After three broken promises, and a lot of phone calls and e-mails from everyone, the administration of Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly finally released the memorandum of understanding between themselves and a Scottsdale-based development firm that proposes a major tourist resort near the Grand Canyon’s “east rim.”
The MOU is a non-binding document that authorizes the exploration of the possibilities of the proposed development.
But, the Shelly administration and its development partner have seemed to do their best to try to exclude the people most affected by the MOU. From browbeating and disingenuous telephone calls to downright reneging on earlier promises to provide the document, the Shelly administration has exhibited what amounts to a bad-faith effort to include the key stakeholders who have been battling to preserve their unique way of live near the east rim.
Negotiations with the developer, on Monday in Scottsdale, were billed as “private.” Those most affected were excluded.
Reporters from major news media have contacted national environmental groups, who are now commenting on the proposal. Their reactions are soon to be out in stories in the coming week.
All the people of the Confluence want is to have a say in how they would be affected by the tribe’s decision to steamroll over them.
That’s only fair, given that for 50 years The Bennett Freeze, imposed by a federal judge, prevented the people from thriving on their homeland. Once the freeze was lifted, residents had hoped to rebuild their homes. Instead, they are battling for their lives and their homes, against their own government.