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.
#JacobJohns update - posted 10/9/2023 by fundraiser organizer Carlos Martinez
"UPDATE: Spoke with Jacob Johns family for the first time since the shooting.
"As today marks #IndigenousPeoplesDay, Jacob's family wanted to send a message to please continue to pray for him. As of this morning 10/09/2023, he awaits his health improving, so doctors can proceed with 3rd surgery since the shooting. They are asking everyone to please end the violence and hate towards all #IndigenousPeoples, not just today but everyday. It was his honor to stand as a peacekeeper for his #Tewa brothers and sisters and their children. They send thanks to everyone that got involved and saved his life. His family also wanted to thank everyone that has donated to help him on this long and tough recovery process, and asked for us all to bring logic to chaos.
"We were able to see Jacob via video and he is having fevers due to losing functionality of some organs, difficulty breathing due to wounds inflicted on his chest and lungs, and is facing an unknown amount of surgeries on his very long road to recovery. We ask that everyone please continue to keep him in your prayers, and media to be patient with requests as Jacob's care and safety is the first concern.
Thank you."
As of today, 10/10/2023, the fundraiser is up to $245,888 ($250,000 goal). Thanks to everyone who has donated and shared this. Please keep Johns in your thoughts (and prayers). He has a long way to go...
"In New Mexico, a 23-year-old gunman wearing a red MAGA hat opened fire last week on #JacobJohns and other Indigenous activists opposing plans to reinstall a statue honoring the 16th century conquistador Juan de Oñate, New Mexico’s first colonial governor. Johns, the prominent climate activist, was airlifted from Española to an Albuquerque hospital and required emergency surgery. We speak with Malaya Peixinho, who participated in Thursday’s gathering, about how the statue of the colonial leader has divided the local community. 'It is a really controversial thing to talk about #Oñate,' says Peixinho, who believes funds for the statue could go to social programs instead. 'That feels more important than funding a statue being resurrected.' The shooter, Ryan Martinez, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for shooting Johns and aiming the gun at Peixinho, who calls the charges 'fair' and blames police for not intervening. 'They didn’t show up for us,' says Peixinho."