Water and Disneyland

The snow falling outside my window after weeks of temperatures in the 70s and 80s reminds me of the water fight going on now between the local tribes and the federal government.  At stake is the use of the Little Colorado river that flows through the northern part of the state.  The tribal leaders have negotiated an agreement but the the tribal members feel differently.  Last week tribal members surrounded a car with the two US senators while they were attending a meeting in Tuba City about the agreement. Now tribal leaders state they will put the water rights treaty to a vote of the tribal members.  Many here are very suspicious of any treaties as they have watched so many of their ancestral rights given away for centuries. It is difficult for many to see the water they use for farms and livestock going to keep the golf courses in Phoenix green.

The other big issue going on is a proposal the Navajo have to build a tram and amusement park at one end of the Grand Canyon. Although Micky and Minnie will not be there it will still attract many tourists who come by in the summer.  Currently the Hopi and the National Park Service are opposed and although it would be on Navajo land the impact for others would be felt by many who visit the area.  The Navajo feel that many others benefit financially  from the Grand Canyon each year and they would like a piece of the pie.  Each year thousands of young people are hired to staff all the lodges and concessions in and around the Canyon while most Navajo youth are unemployed for the summer. Where this will go leaves the tram up in the air but if you see Aunt Edith and Uncle Archie with great pictures as they dangle over the Canyon, you heard it from me first.