Black Mesa deserves special
protection.
It deserves our utmost reverence.
It is our sacred homeland...a learning plaza for all.
We are taught that our ancestors (moti sinom) journeyed
through three worlds. We believe Black Mesa is the final
destination of our migrating ancestors. Here, on the
fingertips of Black Mesa, our ancestors met Ma’saw
and agreed to help steward the land in return for permission
to remain here.
They were shown three simple things; an ear of corn,
a gourd of water, and a planting stick. They were then
instructed and challenged to create a truly sustainable
society using these three things as cornerstones. This,
we believe, was the beginning of the Fourth World of
the Hopi.
We believe Black Mesa represents the earth center,
(Tuuwanasavi). Underneath lies untold wealth, which
if used creatively with corn (mother), water (lifeblood),
and planting stick (technology), will sustain future
generations of our children forever.
We believe Black Mesa handprint represents the spirit
of Poqanghoya, (a weaver). Together with his twin brother,
Paloqaawhoya (echoer), they work to keep the earth in
balance.
We believe all waters: the acquifers, the springs,
the lakes, the rivers, the oceans, the rain, the snow
are joined together. All work in harmony to sustain
life.
We believe the acquifer breathes. They breathe in the
rain and snow and breathe it out. The springs are breathing
holes...passageways toPaatuuwaqatsi. Over 30 years of
groundwater pumping by Peabody has weakened the water
pressure and weakened its breathing, causing many of
our springs and washes to dry up.
We believe humankind is a participant
in water-life, Paatuuwaqatsi. We are of clouds and the
clouds are of us. How we behave influences rain, snow
and hence the “hydrolic cycle and balance”.
If our thoughts are bad, only the wind will come when
we dance. If our hearts come together, rain will come.
We believe it is time for every Hopi to
Unite in defense of sacred waters. Our ultimate punishment,
if we fail to protect our land and waters, is prophesized
in an ancient Wuuchim prophecy song:
One day you will sell rain water
Springs will dry up, then
Your exodus will begin
With “tin-cups” in hand
Looking for water where springs once ran healthy
Now dead.
We believe time has come for ALL Hopis to begin learning
and trusting the wisdom of our ancestors...to be challenged
by the knowledge (Navoti), and to challenge peoples
of the world to unite in weaving the next world prophesized
to come. It is our hope that the Fifth world will be
fashioned by harmonic blending of ancient knowledge
and modern sciences.
Black Mesa deserves special protection.
It deserves our utmost reverence. It is our sacred homeland...a
learning plaza for all.
The Mission of the Black Mesa Trust is
to safeguard, preserve and honor the land and waters
of Black Mesa. We work toward creating a region where
generations of Hopi and Dineh people can live and thrive
in harmony with all of nature.
Black Mesa Trust is an organization born
out of concern for the depleting water supply and it’s
long range implications for the health and viability
of the Black Mesa ecosystem and native people. We are
dedicated to bringing back the traditional water ethics
that have sustained our people for millenniums and creating
new ways of caring for and healing the water...the lifeblood
of all living things.
At its essence, the Black Mesa Trust is
about harnessing the lessons of traditional knowledge
with western science and technology to create a permanent
homeland for generations of children yet to come. It
is our hope that our families will always enjoy the
wide and open spaces, deep canyons, majestic mesas and
clear air and waters that characterize our sacred homeland.