This letter is in response to your letter of May 14. I agree that a comprehensive settlement of issues between the Navajo and Hopi is desirable and I appreciate your efforts in working toward that goal.

I have repeatedly suggested that after all HPL residents desiring to move have done so, the Hopi should try to work out a residency permit, life estate or small land exchange for those still left. If a samll land area at the Big Mountain site could be exchanged for other unoccupied Navajo land, this might solve some of the problems. However, I believe the only alternation of the 1974 Act or resolution of the 1934 dispute will happen through negotiations of both Tribes. Our role could be that of mediator or observor but only if both Tribes agreed.

My sister, daughter and I have no place to go. We hear it's difficult to obtain lands to live on elsewhere. We grow fruits and vegetables at our small farm plot near our residence here in Howell Mesa. Some of our children have moved away.

I am a 84 year old widow. My husband is buried near my farm plot. I cannot move away from here. This is why I do not want to relocate. Even if I were to relocate, I will not be able to cope with it.

My children have moved away despite my pleas to them to stay. We now have only a few sheep.

In closing, I appeal to you for help in finding a way to allow me to stay in Howell Mesa.

Congressman Morris Udall

c/o Mr. Alex Skibine

Staff Counsel

Cmte. on Interior and Insular

Affairs

Washington, D.C. 20515

July 14, 1986

Dear Congressman Udall,

There are no lands to move to. I was born here in Howell Mesa. My umbiblical cord is buried nearby. I do not intend to move anywhere. My ancestors are buried in this area. reason I will not relocate.

For this

The crops that we grow on our form is our only source of food, our once large sheep herd is decimated. We have no firewood because our neighbors prohibit us from gathering it. Our water supply is sometimes cut off. We have to truck in water from Tuba City. The Hopis do this to us, probably to feed water line systems they've developed nearby.

Life here is ideal, despite the ever present spectre of relocation. We make potteries, wedding baskets, utilizing native plants. We are not so dependent on money income.

I intend to stay here, and even though I am told to relocate. Therefore, I request your help in resolving the relocation issue in our favor.

Congressman Morris Udall

c/o Mr. Alex Skibine

Staff Counsel

Omte. on Interior and Insular

Affairs

Washington, D.C. 20515

July 15, 1986

Dear Congressman Udall,

The

Please help me. The land I live on is being disputed. relocation deadline is here, I don't know what will happen. have no place to go, no place to move. I used to survive on livestock, but now I only have a few. There is no place to take them.

I am 65 years old and don't understand English. Because I don't understand English, I am unable to live anywhere but here. Please consider any means to let me stay.

Hunger, poverty, and mental stress are sapping at my strength. Now, I am not strong anymore. I cannot lift heavy items. I cannot walk far, I have to rely on my horse for local transportation. Therefore, please help me. Do all things possible to help me.

Ram Herder

Box 578

(his thumbprint)

Tuba City, AZ 86045

SUBJECT: NAVAJO/HOPI LAND SETTLEMENT ACT

WHEREAS the unity we find in Christ recognizes that "we are neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female", and;

WHEREAS our Social Principles (1980) read "The conditions of Indian people continue to deteriorate on a national and international level through the genocidal policies of various governments and regimes in the Western Hemisphere, through land and resource acquisition by multinational corporations, sterilization, mass murder, and the denial of religious freedom. "and;

WHEREAS the Navajo/Hopi Land Settlement Act (P.L. 93-531) passed by Congress in 1974 has caused crave hardship among the 13,000 Navajo people dislocated from their land and threatens the traditional lifestyle of both the Navajo and Hopi people, and;

WHEREAS the settlement act is significantly motivated by economic gains by energy production firms seeking easier access to coal and uranium, and;

WHEREAS the government has failed to provide promised land for relocation and has forced Navajo people into non-traditional lifestyles in Gallup and Flagstaff leading to many cases of destitution, Hopi lifestyles are equally threatened, and;

WHEREAS attempts have been made to soften the impact by involving the B.I.A. in relocation procedures, and most recently by the introduction of Public Law 96305 by Morris Udahl, but these attempts do not address the whole problem. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Desert Southwest Annual Conference calls upon the Congress of the U.S. to repeal the Land Settlement Act (P.L. 93-531), and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we notify the congressional representatives and Senators representing the people within the bounds of the Annual Conference of our position, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our Conference Board of Global Ministries, in cooperation with the Boards of adjoining states and the National brand and pastors and manisters serving in the area, advocate with and on behalf of the Navajo and Hopi people for a just settlement of this issue, and;

40 IT PURIMER RESOLVED that the Dasar Southwest Annual Conface encourage local church members to study the issue and a Wdress their congressional representatives.