Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

VIDEO: Upset Navajos protest McCain Kyl water theft

By Paper Rocket Productions

SB2109 Video- Tuba City, AZ- McCain & Kyl from Paper Rocket Productions on Vimeo.

SB 2109 was introduced into congress on February 14, 2012

Over 300 Diné and Hopi people ( including traditional people and elders) upset by the latest colonial attack on indigenous peoples water rights, gathered to protest the visits of two US Senators (Jon Kyl & John McCain) to the Navajo Nation April 5, 2012.The people had gathered to say “NO DEAL” and “KILL THE BILL” to S2109, the bill that would allow for more water to flow into Arizona for the benefit of companies and urban growth.

Protesters chanted “Water Is Life”, “Free Indian Water Ends Now”, “Let the Water Flow”, “Sewage Water for McCain and Kyl”, other chants were said in Diné.

Protesters waited for the Navajo president Ben Shelly and US senators McCain and Kyl to exit the meeting in Tuba City, on the Navajo Nation. Earlier protesters marched in the streets of Tuba City, as Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly met with the Senators to discuss the further dismantling of Navajo and Hopi water rights. Navajo Nation president Ben Shelly announced to the public after the meeting that a deal has not been made yet. He stated that “the agreement will have to be agreed to by the Navajo People.” There are 7 town hall meetings scheduled to hear input from 7 of the 110 chapter houses (similar to districts) and council delegates. However, the Navajo people would like more than 7 town hall meetings because this bill affects more chapters including ones in New Mexico.


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Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.