Navajo Family Stands Strong Against Proposed Twin Arrows Casino

Navajo Family Stands Strong Against Proposed Twin Arrows Casino

Navajo Nation violating the fundamental individual rights, human rights, homesite and grazing rights says family

By Calvin Johnson, Navajo
caljohnson2006@yahoo.com

LEUPP, Ariz. -- According to the Associated Press released Wednesday, March 3, 2010, “the Navajo Nation announced it was planning a $180 million green and environmentally friendly resort and casino," east of Flagstaff directly in the back yard of Scott’s Family homestead.
The AP also reports that the “resort-casino will feature a golf course, hotel rooms and a store selling native arts and crafts.”
“I was not surprised to hear that the Navajo Nation is proceeding with this casino even with the inaccurate reporting and very strong objections of our whole family,” said Rena Abeyta.
“First it was 100 acres, now it is 300 acres, this 'donation of land' has never been approved by us.”
Betty Scott, the matriarch of the family said, "My daughters have a homesite lease out here, my son has a homesite lease and we all have been overlooked by the chapter. The Navajo Nation keeps saying I am the only one that lives here, that’s not true.”
The Scott Family is made up of over 61 members from aunts and uncles to great grandchildren. They have 4 approved home site leases and additional pending near the proposed site of the casino. The total count of the number of homesites in the immediate area has been overlooked by the Navajo Nation, including Leupp Chapter. To date, the Scott family say that the Navajo Nation is proposing the casino without any paperwork such as the Marketing Study, Environmental Impact Study, Social Impact Study, Cultural Impact Study, Archaeological Studies, and last but not least, the approval of the Scott Family.
Furthermore, Abeyta said, “The Navajo Nation is and will be violating our fundamental individual rights, human rights, homesite and grazing rights which entitles us to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness if the proposed casino continues.”
“Our family and I will continue to say no to the proposed casino and the all mighty Navajo Nation will not force us to move nor will our rights be violated for the sake of money,” said Betty Scott.