Flagstaff, AZ – On the weekend before Thanksgiving, horseback riders from throughout the Navajo Nation, Utah and Flagstaff came together to bring attention to the ongoing struggle to protect the Sacred San Francisco Peaks.
The riders began their significant two-day journey at Gray Mountain, AZ.
“We are carrying a message of dignity and respect”, said Clayson Benally, a volunteer with the Save the Peaks Coalition. “This ride is a prayer that the city of Flagstaff and the Forest Service will change their minds about desecrating the Sacred San Francisco Peaks and heal the divisions of these communities!”
A plan to expand Arizona Snowbowl ski resort and use treated sewage effluent on the sacred Peaks has been approved by the Coconino Forest Service despite negative impacts the development would have on Native American Cultural and spiritual practices, the environment and community health. The City of Flagstaff is planning on selling the reclaimed wastewater to Snowbowl.
The ride began with a Navajo prayer and ended the next evening with prayer.
“These actions are done in a spiritual manner because this is an issue of protecting a spiritual place.” Said long time Flagstaff business owner and traditional practitioner, Franklin Kahn. More than thirteen Native American Tribes hold the San Francisco Peaks as a holy site that is integral to their ways of life and ongoing cultural customs.
The horseback ride took two days to reach their destination on the Southern side of the San Francisco Peaks where a crowd of many friends, family and supporters gathered to meet the weary riders. “ I am proud of my daughter for the important message that she and the riders are bringing to people”, said Mary Lou Nells, mother of 16-year-old Rider Alberta Nells. “I hope that people realize how crucial it is to our culture and environment to protect this mountain.”
Dressed in traditional Navajo skirt and attire, Alberta Nells of Youth of the Peaks rode alongside her father as cars and trucks sped by honking their horns in support. Many of the trading posts along the way invited the riders for coffee and water for the horses in support of the nearly 30-mile horseback ride.
“We have received overwhelming support for our ongoing struggle to protect this Sacred Mountain.” Said Jeneda Benally of the Save the Peaks Coalition. “It’s important for everyone to recognize that this is not over and that they can still get involved to Save the Peaks. We are not just waiting for the court decision, our prayers will continue that the Courts and the City of Flagstaff will do the right thing.”
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is currently pending a decision that could protect the San Francisco Peaks from the use of reclaimed wastewate
