"I attended the signing ceremony last Friday between the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

What started out as a solemn and historic affair quickly turned into a circus when Congressman Rick Renzi entered the room with none other than Don King waving American flags shouting, "Vote for Rick Renzi! Vote for Rick Renzi!"

As an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe, I was appalled and insulted by the insensitivity and disrespect shown by Renzi and King, not only to the dignitaries of both tribes but to the purpose of the affair. Renzi used this important and historic affair to conduct his campaign, distracting from the event at the expense of the tribes."

Get the Story:
Bonnie Talakte: Renzi's insensitivity was insult to tribes (The Arizona Republic 11/8)

Senate Bill:
Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Amendments of 2005 (S.1003)

Relevant Documents:
Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on S. 1003, Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Amendments of 2005 (July 20, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Hopi Tribe - http://www.hopi.nsn.us
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Black Mesa Indigenous Support, Navajo family support site - http://www.blackmesais.org

Related Stories:
Editorial: Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation settle dispute (11/6)
Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe to sign agreement (11/3)
Hopi Tribe approves agreement with Navajo Nation (10/13)
Navajo president signs Hopi land agreement (10/2)
Navajo-Hopi land agreement moves forward (9/27)
Navajo-Hopi land agreement up for review (9/26)
Deal to settle Navajo-Hopi dispute rejected (08/24)
Deal reportedly near on Hopi-Navajo dispute (8/18)
Navajo Nation moves to fight land dispute bill (07/27)
Navajo-Hopi land conflict still stirs hard feelings (07/07)
Hopis, Navajos divided over land dispute measure (06/23)
Listening Lounge: Hearing on Navajo-Hopi land act (6/21)
House Resources hearing on Navajo-Hopi land bill (6/20)
Navajo woman refuses to leave home on Hopi land (02/06)
McCain prods tribes, government on tribal land dispute (07/22)
Senate hearing on Navajo-Hopi land settlement bill (7/21)
Navajos oppose McCain bill on Navajo-Hopi settlement (7/15)