# Navajo Nation pushes

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ahopi_arizona%3Ae2bae5ad846f8a17

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

Navajo Nation pushes
for radioactive waste
remnants to be
removed

Indigenous MMA
fighters battle in
the cage
-More on pg.14

-More on pg. 16

COMMUNITY

COLUMN

Hopi
A day in a
Tribe
life of a stink Enrollment
bug
updates
LARRY’S CORNER

Read more

More on Page 11

More on Page 3

November 3, 2021

Volume 29
Number 21
75˚/ 56˚
Cloudy
~ E s t. 1987 • OFFIC IA L NEWSPA P E R OF T H E H OP I T R I B E • N E W S S OU R C E F O R T H E H O P I P E O P L E ~

Hopi Board of Education is Sworn in on October 22, 2021

New Hopi Board of Education members being sworn in by Judge Leslie on October 22, 2021 (Photo by Carl Onsae/HT)
HOPI TUTUVENI
PO BOX 123
KYKOTSMOVI, AZ 86039
1110-01600-7460

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Braves bring
chop to World
Series

More on Page 2

-More on pg. 15

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

2

Hopi Board of Education is Sworn in on October 22, 2021
Seeking Additional Candidates to Fill Remaining Four Seats

Candidates and members of the Election committee stand and pose with newly sworn in members (photo by Carl Onsae/HT)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Submitted by: Dr. Noreen E. Sakiestewa
Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – Friday, October 29, 2021. Five
members of the Hopi Board of Education (HBE) were
sworn in by Judge Delfred Leslie of the Hopi Trial Court
at a ceremony at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn, Munqapi,
Ariz. on Friday, October 22, 2021. The five HBE members are:
•Robyn Kayquoptewa (At Large Member)
•Merwin Kooyahoema (Second Mesa Day School)
•Sophia Quotskuyva (Hopi Day School)
•Le Roy Ned Shingoitewa (Moencopi Day School)
•Ronya Talayumptewa-Peshlakai (Hopi Junior Senior
High School).
The HBE will now begin its work of creating a comprehensive and unified Hopi School System and promoting
collaboration, consistency, and accountability among all
schools and educational programs on the Hopi reservation.
The five HBE members were appointed by the Hopi
Tribal Council (HTC) on October 5, 2021 by a unanimous vote with one abstention. This appointment process was approved by the HTC on June 8, 2021 after two
attempts to hold the HBE election were made last year
but not enough candidates applied to make the elections
viable.
“For the past four years, it has been an honor to support
and contribute to the creation and implementation of a
Hopi School System that reflects and builds upon shared

Hopi Educational values…” stated Vice-Chairman Clark
W. Tenakhongva, “…and with these appointments to the
HBE, we continue on the path to ensuring a higher quality of education for our future generations.”
With the swearing in of these HBE members, Dr. Darold H. Joseph, Chairperson of the Transition Team, also
stated that “…the transition process will now be able to
move forward with this critically important step of a seated HBE to provide leadership and build the foundation
for the new unified Hopi School System and to provide an
education that is culturally relevant and contribute to the
wellbeing and development of our Hopi students.”
As the HBE is intended to be a nine-member board,
the Hopi Tribe Education Transition Team is also seeking
additional candidates to fill the remaining four seats on
the HBE. The Transition Team is a team of over 40 professionals, teachers, parents, and school administrators
who in the Hopi Education Code are charged with facilitating and implementing the transition from the current
organization of Hopi’s Tribally Controlled Schools to the
unified Hopi School System.
The remaining four positions on the HBE are for the
following attendance areas: First Mesa Elementary
School, Keams Canyon Elementary School, Hotevilla
Bacavi Community School, and an At-Large member
representing the entire Hopi Reservation.
Throughout this entire process, the Hopi Health and
Education Committee have supported the transition to
a unified Hopi School System. The Committee’s Chairman, Mr. David Talayumptewa, stated that “…it is very

important that each school Attendance Area has every
opportunity to put forth their unique needs and goals on
the HBE, and so I encourage all who are interested to
apply for these remaining positions and contribute to this
important and historic development in Hopi education.”
HBE Election Team Lead, Sam Tenakhongva stated,
“Self-nominations for appointment are accepted and
nominations can also be made by school boards, parent
committees, villages, and community members.”
The Transition Team is looking forward to accepting
applications for these important positions. Dr. Noreen E.
Sakiestewa, Director of the Hopi Department of Education and Workforce Development, stated “I encourage all
those who would like to give their time for our children
and help create a truly Hopi school system anchored in
the principles and values of the Hopi way of life.”
A virtual public “Information Session on the Appointment of the Hopi Board of Education” will be held on
November 17, 2021, 5:30 p.m., at https://us02web.zoom.
us/j/81994912528 or by phone at 346-248-7799, Meeting
ID 819 9491 2528. This Information Session will provide an opportunity to learn more about the HBE qualification requirements, application processes, and to ask
questions. The HBE application due date is November
30, 2021, 5:00 p.m. The HBE Candidate application and
other information can be found at https://www.hopi-nsn.
gov/tribal-services/department-of-education/, or by contacting Dr. Noreen E. Sakiestewa at NSakiestewa@hopi.
nsn.us or at 928-734-3501.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

3

Hopi General Election Set for November 11, 2021
Hopi Elections Office Issues Email - Updated Early Voting Information
Romalita Laban - Hopi Tutuveni

Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – October 29, 2021, Karen Shupla,
Registrar Hopi Elections Office notified recipients on the
Hopi Tribe’s “All list” and others, via an October 28th
email with Subject: Early Voting Extended- Hopi Elections Office about the latest updates regarding the Hopi
Tribe’s Early Voting opportunities being rescheduled due
to closure of the office “the last few days” referring to
October 26–28, 2021.
Just two days prior on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Cianna Sakeva, Hopi Elections Assistant
notified all Hopi Tribal Workers via email that, “The Hopi
Elections Office will be closed for the remainder of the
day today (10/26) and all day tomorrow (10/27) due to
exposure in our office. We are taking the necessary precautions with sanitization which will take place immediately.”
In Shupla’s email notification she explained, “…due to
unforeseen circumstances the Hopi Elections Office had
to be closed for a couple of days, Early Voting was scheduled during this time. Normal business hours will continue beginning tomorrow Friday, October 29, 2021…8:30
a.m. - 4:30 p.m.…” Further information also included,
“…the Office will be open to continue the Early Voting
cycle. Early Voting will be [extended] through November
1, 2, and the 3rd due to the closure of the office the last

few days. This will allow those to come and vote if they
had tried to come to the office during the time of closure…For more information, you may contact the Hopi
Elections Office tomorrow, Friday, October 29, 2021, at
1-928-734-2507/2508 or email Kshupla@hopi.nsn.us.
Thank you for understanding.”
Today, October 29, 2021, Shupla sent out another email
notification with the Subject: Early Voting Extension –
Hopi Elections Office and included a general information flyer noting the same information as that listed in the
above paragraph.
Although neither Shupla nor the Hopi Elections Board
has submitted the information for advertising or in a press
release, Hopi Tutuveni is including the information in the
November 3rd publication for the benefit of ensuring
information is shared with the eligible Hopi voters. The
information is being included, as a courtesy from Hopi
Tutuveni, in this democratic process of voting in the 2021
Hopi Tribal General Elections.
General Election is set for Thursday, November 11,
2021, and the Hopi Elections Office will require those
who have Absentee Ballots to have them mailed in to
the Kykotsmovi Post Office, where Hopi Elections Office receives its mail. In a general email notification sent
October 11, 2021, Shupla noted, “IMPORTANT DATE:
November 10, 2021, is the date the Hopi Election Board
will be collecting the remaining Absentee Ballots from

the Kykotsmovi Post Office. November 11, 2021, is a
National Holiday and the post office will be closed. Canvassing will be held on November 11, 2021, beginning at
around 7:30 p.m. at the Peace Academic Center, Kykotsmovi, [Arizona]…”
Tutuveni has been providing updates and information
regarding the upcoming 2021 Hopi Tribal Elections for
Chairman and Vice-Chairman by making contact with the
Hopi Elections Office staff and providing opportunities
for press releases and ad placements. The Hopi Elections
Office has foregone submitting any press releases or
requests to advertise since March 2021 when a lengthy
press release was submitted but was then abruptly pulled.
Hopi Tutuveni staff made phone contact with the Hopi
Elections Office on Thursday, October 28, 2021, to inquire about updated vote counts and information about
Early Voting being rescheduled. No staff was available
however a message requesting a return was left on the
voice mail. No calls have been received as of October 29,
2021. However, information received on Friday, October
22, 2021, from Cianna Sakeva, Hopi Elections Assistant,
that counts were being updated on the Hopi Tribe’s website on the Hopi Elections Office page was confirmed on
October 26th. Below is what is depicted on the page as
of October 29, 2021, and which has not changed since
October 26th:

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Hopi Elections
Board determined “EARLY VOTING SITES” for the
Hopi Reservation as another opportunity for the general

public to get votes in. It hasn’t been determined as of late,
if those efforts brought in more or less voters during the
recent Primary Election as compared to previous election

years, when there weren’t pandemic concerns present.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

4

HEALTH
Hopi Tribe Enrollment Office
5 Tips to Prevent Common Holiday
Updates
Foot Problems
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Submitted by: Dione A. Naha,
Enrollment Coordinator

Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – October 29, 2021
and per Executive Order #010-2021, the
Enrollment Office has reopened for business. We are following the “Return to
Work” Guidelines to ensure everyone’s
safety.
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m.
– 5 p.m. with the office closed during the
Lunch Hour from 12-1 p.m.
We kindly request updates to member’s
contact information. Families that have
had a member pass on are encouraged to

forward a copy of the Death Certificate for
the members file. Tribal Membership Photo ID cards are available for members who
need a New or Replacement card. Please
review expiration dates on ID cards. All
other services are available, please see
website for further details: www.hopi-nsn.
gov.
Office contact information:
Lisa Yowytewa, Verification Clerk - P:
928-734-3152 E: LYowytewa@hopi.nsn.
us
Dione Naha, Enrollment Coordinator –
P: 928-734-3154 E: DNaha@hopi.nsn.us
Tanya Monroe, Enrollment Director - P:
928-734-3151 E: TMonroe@hopi.nsn.us

Are you into drawing

COMICS?

New Perspective - Education

by: Carl Onsae

Submit your comics to
consae@hopi.nsn.us
Or

Drawing comics is a great way to show your
drawing skills and your side of Hopi Humor.
If you have the skill and the humor to draw comics
for the Hopi Tutuveni

Call 928-734-3283
To find out more information.

DISCLAIMER: Comics submitted will become property of Hopi
Tutuveni. Name of artist will be
displayed and not edited when submitted. Hopi Tutuveni has
the right to publish submitted comics.

Hopi Tutuveni wants your AD’s

Call or email us to get a quote TODAY!

928-734-3283 or
rlaban@hopi.nsn.us

(StatePoint) The holiday season is one
of the most joyful times of year, but it can
also lead to aching feet. One source of seasonal foot pain is gout, a type of arthritis
exacerbated by consuming too much of
certain holiday foods and beverages.
As you celebrate, prevent gout flare-ups
and other painful afflictions with these
five tips for healthy holiday feet from the
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).
1. Don’t overindulge in holiday cheer.
Your feet can sometimes feel the effects
of too much holiday cheer. Foods and beverages high in purines, such as shellfish,
red meat, red wine and beer, can trigger
extremely painful gout attacks, a condition when uric acid builds up and crystallizes in and around your joints. According
to foot and ankle surgeon and Associate
Member of the American College of Foot
and Ankle Surgeons, Josh Sebag, DPM,
AACFAS, “Often, it’s the big toe that’s
affected first since it’s the coolest part of
the body and uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes, but this may also occur
in other parts of the foot and ankle.”
If you do experience pain in your big
toe or other parts of your foot or ankle,
drink appropriate fluids, elevate your foot
and immobilize it. Frequently, non-aspirin
equivalents of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are used to treat gout.
In severe cases, contact your foot and ankle surgeon.
2. If the shoe fits, wear it. When hitting
the dance floor or shopping malls, don’t
compromise comfort and safety when
picking shoes. Narrow or overly highheeled shoes or shoes that aren’t worn often, such as dress shoes, can irritate feet,
leading to blisters, calluses, swelling and
even severe ankle injuries. “Choose lowheeled shoes that fit your foot in length,
width and depth while you’re standing,”
says Dr. Sebag
3. Be pedicure-safety conscious. Head-

ing out for your holiday pedicure? Nail
salons can be a breeding ground for bacteria, including MRSA, a type of staph infection that causes fever and painful red
bumps, and can be life-threatening if left
untreated. Reduce your risk of infection.
Choose a salon that follows proper sanitation practices and is licensed by the state.
You may also want to consider bringing
your own pedicure instruments for safety.
4. Watch for ice and snow. Though
winter wonderlands are beautiful, they
can also be dangerous. Use caution outdoors, watching for ice or snow patches.
The ankle joint can be more vulnerable
to serious injury from falling on ice. “Ice
accelerates the fall and often causes more
severe trauma because the foot can move
in any direction after slipping,” Dr. Sebag
explains. If you fall, take a break from activities until you can be seen by a foot and
ankle surgeon. Use RICE therapy (Rest,
Ice, Compression, and Elevation) to reduce pain and control swelling around the
injury.
5. Listen to your feet. Don’t let foot
pain ruin holiday fun; inspect your feet
regularly for evidence of injury, ingrown
toenails, bruising, swelling, blisters, dry
skin or calluses. “If you experience foot
pain (while at rest or with activity), swelling or notice signs of problems, make an
appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon,” Dr. Sebag says. “Often, especially
for people living with diabetes, and those
with altered foot sensation, what may
seem like a simple issue can turn into a
larger problem if medical care is delayed.”
For more resources or to find a foot and
ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of
the American College of Foot and Ankle
Surgeons.
Treat your feet right. Being proactive,
protective and preventive can mean a
healthier holiday season for your feet -and your whole body.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

5

EDUCATION

HOLIDAY COOKING

Is Your Child Equipped to Elevate Holiday Cooking With
Quick and Easy Tweaks
Succeed in Their Classes?

(StatePoint) Educational success goes
beyond just making good grades. It also
means loving the learning process and
having the right tools can be a game
changer. Here are five learning tools to
consider:
• Better notetaking: Making sense of
newly-introduced material when it comes
time to study can be challenging when one
is working with regular pen and paper.
Smart pens however feature built-in audio
recording functionality and the ability to
record and save every pen stroke, giving
students multiple options for taking thorough notes and revisiting them.
• An intuitive calculator: Many students become bored or frustrated when
they move beyond basic math. Often, it’s
because they’re not properly equipped
to succeed in higher-level classes. While
you probably already know that a scientific calculator is necessary for high school
and college-level math (and even middle
school in some cases), not every model
is easy to use or designed to actually aide
comprehension of mathematical concepts.
Being able to visualize calculations can
make learning more interesting and keep
your student’s head in the game.
To that end, consider the Casio FX991EX. It has a large, high-resolution
LCD screen, for easier use of applications
such as spreadsheets and 4x4 matrix calculations, as well as Natural Textbook
Display for two-dimensional templates
of fractions and other mathematical formulas. With a comprehensive set of advanced calculations for integration and
differential calculus, along with vector
and inequality calculations, it’s an intuitively-designed calculator that can carry
your student through many years of course

instruction, studying and test-taking.
• New language tools: Sometimes foreign language classes leave students with
an expansive vocabulary but not the conversational skills to use it. Make studying
a new language more useful and fun by
encouraging your child to make use of
apps that focus on grammar, real-world
conversation, and storytelling.
• A beginner’s keyboard: When it comes
to the world of musical instruments, the
piano is fundamental. However, if you’re
looking to introduce the instrument to
your budding musician affordably and in
a way that will keep them motivated and
inspired to practice, consider a keyboard
designed with the beginner in mind. Portable and lightweight, Casiotone keyboards
are first-class and offer a range of features
designed to aide instruction. Pre-programmed, illuminated keys help novices
learn songs quickly, representing a visual
learning system based on the latest findings in music education. Also suitable for
beginners are keyboards with a USB-todevice interface. This offers the possibility to connect the instrument to a storage
medium device, so players can control
their progress and stay motivated.
• An up-to-date prescription: Has your
child ever complained that school is boring or tiring? It could be a vision problem that’s causing them to feel that way.
Nearsightedness can make seeing the
blackboard a struggle and farsightedness
can turn the simple act of reading a book
into a headache. Have your child’s vision
checked annually to ensure their glasses
or contacts prescription is up-to-date.
Educational tools can make learning
easier, paving the way for your child to
embrace school subjects and succeed.

(StatePoint) Holiday cooking and entertaining don’t have to be overly complex to
impress. Here are quick, simple ways to
elevate your meals for memorable experiences your friends and family will love:
Balanced Seasoning
Are your go-to family recipes in need
of an update? Enhance the flavor profile
of savory holiday dishes by swapping
out salt and pepper and instead, reaching
for Livia’s Seasoning Salt, an all-natural, pre-blended seasoning of kosher salt,
coarse-ground black pepper and garlic.
“Livia’s is good on just about everything, which is why it’s the not-so-secret
ingredient in a lot my creations,” says Peter Hoff, executive chef and partner, NOLO’s Kitchen & Bar.
You can use Livia’s in a number of ways
during meal preparation and table-side to
give holiday dishes something extra:
• Add flair to appetizers by shaking it
into the yolk mixture of deviled eggs or
using it to season baked brie.
• Season the outside of your turkey with
olive oil and a few liberal shakes of Livia’s, or even create your own brine that
will become a treasured recipe of its own.
• Season hams and roasts with it.
• Add it to stuffing and mashed potatoes.

• Update morning egg bake recipes to
wow overnight guests.
• Include it on your holiday table so that
guests can season their food to taste.
For more information, visit liviasseasoningsalt.com.
Add Pizzazz to Desserts
With a few updates, you can give your
standard dessert line-up a touch of elegance. Use fresh ginger in your gingerbread cookies. Create your own crumbs
for sprinkling on top of cakes. Garnish
slices of pie with a mint or basil sprig or a
cinnamon stick. Melt your favorite chocolate and drizzle it on anything.
Up Your Tablescape Game
A holiday feast is the perfect time to
create a special atmosphere. And you can
do so easily by breaking out your best
dishes and utensils, as well as by adding
a few natural elements to the tablescape,
such as poinsettias, holly, evergreens and
pinecones. Ditch the overhead lights and
use candles or other warm lighting to create a soft, convivial glow.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire
menu to make your holiday feast special.
Make quick, simple tweaks and additions
to your existing recipes and entertaining
traditions to elevate the occasion.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

6

Early Signs of Diabetic Hypoglycemia and What
You Need to Know

Submitted by: Ms. Sandra Ovah, Program Coordinator, Hopi Wellness Center For Hopi Tutuveni
Kykotsmovi, Ariz. - October 20, 2021, Diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when someone with diabetes doesn't
have enough sugar (glucose) in his or her blood. Glucose
is the main source of fuel for the body and brain, so you
can't function well if you don't have enough.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is defined as a blood
sugar level below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or
3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
Pay attention to the early warning signs of hypoglycemia, and treat low blood sugar promptly. You can raise
your blood sugar quickly by eating or drinking a simple
sugar source, such as glucose tablets or fruit juice. Tell
family and friends what symptoms to look for and what
to do if you're not able to treat the condition yourself.
Symptoms
Early warning signs and symptoms
Initial signs and symptoms of diabetic hypoglycemia
include:
•Shakiness
•Dizziness
•Sweating
•Hunger
•Fast heartbeat
•Inability to concentrate
•Confusion
•Irritability or moodiness
•Anxiety or nervousness
•Headache
Nighttime signs and symptoms
If diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when you're sleeping,
signs and symptoms that may awaken you include:
•Damp sheets or night clothes due to perspiration
•Nightmares
•Tiredness, irritability or confusion upon waking
Severe signs and symptoms
If diabetic hypoglycemia isn't treated, signs and symptoms of severe hypoglycemia can occur. These include:
•Clumsiness or jerky movements
•Inability to eat or drink
•Muscle weakness
•Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
•Blurry or double vision
•Drowsiness
•Confusion
•Convulsions or seizures
•Unconsciousness
•Death, rarely
Symptoms can differ from person to person or from episode to episode. Some people don't have any noticeable
symptoms. It's also possible you won't have any symp-

toms of hypoglycemia, so it's important to monitor your
blood sugar levels regularly and keep track of how you're
feeling when your blood sugar is low.
When to see a doctor
Severe hypoglycemia can lead to serious problems, including seizures or unconsciousness that requires emergency care. Make sure your family, friends and co-workers know what to do in an emergency.
If you're with someone who loses consciousness or
can't swallow due to low blood sugar:
•Don't inject insulin, as this will cause blood sugar levels to drop even further
•Don't give fluids or food, because these could cause
choking
•Give glucagon — a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood — through injection or nasally
•Call 911 or emergency services in your area for immediate treatment if glucagon isn't on hand
If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia several times a
week or more, see your doctor. You may need to change
your medication dosage or timing, or otherwise adjust
your diabetes treatment regimen.
Causes
Low blood sugar is most common among people who
take insulin, but it can also occur if you're taking certain
oral diabetes medications.
Common causes of diabetic hypoglycemia include:
•Taking too much insulin or diabetes medication
•Not eating enough
•Postponing or skipping a meal or snack
•Increasing exercise or physical activity without eating
more or adjusting your medications
•Drinking alcohol
Blood sugar regulation
The hormone insulin lowers blood sugar levels when
blood sugar is too high. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and need insulin to control your blood sugar, taking
more insulin than you need to can cause your blood sugar
level to drop too low and result in hypoglycemia.
Your blood sugar can also drop too low if, after taking
your diabetes medication, you eat less than usual (most of
the body's glucose comes from food), or if you exercise
more than you normally do, which uses extra glucose.
Maintaining the balance between insulin, food and activity isn't always easy, but your doctor or diabetes educator can work with you to try to prevent low blood sugar
levels.
Risk factors
Some people have a greater risk of diabetic hypoglycemia, including:
•People using insulin

•People taking certain oral diabetes drugs (sulfonylureas)
•Young children and older adults
•Those with impaired liver or kidney function
•People who've had diabetes for a longer time
•People who don't feel low blood sugar symptoms (hypoglycemia unawareness)
•Those taking multiple medications
•Anyone with a disability that prevents a quick response to falling blood sugar levels
•People who drink alcohol
Complications
If you ignore the symptoms of hypoglycemia too
long, you may lose consciousness. That's because your
brain needs glucose to function. Recognize the signs and
symptoms of hypoglycemia early, because if untreated,
hypoglycemia can lead to:
•Seizures
•Loss of consciousness
•Death
Take your early symptoms seriously. Diabetic hypoglycemia can increase the risk of serious — even deadly
— accidents.
Prevention
To help prevent diabetic hypoglycemia:
•Monitor your blood sugar. Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and record your blood sugar
level several times a week or multiple times a day. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your
blood sugar level remains within your target range.
•Don't skip or delay meals or snacks. If you take insulin or oral diabetes medication, be consistent about the
amount you eat and the timing of your meals and snacks.
•Measure medication carefully, and take it on time.
Take your medication as recommended by your doctor.
•Adjust your medication or eat additional snacks if you
increase your physical activity. The adjustment depends
on the blood sugar test results, the type and length of the
activity, and what medications you take.
•Eat a meal or snack with alcohol, if you choose to
drink. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can cause
hypoglycemia. Alcohol may also cause delayed hypoglycemia hours later, making blood sugar monitoring even
more important.
•Record your low glucose reactions. This can help you
and your health care team identify patterns contributing
to hypoglycemia and find ways to prevent them.
•Carry some form of diabetes identification so that in
an emergency others will know that you have diabetes.
Use a medical identification necklace or bracelet and
wallet card.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

7

Native American/Alaskan
Heritage Month

Submitted by: Bernadean Kachinhongva, Mentor - Hopi Substance Abuse
Prevention Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Kykotsmovi, AZ – October 27, 2021 the
month of November is National Native
American and Alaskan Heritage Month.
Native American Heritage Month first
started as an effort to gain one day of recognition. In 1990, President George H.W.
Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American
Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations are under various names including “Native American Heritage Month”
and “Native American Indian and Alaska
Native Heritage Month.” The HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center (HSAPC)
encourages all Natives to embrace their
lineage and culture, as a form of strengthening themselves. As Native Americans,
our ancestors have struggled to keep our
identity strong. We encourage all individuals to embrace and continue learning about their own heritage and values.
Native Americans and Alaskan Natives
work to have their voices heard and presence known, even after the many atrocities they have survived. However, some
of our Native cultures and languages are
slowly diminishing or have been completely lost. Trauma amongst all people of
diverse backgrounds is slowly coming to
light across the country. Natives are well
aware of these injustices and live with the
effects from generation to generation. It’s
because of these injustices; historical trauma is evident in many of our people today.

There is an understanding that alcohol
was introduced to Native Americans as a
way to impair their cognitive awareness.
We see this in our work at the HSAPC
with our participants as many continue to
turn to substances. HSAPC continues to
strengthen our people by implementing
Hopi culture and values in our prevention
programming.Historically, some Native
American nations aren’t recognized by
the federal government or didn’t meet the
criteria. While on the other hand, some
choose not to be affiliated with the federal government. These circumstances have
impacted the non-federally recognized
nations in many ways, however, they’ve
learned to adapt. HSAPC would like to
recognize the non-federally recognized
nations as well during National Native
American and Alaskan Heritage Month.
Continue to embrace your ancestors,
teachings, culture, and language.HSAPC
mentors work to remain open-minded in
learning about our teachings as well as
other nations. We recognize the impact of
colonialism, trauma, and substance abuse
on Native Americans and the increase of
substances in our communities. HSAPC is
proud to be a part of the Trauma Informed
Substance Abuse Prevention Program
(TISAPP) from the Arizona Governor’s
Office of Youth, Faith, and Family. We
encourage you to embrace your healing
with traditional medicines, ceremonies,
Creator/Higher Power and to find strength
and resilience in your culture. If you
would like further information on HSAPC
services, you can call our office at 928734-0300

The Hopi Wildlife & Ecosystems Management Program
WOOD HARVEST
HART RANCH
ENROLLED HOPI TRIBAL MEMBERS ONLY
Friday-Sunday, October 22-24 2021
Friday-Sunday, November 12-14 2021
Friday-Sunday, November 19-21 2021
Friday-Sunday, December 3-5 2021
Friday-Sunday, January 21-23 2021

Last Vehicle in at 2:00 pm NO EXCEPTION!!!!

DIRECTIONS:
FROM FLAGSTAFF:
From Flagstaff the Hart Ranch is approximately 20 miles east on
I-40. Exit at the Twin Arrows Exit (Exit 219).
From Winslow:
From Winslow the Hart Ranch is approximately 40 miles west on
I-40. Exit at the Twin Arrows Exit (Exit 219).
Harvesting sites are located approximately 5.5 miles south of the
exit.
WEMP staff will be stationed at the main entrance to check you in
and direct you to the different sites.
ITEMS TO BRING:
Your Tribal Enrollment Card and/or ID.
A spare tire, tools, chainsaw, food and plenty of water.
**NOTE**
A special Hopi Tribal Wood Hauling Permit will be issued to you at
the main entrance before you leave the Hart Ranch.
For more information, you may contact the Hopi Wildlife & Ecosystems Management Program at (928) 497-1014.

Hopi Tutuveni wants to know how we are
doing.
Call or email us to tell us if we are doing a good job. We need your
feedback

928-734-3283

8

HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency Response
October 27, 2021 Report

KYKOTSMOVI, AZ – October 27, 2021
This data is updated on the Hopi Tribe’s
website “COVID-19 Response and Resources” page.
Hopi Health Care Center – Community
Vaccination Information:
COVID-19 vaccines are available every
Tuesday’s for the month of November for
those 18-years and older for Pfizer and Modena only. Call (928) 737-6049/6081/6148 Appointments are required.
COVID-19 Testing Drive Up Testing Remains Open Monday – Friday from 8 am to
9:30 am. Enter at the west entrance & drive
around back. Wear a mask & stay in your
vehicle. For more information about other
testing options please call (928) 737-6233.
Moenkopi residents Tuba City Regional
Health Care will have a Pfizer vaccine community drive-up vaccine clinic now available for individual’s 12-years and older. Call
1-866-976-5941 to schedule your appointment.
As of October 27, 2021 the United States
now has approximately 45,571 million confirmed positive cases with over 737,990
deaths reported.
Over 1,156 million confirmed positive
cases now exist in Arizona. Of those, close
to 21,284 are in Navajo and 23,026 in Coconino Counties.
The Hopi Health Care Centers most recent
data report indicates over 11,797 patients
tested as of October 26, 2021. Over 1,608
of those tests at Hopi Health Care Center
came back positive with 1,168 from Hopi
Tribal members. Tuba City Regional Health

Care Corporation reported 316 positives for
Hopi Villages with a combined number of
1,500*** positive Hopi Tribal members.
*Note: Data include all state-wide data
from facilities such as the Hopi Health Care
Center, Flagstaff, Winslow, Phoenix or other
hospitals. + Includes Village member(s) retested positive.
Prevention:
Watch for Symptoms - people with
COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-10 days after exposure to the virus.
Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
People with these symptoms may have
COVID-19:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible
symptoms. CDC will continue to update this
list as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung
disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk
for developing more serious complications
from COVID-19 illness.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES

Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency Response October 27, 2021 Report, Cont.

9

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

10

Hopilavit - Fall Related
I
P
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October 6 issue

H Q I I N O O L
A A A S N I K T
L T S N U A T Y
A A O Y A W W O
S A O I I O G T
A L H Q S T N N
M A U S Z T U A
I I T I W P U K
A O J K M A T T
Y P K Y A A S O
A T G A M P E G
N K O H Q U L W
Q A F A A F E X
O I S T S T W H
H M W I I V A L
L A Y K U H Y F
B S M O R I T S

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M
W
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O
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H
O
A
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P
W
Q
A
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A
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T
A
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S
K
L
W
Y
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A
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G
L
E

A
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Y
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A
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P
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Q
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HOPI WORDS

Steamed)

Tsawna - Frighten

Huk.yala - Abate (of wind)

Tu’tsi - Corn (Roasted)

Huyta - Give Out (Treats)

Nìitiwpu - Abundance

Silaqvu - Corn Husk

Maalama - Ground Cultivated

Aniwna - Achieve or Accom-

Mangwni - Corn Leaves

Höqna’ya - Harvesting Party

plish

Kyàasòmkwivi - Creamed

Hota - Haul (Harvested

Aptsiwta - Adequate

Corn

Goods)

Natwànpi - Agricultural

Angwusi - Crow

Pàngala - Heap (Harvested

Practice

Qataala - Darkness

Goods)

Qana’öna - Ambitious

Tuviku - Disguise

Moritspu - Hull (Beans)

Maqsoni - Arduous

Àasa’ta - Enough (candy

Tukwsi - Matured Corn

Tuho’os - Autumn

treats)

Kawayvatnga - Melon

Paapu - Beans (Pod)

Uti - Exclamation! (Horror)

Halasami - Moist Ground

Sikyahatiko - Beans (Y.

Nìktiwta - Extra (candy

Tuvatski - Nut Bearing Tree

Lima)

treats)

Pisoq - Occupied (Harvest)

Pasqalalni - Boundary (Crop)

Màmqasi - Fear

Sipala - Peach

Patomelooni - Canteloupe

Nùutsel’eway - Fearsome

Pintomori - Pinto Beans

Hökni - Corn (Harvested)

Sami - Fresh Corn

Natwani - Plant

Tuupevu - Corn (Pit

Sungwa - Friend

TICK-TACK-TOE

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

11

Larry’s Corner

A day in
a life of a
stink bug
Ahhh...the stink bug, no one knows much about
the stink bug, other than the fact that when you bother him, he sticks his butt up and sprays you with his
stink, hence the name “Stink Bug.”
Although the stink bug may be a well-known pest
to us Hopi cats, it is rarely discussed in Hopi folklore.
The stink bug is also known in some places as the
clown beetle because of how he sticks his butt in the
air to spray you with his stink as a defense mechanism. The stink bug is not an invasive bug, but it
may strike your curiosity when you see it around
your house. The stink bug does not hurt anyone and
seems to be minding its own business as it is out and
about or just lying flat on its back wiggling to get
back on all fours.
I sometimes think about the stink bug because it
is rarely talked about and there are few stories told
about the stink bug in Hopi folklore. So, a question
that comes to mind when I do see one is why does
it exist? Does it have a purpose in this world? Why
would life create something that has little to no purpose, in my mind, at all? I often think about the stink
bug when I see it wandering around outside, but except for that, we don’t care for it.
Although I have not heard of any Hopi folklores
about the creature, I have heard some Hopis call this
bug a’hoyani or “bug that comes back” and while it
typically doesn’t bother you, if you get lucky to have
it spray its stink at you, I would think you would not
want it to come back.
So, when you don’t want Mr. Stinky to come towards you and spray you with his stink, you flick
with your finger and he goes flying off into space.

And by some miraculous events, he will come back
towards you, hence the name a’hoyani.
Now another thing that I find interesting about Mr.
Stinky is that he doesn’t bother anyone. He minds
his own business and does what he needs to do to
achieve his daily quota. The only time we call him
a pest is when he seems to bother us because when
we flick him, he starts to come back to us, AGAIN,
that’s when we get annoyed and call him a pest.
I know it may seem harsh to the people who like
bugs. I know it may seem to mean but I like to think
maybe he was going to an important meeting and
you were in the way of his route and that’s why he
always tries to walk the same path you are in.
So why don’t we like him, he probably has a job,
a family, or maybe his wife is pregnant and he must
work overtime to provide for his family…I don’t
know. If I spoke stink bug talk and got his side of the
story, maybe this column wouldn’t be so one-sided.
So, you’re probably wondering why I chose to
talk about the common stink bug, right? Well, for
one thing, he must be here for a reason otherwise
Hopis wouldn’t have a unique name for him, and I
wouldn’t be writing about him at this very moment.
See in life sometimes we are forgotten by others
and by “we” I mean Native Americans. And we are
only remembered because we become open with our
“uniqueness” and Hopi and Native Americans are
no different from the stink bug…well my sisters are
the stinky ones…but I digress.
See America has forgotten about us, we don’t exist
in the minds of their “idea of life” at one point they
called us “pests” but we just kept being and in some
instances kept coming back to our homelands and

kept strong with our way of life. And just like the
stink bug, which is resilient and persistent to its purpose, surroundings and thrives in any climate, I can
see a comparison to how Hopis or Native Americans
seem to live and carry on in that a’hoyani spirit.
So, what sort of lesson can we take from this?
Well for one, he doesn’t mind being called a stink
bug or clown beetle, even though he may have a
cool name like “Blarg the Destroyer” or something
like that because of his tough outer shell. Another
thing is that he probably has a family to feed so he
is out and about trying to provide for his family, and
so he must have a commitment. Another thing is that
he leaves no trace, he’s not wasteful, he’s not messy,
and he only takes up one inch of space.
So, does he live his life like how I imagined and
assumed? I don’t know, but then again, I’m a cat
looking at a bug and wondering if it’s safe to eat…in
some cultures stink bugs are considered a delicacy
because they are full of nutrients and they are easy
to obtain. But whatever the reason why the stink bug
exists is still much a mystery to me.
So, my advice to you is that a stink bug can be
more than just a stink bug, he protects his surroundings, he eats other harmful beetles or bugs, and he
does protect crops from maggots and other little
pests. He is not messy and I don’t think he has any
diseases. So, when you see a stink bug call him by
his real name if he tells you his real name, but otherwise say “Hi” to him and he will be on his way. We
can learn a thing or two from him. He may be wise
like an old storyteller and probably has a lot of stories to tell you, so just listen to him he may surprise
you…or he may just spray you with his stinky butt.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

12

Notice of Request for Proposals
Market Survey

The Hopi Tribe P.O. Box 123 Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
Ph: (928) 734-3281 • Ph: (928) 734-3283
Editorial Board of the Hopi Tutuveni
Kyle Knox , Gary LaRance, George Mase

Advertise
in this 1
column x
10” for only
$80
FULL
COLOR!
CALL
TODAY TO
RESERVE
THIS
BANNER
AD

Call:
928
734
3283

Notice is given that the Hopi Credit Association is requesting proposals from qualified
marketing companies or individuals for development of a market survey.
Company Background/Introduction
The Hopi Credit Association is a certified Native Community Development Financial
Institution Loan fund located on the Hopi Reservation in Northern Arizona. Our mission
is “to enhance the quality of life by providing lending, financial education, and training
opportunities for our Hopi Senom to become informed consumers”. We provide a variety of lending products and financial education to Hopi Tribal enrolled members.
Project Objectives
The objectives of this project include:
▪ Develop, administer, and analyze a market survey to understand who potential clients are and what current and future needs are.
▪ Provide executive summary to report findings of the market survey.
Target Geographies
Hopi Credit Association’s target market is Hopi Tribal enrolled members residing on
the Hopi Reservation. We would also like the market survey to reach Hopi Tribal enrolled members residing in the State of Arizona to understand needs off the reservation.
Project Timeline*
Final Project Due: March 31, 2022.
Submission Requirements*
Proposals must be received by December 3, 2021.
Contact Information
Please contact for full Request for Proposal:
Alissa Charley
lisa@hopicredit.us or 928.738.2205
Hopi Credit Association reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for budgetary,
conflict of interest, past performance, federal contract disbarment, or other reasons; to
reject any or all submittals or portions thereof; to reissues this notice and to award the
contract on a partial bases if in the best interest of the Hopi Credit Association.

RFP

Request for Proposals

Hopi businesses and individuals with expertise
in developing, hosting and maintaining websites are invited to respond to a Request for
Proposals for website development, hosting and
maintenance for the Hopi Tourism Association.
Qualified respondents should request a copy of
the RFP by emailing ld@buildingcommunities.
us. The deadline for proposals is November 23,
2021.

Hopi Tutuveni Staff
Managing Editor - Romalita Laban
RLaban@hopi.nsn.us
Assistant Editor - Carl Onsae
Consae@hopi.nsn.us
ARTICLES:
The Hopi Tutuveni welcomes
original articles reporting on
local, state and national news
items on issues related to Hopi
or of interest to Tutuveni readers.
We are especially interested
in articles reporting on issues
impacting the Hopi community or on events and activities
involving members of the Hopi
Tribe. Articles should not exceed
750 words and should follow
Associated Press (AP) style and
formatting. The Managing Editor
reserves the right to edit articles
for style, length and clarity. If
significant editing is required, the
Managing Editor will communicate with the author prior to
publication.
PRESS RELEASES:
Press releases must be submitted
on official letterhead and include
the name of the organization,
contact person, telephone
number and email address. Press
releases should not exceed 500
words and submissions may be
edited for length and clarity at
the discretion of the Managing
Editor.
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR:
Letters should not exceed 250
words and must include the
name of the author and complete
contact information (address,
phone number or email address)

CIRCULATION

and the headline and date of
the article on which you are
commenting. Anonymous letters
and letters written under pseudonyms will not be published.
The Tutuveni Editorial Board
reviews all submissions and
reserves the right not to publish
letters it considers to be highly
sensitive or potentially offensive
to readers, or that may be libelous
or slanderous in nature.
OPINION EDITORIALS:
Submissions must be exclusive
to Hopi Tutuveni and should not
exceed 1,000 words. Include with
your submission your name and
complete contact information,
along with a short 2-3-sentence
bio.
SUBMISSION
INSTRUCTIONS:
All press releases, articles, letters
to the editor and Opinion Editorials electronically as a Word
document or as plain text in the
body of an email to the Managing Editor, Romalita Laban. Articles, press releases and editorials
that include photographs must
be in high resolution, 300dpi
or more and must be your own.
All photographs must include
photo credit and a caption for
each photo listing the names of
all persons included in the photo
and description of what the photo is about. (call 928-734-3283
for deadline schedule).

The Hopi Tutuveni is published twice a month, with a circulation
of 2,500 copies throughout the entire Hopi Reservation. The paper
is delivered on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to the
following locations: Moenkopi Travel Center, Moenkopi Legacy
Inn, Hotevilla Store, Kykotsmovi Village Store, Tribal Government
Complex, Hopi Cultural Center, Hopi Health Care Center, Polacca
Circle M, Keams Canyon Store.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

RFP

13

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Hopi Family Assistance
Program (TANF Program)
Public Comment Period

The Hopi Family Assistance Program is currently conducting a 45 day comment period on
the new Hopi Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families (TANF) Plan. Then Hopi/Tewa people are encouraged to provide their comments
regarding the new plan. Hopi Tribal members
can request a copy of the new TANF plan by
calling the Hopi Family Assistance Program at
928-734-2202. All Hopi /Tewa tribal members
are encouraged to provide their comments by
mailing to the Hopi Family Assistance Program, P.O. Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039 no
later than November 24, 2021.

October 1 – November 19, 2021
Request for Proposal for Financial Audit Service
The Hopi Foundation–Lomasumi’nangwtukwsiwmani, is accepting proposals for a multi-year engagement
from qualified and independent CPAs to perform annual
financial and compliance audits for the purpose of expressing an opinion on financial statements for a tax-exempt charitable nonprofit.
The multi-year engagement shall cover 2021 until
2023, with each annual audit to cover calendar year January 1 to December 31. The scope of the audit shall be
applicable to:
A.Nonprofit 501(c)3 financial audit and 990 statements
in accordance with IRS standards;
B.Public Radio audited financial statements in accordance to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting standards.
All proposals must include:
1.Proposal letter from a qualified CPA firm;
2.A quote of all costs associated with Part A & Part
B proposed scope of work with Part B radio audit costs
listed separately;
3.Credentials and references including references from
tax-exempt charitable organization clients and public radio clients.
All completed proposals must be received by The Hopi
Foundation or post-marked by 5:00pm, Friday, November 19th. Contact Monica Nuvamsa, Executive Director at (928) 734-2380 or 2390, or by email at nuvamsa@
hopifoundation.org.
About The Hopi Foundation-Lomasuminangwtukwsiwmani
The Hopi Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization based on the Hopi Reservation. The
Hopi Foundation hosts the KUYI 88.1FM Hopi Radio, a
Native American, community-based, public radio station.

PH: (928) 289 0974

porturica@gmail.com

Hopi Tribal Council
Timothy L. Nuvangyaoma,
Chairman
Clark W. Tenakhongva, Vice
Chairman
Judith Youvella
Tribal Secretary
Wilfred Gaseoma, Tribal
Treasurer
Violet Sinquah, Sergeant-AtArms
Village of Upper
Moenkopi
Robert Charley
Philton Talahytewa, Sr.
Hubert Lewis, Sr.
Michael Elmer
Village of Bakabi
Dwayne Secakuku
Clifford Qotsaquahu
Velma Kalyesvah
Village of Kyakotsmovi
David Talayumptewa
Phillip Quochytewa, Sr.
Danny Honanie
Herman G. Honanie
Village of Sipaulavi
Rosa Honanie
Alverna Poneoma
Raymond Namoki
Village of Mishongnovi
Delores Coochyamptewa
Pansy Edmo
Mervin Yoyetewa
First Mesa Consolidated
Villages
Albert T. Sinquah
Dale Sinquah
Wallace Youvella, Jr
Ivan L. Sidney.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

14

Indigenous MMA
fighters battle in
the cage
Ruff, Puff and Rumble was a cannabis friendly MMA event out of Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Carina Dominguez, Indian Country Today)

Carina Dominguez
Indian Country Today
PHOENIX — It was a rowdy Saturday night for Indigenous MMA fighters who entered the cage at Celebrity
Theatre in Phoenix, with one winning his retirement fight.
Shannon Ritch, Choctaw, stepped into the cage for
his last time and won his pro headliner match up against
Samson Guerrero via submission, in the first round, with
a rear naked choke.
He said as soon as Guerrero turned, “I was like, ‘I got
him!’”
Ruff, Puff and Rumble attendees witnessed two knockouts, one technical knockout and seven fights that went
the distance.
Ritch had a couple recent scares that made him believe
his retirement fight might not take place.
First, his initial opponent, Aaron Brink, dropped out of
the fight days before it was set to take place, then his new
opponent, Guerrero, struggled to turn in the proper medical documents in a timely manner.
“If he gets them turned in, we have a 50/50 chance that
we're going to fight,” Ritch said at the weigh-in at Golden
Margarita on Friday.
Fortunately for Ritch, it was the happy ending he was
anticipating for his career. He had a huge turnout from his
hometown Coolidge, Arizona.
“I'm 51 years old, making my last fight in front of my
hometown and for a Native promotion, this is a dream
come true,” Ritch said.
Ritch had his first MMA fight in 1991 when it was still
called No-Holds-Barred.
“I would go across the border, Nogales. We'd fight, Plaza de Toros, and they would have the chicken fights, the

dog fights, then the people would fight,” Ritch said.
He was the first Native American world champion
MMA fighter.
“I fought in New Mexico and it was for a Native promotion, and they had the first Native American championships for mixed martial arts. And I won and I went
through the tournament and won three fights in a row in
one night. And I got the belt,” Ritch said.
Now that he’s tapped out after 237 professional fights,
the most out of any MMA fighter, he’ll be exploring acting full-time.
“I got my SAG card. So now I'm an actor, stuntman,”
Ritch said.
He has a movie coming out with Mickey Rourke and
Michael Jai White in January called “The Commando”
and another coming out with Bruce Willis.
Indigenous MMA fighters battle in the cage - and on
pay-per-view
He says he does a lot of stunts but his upcoming roles
will have more lines. He also works for a private security
company and has worked for celebrities and politicians,
like Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.
Ritch shared a message for kids.
“Just because you're from a small town, doesn't mean
you are small town. You can do anything you want to do,
dream big because dreams come true,” he said.
Deran Martinez, Gila River, won his amateur title,
265 pound, matchup against George Sopi, Samoa from
Nānākuli, Oahu.
“I’ve talked about this, you know, coming and fighting
under a big card and I'm just pursuing it,” Martinez said.
He won the Indigenous title fight, taking home a belt
with the Man in the Maze engraved on it and is looking
forward to sharing his next steps.

“I'm excited for everyone to know, I'm excited to reach
a new level,” Martinez said. “I just want to thank (the)
Gila River Indian Community, again, all the rez boys and
rez girls. I'm going to do my best to go out and be a light
for everybody. And I'm excited.”
RUF Nation is a mixed martial arts league in Arizona and owners Joel Lopez, Adrian Romo and Anthony
Laso are from the Tohono O’odham Nation and take great
pride in their culture.
“There's a lot of values involved with fighting, but
most of all, the values of being O’odham we carry them
into our business as far as respecting everything and everybody. Himdag called our ways. Some of that is spilled
into our company too, building relationships. So again,
respect and it's tough to do that in this business, you
know,” Lopez said.
Ruff, Puff and Rumble was a first of its kind event.
RUF Nation collaborated with Trap Culture Promotions to host a cannabis expo before the MMA fights.
Lopez encourages therapeutic driven approaches to
healthcare because his grandmother was a Sobadora and
used it as a medicine, soaking it in alcohol and applying
it topically to clients she would massage.
The expo was in the parking lot of Celebrity Theatre
before the pay-per-view fights were underway.
“RUF Nation has grown and is growing. And it's multiplying, with audience, with fans, with fighters. We can't
keep up with fighters anymore,” Lopez said.
After the fights many celebrated at the Golden Margarita, including UFC fighter Nate Diaz who showed support
for Ritch and the other RUF Nation fighters.
For those who missed it, RUF Nation is offering access
to the Ruff, Puff and Rumble “replay”.

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

15

Braves bring chop to World Series
Charles Odum
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA — As the World Series shifts to Atlanta,
some TV viewers may be offended to see Braves fans
still chopping and chanting in force.
After teams in the NFL and Major League Baseball
have dropped names considered racist and offensive to
Native Americans the last two years, the Braves chop
on — with the support of baseball Commissioner Rob
Manfred.
What matters most to Manfred is the Braves have the
support of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, based
in North Carolina about three hours from Atlanta.
"The Native American community in that region is
wholly supportive of the Braves program, including the
chop," Manfred said Tuesday. "For me, that's kind of the
end of the story. In that market, we're taking into account
the Native American community."
Manfred's decision to accept input from only one Native American group doesn't sit well with the Oklahoma-based Muscogee Nation.
"I think on a subject like that and when you're dealing
with Indian country you have to look at it as a whole instead of one or two specific places," Jason Salsman, press
secretary for the Muscogee Nation, told The Associated
Press on Thursday.
"You have to look far and wide and how all Indian nations feel."
Richard Sneed, principal chief of the Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians, would like to see more outrage about
what he says are far bigger issues facing Native Americans, including poverty, unemployment, child abuse, sexual assaults and suicide.
"I'm not offended by somebody waving their arm at a
sports game," Sneed told the AP on Tuesday. "I'm just
not. If somebody is, that's their prerogative, it's their
right. They can be offended. ... I don't know very many,
maybe one or two, from my tribe who say, 'Yeah, I don't
like that.' But at the end of the day, we've got bigger issues to deal with."
Sneed said the problems with crime and poverty remain largely ignored when the national attention has been
on team names and the tomahawk chop.
"There's just so much happening and the frustrating
part for me as a tribal leader is when the only issue that
seems to be discussed is ... 'How offended are you by
the chop and should the Braves change their name?' ...
Really, it's the least of our problems, I guess is what I'm
saying."
There is no indication the Braves plan to change their
name or discourage the chop, which has been a tradition
for their fans since the early 1990s. Former Braves out-

fielder Deion Sanders is credited with bringing the chop,
which was part of his college football background at
Florida State, to Atlanta.
Sanders, now Jackson State's football coach, declined
an interview request from the AP.
The Braves are following the lead of Florida State and
the minor league Spokane Indians in nurturing relationships and developing support from local Native American groups.
The Braves temporarily attempted to deemphasize the
chop in the 2019 NL Division Series against St. Louis
after Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley, a member of the
Cherokee nation, said he found it insulting.
Following Helsley's complaint, the Braves stopped distributing the red foam tomahawks used by fans doing the
chop during the series. They also stopped having the accompanying music played to encourage the chant.
The coronavirus pandemic emptied stadiums and took
attention away from it.
Now fans have returned and the chop is fully revived,
complete with drumbeats, stadium music and the tomahawk images posted on video boards around Truist Park.
From Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to University of Georgia standout defensive tackle Jordan Davis to Braves
fans, there is widespread local support for the chop.
Kemp wrote "Chop On, and Go @Braves!" on his
Twitter account after Atlanta beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.
Davis, asked Monday if he was pulling for the Braves,
said: "Definitely. Chop on Braves. We're definitely rooting for them."
Braves fans even brought the chop and chant to Houston. A small number of fans began doing the chop when
the Braves took an early lead Tuesday night in Game 1
and remained in the stadium to pick up the chop again
following a 6-2 win.
No dissenting opinion on the chop could be found from
a line of fans who were waiting to buy World Series tickets Tuesday morning at Truist Park.
"It's freaking awesome," said Sarah Oldham. "I think
it's part of our winning strategy, making all that noise at
the stadium. It's like voodoo going on. I'd be afraid."
Said Caleb Godfrey, who works near Truist Park: "I
like it. I love it," when asked about the chop.
"I understand both sides of the argument for it and
against it, but I also don't feel like it's a (racial slur) scenario where it's offensive," Godfrey said.
The Braves declined to comment on their renewed support of the chop.
The NFL's Washington Football Team dropped the
R-word name. MLB's Cleveland Indians have announced Guardians as their new name. The NFL's Kansas
City Chiefs face pressure to discontinue the chop chant

by their fans.
Sneed said R-word was "the only name I felt was derogatory. Yeah, that's offensive. The rest of them never
really bothered me and still don't bother me to this day."
The Braves dedicated their July 17 game against Tampa
Bay to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The team
said the night will be an annual event designed in part to
educate fans on the history and culture of the group.
The Braves have placed a "We are still here" display
in their stadium's Monument Garden. The display is designed to educate fans on the EBCI's history.
Sneed said the Braves have "really been instrumental
and really a trailblazer in setting an example for using
their platform because it is a national platform and in
some cases international."
Manfred also praised the Braves, saying "they've done
a great job with the Native Americans" in the region.
"The Native American community is the most important group to decide whether it's appropriate or not and
they have been unwaveringly supportive of the Braves,"
Manfred said.
The Harrah's Cherokee Resort and Casino in Cherokee,
North Carolina, is a Braves sponsor.
"That's separate from what we do on the governmental
side," Sneed said, adding he and other elected officials on
the tribal council "don't have any input or any say in that."
The casino generates funds "so we have the resources
to really help our people, especially when dealing with
things like substance abuse, mental behavioral issues and
so forth," Sneed said. "So we're fortunate.
"But I'm also very cognizant of the fact there are ... a
lot of tribes that still live in abject poverty with extremely
high rates of unemployment."
Sneed said he sees the relationship with the Braves "as
one where it gives us a platform to be able to discuss the
issues that are really important to Indian Country and that
need to be addressed.
"They're not new issues for us. They're things that tribal
nations have dealt with really since government intervention and the Indian Removal Act and tribes being forced
off their reservations."
The support of Sneed's group means everything to
Manfred, who didn't waver when pressed on the Braves'
chop.
Might other Native Americans be offended by the
chop?
"I don't know how every Native American group
around the country feels," Manfred said. "I am 100% certain that the Braves understand what the Native American
community in their region believes and that they've acted
in accordance with that understanding."

Hopi Tutuveni November 3, 2021

16

Navajo Nation pushes for radioactive waste
remnants to be removed
The Northeast Church Rock Mine in October 2009. (Photo from the U.S. EPA)
Arlyssa Becenti
the northeast Churchrock mine and the Kerr-McGee
Source New Mexico
Quivira mines. Those are additional abandoned uranium
mines just a few steps away from the United Nuclear CorGALLUP – Navajo Nation continues to hold strong on poration’s mill site.
its stance against radioactive waste being dumped near
There are about 524 abandoned uranium mine sites
its lands, while also pushing for the waste to be removed on the Navajo Nation, and the tribe’s EPA says there are
completely.
likely more. Of these mines, 219 of them have available
The Church Rock uranium mill site is owned by United funds for cleanup and remediation efforts, leaving 305
Nuclear Corporation, and in 1979 this site is where 93 unaddressed sites that pose severe environmental and
million gallons of radioactive tailings were released into health dangers to surrounding areas and people.
the Pipeline Arroyo and Puerco River. This is the biggest
“The Navajo people have endured decades of radiation
radioactive spill in U.S. History.
exposure and contamination caused by uranium mining
It’s well-documented how this spill has impacted the and production, and continues to impact the health of inNavajo people, poisoning the water and land. But this is dividuals, families and communities,” said Navajo Presnot a devastation of the past, because waste remnants still ident Jonathan Nez during a recent meeting with the Red
exist. Where to dump those remnants is the issue before Water Pond Road Community Association. “We strongly
the Navajo Environmental Protection Agency and the oppose the proposed amendment that would allow the
Red Water Pond Road Community Association today.
transfer of uranium mine waste and contamination just a
Dariel Yazzie is the supervisor at Navajo Superfund short distance from the Navajo Nation and the homes of
Program within the Nation’s EPA. He said they are ask- our Navajo people.”
ing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to come back
Red Water Pond Road Community and many other
“and make more of an effort to convey at a higher level to Navajo communities have been severely impacted by
the community what is in the draft environmental impact the legacy of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. The
statement.”
draft environmental impact statement finds there were
The corporation that owns the site asked to amend its serious effects on groundwater, public and occupationsource material license for its former uranium mill north- al health, and historic and cultural resources from past
east of Gallup. The ​Nuclear Regulatory Commission pre- uranium activities at the Northeast Church Rock Mine
pared an environmental impact statement as part of its re- and the corporation’s mill site, Nez said in his April 2021
view of this request. If the license is amended, that would letter to the John Tappert, director of the Division of Deallow the corporation to transfer about 1 million cubic commissioning, Uranium Recovery and Waste Programs
yards of mine waste from its northeast mine to a location at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
that’s less than a mile from the uranium mill site and still
In April, the commission held a radio forum on KTNN,
on Navajo Nation trust land just south of the reservation. the radio station that serves the Navajo people, to inThe Church Rock uranium mill site is licensed by the form communities about the license amendment. Dumpcommission — and it’s a Superfund site identified and ing costs spurred the request to leave the waste near the
listed by the United States’ EPA.
Navajo Nation. It’s cheaper to transfer the waste down
The U.S. EPA defines the northeast mine as the highest the road at $44 million than to transport it to the nearest
priority for cleanup out of the abandoned uranium mines off-reservation facility at $293 million.
in the area because of its size and how close it is to the
“The U.S. EPA noted in its decision that the commucommunity.
nity and the Navajo Nation government had supported
The Red Water Pond Road Community sits between the transfer to a licensed repository further away from

the Navajo Nation,” said Ashley Waldron, environmental project manager for the commission during the radio
forum. “The U.S. EPA said it was not able to select this
option under Superfund criteria for its decision, which
included cost.”
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has failed to provide what the Navajo Nation has needed during this comment period, said Yazzie from the Navajo Nation EPA.
He said the NRC used the pandemic as an excuse not to
make more of an effort to visit Navajo Nation and talk
with the communities, and this was seen as problematic.
Also, the person the commission identified as a tribal liaison was clarified later on to actually be an administrative
liaison, and what exactly this individual’s job entailed
was never specified to Navajo Nation.
He never got their definition of the role this liaison
was supposed to be playing, he said. “To me the liaison
should’ve been the person packing all the draft EIS comments around, knocking on doors, making sure people
know what’s in the draft EIS. That didn’t happen.”
If waste were to be transferred to the Church Rock mill
site, it would be transported by dump trucks. The roads
used to get the waste to the mill site would be inaccessible to the public, except for one crossing at Highway 566,
Waldron said.
Regardless, people dislike the plan. “The community
still feels they don’t want the waste to go across the highway,” Yazzie said.
But that may not be of concern to the U.S. federal
government, he added, because after a May meeting, the
community was told that if they don’t support the license
amendment then they will have to wait another 10 years
to get the ball moving again on waste removal.
“We felt from the Navajo Nation that was inappropriate,” Yazzie said. “To say you won’t be able to get anything done for 10 years, that felt more like a threat to the
community. The community is frustrated it’s taken this
long.”
Navajo Nation will continue to discuss the proposed
plan and license amendment with the Red Water Pond
Community Association.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ahopi_arizona%3Ae2bae5ad846f8a17. Public record. Not legal advice.