tribe and should not be labeling H.O.P.I., Black Mesa Trust, Hopi farmers, traditional leaders, religious leaders and hundreds of individuals supporting BMT as decoys for outside organizations.
Canty seems to think we are incapable of thinking and making decisions on our own. It is a racist comment and unethical coming from a lawyer and should not be tolerated.
Canty has now insulted every Hopi and should be considered “persona non grata”. The Hopi Tribal Council should not be paying Canty over $100,000 plus generous benefits to insult us.
The unusual drought we are experiencing is caused by the way we are misbehaving. Our leaders no longer practice what Hopi means. We are wasting water. We are allowing our coal to be burned and turned into toxic waste. This is a major cause of global warming that is causing draught, and beginning to turn the world “upside down” as our ancestors prophesized if we abuse the land.
Vernon Masayesva
P.O. Box 33
Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
(928) 255-2356