"On Dec. 31, our small Hopi grass-roots organization will have accomplished something quite extraordinary: We will have forced the world's largest coal company to end its plundering of our waters. When the pumps stop, a beautiful silence will descend upon our sacred land, and we will rejoice.

In our small way, we changed history. Those who have and would continue to turn our ancestral homes into lands of national sacrifice were brought to a halt.

Our voices were heard and, against all odds, the power of our teachings and our faith in our religion and science prevailed.

We will win - and, as with all victories, there is a price. We cannot again shrink from our responsibilities; we cannot simply return to business as usual.

We cannot again fall asleep. We must continue to speak out for balance and sustainability, for the well-being of a living and sacred Earth. We fully realize the closures of Mohave and the Peabody coal mine will cause severe economic consequences for our people."

Get the Story:
Vernon Masayesva: Closing power plant is first step in new era of energy (The Arizona Republic 11/3)

Relevant Links:
Hopi Tribe - http://www.hopi.nsn.us
Peabody Energy - http://www.peabodyenergy.com

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DOI office concludes field hearings on Peabody permit (01/20)
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