The Dine’ (Navajo) of Black Mesa (AZ) continue to resist forced relocation and hold back the coal companies that want to strip mine their land. The consistent rain and snow this past winter have been hard on many of the families living on Black Mesa, especially the elders. But the desert thrives on water; there are many healthy new lambs and baby goats, as the life and land continue to cycle and regenerate. The families are thankful and excited about spring planting and there is much work to be done!

This spring, many fields left fallow will be planted. April is the time for preparing them for planting. This involves fixing fences, clearing out brush, and fixing water damage. May is the season for shearing the sheep and planting the fields with corn, squash, melons, etc.

Volunteers are needed to travel to Black Mesa, in the spring or any time of year. You can come alone or as a pair for a longer duration, or as an organized work crew for a shorter time. Bring tools if you can: Hand shears for sheering sheep, steel files, shovels, picks, axes, mattocks, posthole diggers, a roll of barbed wire, fence posts, leather gloves, heavy duty hoes, fencing pliers, and some single-axe & shovel handles.

Since establishing a routine is demanding on the host family, folks are encouraged to stay a minimum of three weeks. If you are not able to make this time commitment, check in with Black Mesa Indigenous Support (BMIS) about organizing a work crew to stay a minimum of several days to a week.

If you are interested in traveling to Black Mesa as a supporter, thoroughly read the Cultural Sensitivity & Preparedness Booklet and fill out the supporter application form on the BMIS web site.