KINŁÁNÍ-DOOK’O’OOSŁÍÍD – "Klee Benally died the morning of Dec. 31, 2023. He was 48.
"Benally’s family will be having a family meeting later today to share a formal announcement of Benally’s life, according to an #IndigenousAction social media post.
"Benally was from #Dziłyíjiin, Arizona. He was from the Tódích’íi’nii and #WanderingPeople clans. He relocated to #Kinłání, where he proudly stood tall with Dook’o’oosłííd.
"In his last interview with the Navajo Times on Dec. 7, Benally credited his father, #JonesBenally, a respected and known #hataałii, who shared the #Diné traditions and culture with him.
"Klee Benally’s teachings growing up laid a foundation for who he was as a Diné and led to him fighting for the sacred Dook’o’oosłííd.
"'For Diné people, it represents a part of our cosmology and being,' Benally said on Dec. 7.
'Each mountain is a part of our creation account set forward for our boundaries, Diné Bikéyah, where we walk around.'
"Benally described the mountains as leaders that hold and share teachings for Diné.
"Countless comments from people who knew and followed Benally shared their sudden sadness but described Benally as a 'one-of-a-kind' wise son, brother, uncle, or grandpa.
"Along with fighting for sacred elements, Benally was an #artist in many mediums, writer, musician, and filmmaker.
"On Thursday, Dec. 21, Benally launched his book, '#NoSpiritualSurrender,' released in November.
"The book delves into Benally’s experience fighting for sacred places and why he does it to protect #nahasdzáán.
"Benally recounted the many times he had been #arrested in the Dec. 7 interview, along with tying himself to heavy machinery to send a message that he wasn’t going anywhere for the land’s sake.
"Benally’s work reflected his dedication and understanding of fighting for land and its #IndigenousPeoples.
"Benally worked endlessly for the community and land, which are grateful to have been protected by a dedicated Diné."
This hits home for me. I worked with Klee's family and provided #MutualAid when I was reporting on #BigMountainResistance years ago. My heart goes out to the Benally family and all those whose lives he touched. #RestInPower Klee. Link to fundraisers via #IndigenousAction at the end of the post.
"Our hearts are broken by the sudden passing of our friend Klee Benally. Reflecting on Klee's life, we remember the words of #CheGuevara that the true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.
"Klee never surrendered, he never surrendered to #capitalism, the media, or the forces of conformity that sought to change who he was.
"Ultimately, Klee taught us to regain our power, regardless of the road that led us to the present.
"#LouiseBenally, #Dine' of Big Mountain, said, 'Klee was our spokesman and leader. His departure only means we have to rise and carry on the work for justice for #nature and humanity. I will miss him Greatly and Honor him highly.'
"His roots come from Big Mountain, grandson of the late #RobertaBlackgoat.
"'He was an honorable young leader, well respected and moved with a lot of compassion. My nephew brother and my leader. A truly beautiful and amazing person who really lived up to his beliefs, and was not driven by money but by needs and concern, a real warrior.
"'He was our shining Star, he will continue to shine on us from the other side.
"'He always honored me, I will miss that,' Louise said.
"#MichelleCook, Dine', said, "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news of the passing of our beloved warrior Klee Benally. We ask for prayers for his family during this time. For decades Klee led an uncompromising position, for the liberation of our peoples and lands developing and synthesizing an embodied praxis of #Indigenous-based political, economic, and social resistance against all forms of #SettlerColonialism that degrades people and the planet.
"Klee was our North Star guiding with his heart and mind. While some may not have shared his positions, no one can question his dedication, determination, and sheer drive to protect his people despite the risks and danger.
"He risked his life through forms of #CivilDisobedience and #DirectAction to protect our Dook’o’oosłiid, #HolyMountain, from development to maintain our ceremonial practices and way of life.
"Klee taught us all to be brave to fight against #genocide, the co-optation of our movements by the non-profit #IndustrialComplex. To be steadfast in what is right and wrong. To honor our ancient law and the sacred teachings of our ancestors and Grandmothers. His departure leaves a void in #DinehNation and #IndianCountry," Michelle said.
"Now with his absence from this material plane, we have no choice but to pick up his work, pick up the slack, carry on, and continue our journey as Dineh in a beautiful way.
"Klee's development and articulations of Indigenous peoples and archaism remain relevant for social movements within and outside of #TurtleIsland.
"He will forever remain in our hearts and minds as a guiding light and a growling voice, screaming freedom, for our earth and peoples. We love you Klee.
"Rest now our sacred warrior. Your work is done. We are so proud of the legacy you cultivated and left for this world. Journey well our sweet warrior until we meet again in the great Star Camp beyond," Michelle said.
"Klee passed to the Spirit World on Sunday, after being hospitalized.
"We send our sincere condolences to his family, his wife Princess, family Jones, Berta, Jeneda and Clayson, and all those who knew and loved him.
"From locking down in U.S. #BorderPatrol headquarters in Tucson, to chaining himself to equipment in defense of Sacred San Francisco Peaks, to battling the auctioneers of the sacred ceremonial items in Paris, and leading the #HaulNo movement to protect the #GrandCanyon region from #UraniumMining, to feeding the #unsheltered in Flagstaff, and standing strong for #Palestine, Klee's powerful actions remain a moving force to resound, and rivet us all, to struggle for a world without compromise.
"Klee recognized that the non-profit industry was designed to water down the resistance and turn the sacred movements into an ATM machine for a select few.
Moe mai rā, e te rangatira. Klee Benally died this morning. He was Díne, anarchist, land defender, author, Podcaster, punk, musician, artist, and so much more.
Like Aragorn! Bang before him, Klee tackled the intersection between indigeneity and anarchism and very recently published a book titled, 'No Spiritual Surrender: Indigenous Anarchy in Defense of the Sacred' with Detritus Books.
I had no had an opportunity to share kōrero with Klee other than through short comments on Instagram. But I had been looking forward to getting to know him as an indigenous anarchist myself.
I give a big mihi to his loved ones and whānau, both biological and chosen, and will continue on my own haerenga taking Klee's words and wisdom along with me.
Rejecting the Catholic Church’s “Repudiation” of the Doctrine of Discovery
"On March 30th, 2023 a joint statement was released by administrative departments of the Vatican City-State condemning “acts of violence, oppression, social injustice and slavery, including those committed against indigenous peoples.” The Catholic Church stated that it “…repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery’.”
We are used to the deceptions of the church, this “repudiation” is no exception.
We are used to the deceptions of the church, this “repudiation” is no exception.
The words of the Catholic Church are nothing more than an attempt to damage control and downplay their genocidal legacy while obscuring their ongoing benefit from and perpetuation of colonial violence."
Another end of the world is possible: #indigenous solidarity and blocking extractive infrastructure in Canada
"Not only can blockades “shut down the world”, they also open up space for a new one to be built, or in the case of colonized peoples, a world restored. We can look to many of the indigenous blockades or occupations of the last several decades for the examples of ceremonial, culinary, and other socially reproductive practices that point toward new ways of living which are themselves produced through resistance. Similarly, we see the revitalization of warrior culture being expressed at Standing Rock and other moments of indigenous revolt to be indicative of a broader possibility of life without the state or capitalism.
We hold evident that blockades are a crucial tactic in our war against planetary annihilation. With this tactical imperative, we call on all warriors and revolutionaries around the world to immediately orient themselves around blockading infrastructure. Collectives must research infrastructure to find the most vulnerable chokepoints and get organized to block them in effective ways. Those without fighting comrades can still contribute by engaging in lone wolf acts of sabotage. – Disrupt the Flows: War Against DAPL and Planetary Annihilation"
“The question is no longer one of theory, but of practice: How to blockade the flows of capitalism as to halt ecological degradation and human exploitation? It may end with generalised social war, but it begins with groups of friends. Hand in hand, bands of friends can co-ordinate to halt the flow of commodities and carbon. Flexing their muscles, perhaps just first for an hour. Then a day. Then a month. The goal: forever.” –
Introduction to the Apocalypse
Warrior Up is a research project open to any anonymous input, turning an eye towards the infrastructures and extractive industries that the capitalist economy depends upon – how they function, and how they are vulnerable to direct action.
It is inspired by the infrastructural sabotage carried out by indigenous warriors in the territory dominated by the Canadian state during land and water defense in the last decades. We want to be a resource for anarchists and other rebels carrying out actions against the economy of death – how can we make these actions more effective, safe, creative, and reproducible?
We need the help of all the brilliant troublemakers in the international anarchist space to make this resource more relevant and comprehensive."
"Warrior Up is a research project open to any anonymous input, turning an eye towards the infrastructures and extractive industries that the capitalist economy depends upon – how they function, and how they are vulnerable to direct action.
It is inspired by the infrastructural sabotage carried out by indigenous warriors in the territory dominated by the Canadian state during land and water defense in the last decades. We want to be a resource for anarchists and other rebels carrying out actions against the economy of death – how can we make these actions more effective, safe, creative, and reproducible?
We need the help of all the brilliant troublemakers in the international anarchist space to make this resource more relevant and comprehensive."