Protecting the Sacred: Black Mesa Archeology Project

Today's radio show will feature many participants who will recap yesterday's Protest in Flagstaff, Arizona. "Rally Against the Theft of Antiquity - Stop Peabody’s Restraint on Black Mesa Navajo History" Why Protest: Millions of Indigenous remains, artifacts, and sacred objects have been desecrated by Peabody Energy's coal mining at Black Mesa, Arizona. Concerned Dine´ !(Navajos) and other indigenous rights supporters held a protest to expose Peabody's deliberate process of confiscating Indigenous History!! "With more community interest & support, Peabody can be stopped from desecrating more of the endless network of ancient dwelling sites. The less involvement by communities the more Peabody and their archaeologist (Black Mesa Archeology Project) will steal & profit, because cultural and human rights of the antiquities aren't being enforced." The people are protesting to raise awareness, the absence and removal of any public process attached to the regulatory and legal protection of intact and removed ancient sites are being found curated in collections! "BMAP's transfer was initiated before the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was created and when many of today’s tribal leaders were children." according to Brian Dunfee of Peabody Energy. !It wasn’t until after the permit was issued that confirmation of the "collection" was formally announced at the true locations and facilities. To date, there has not been an inventory conducted of the BMAP “artifacts” that complies with current laws regarding protection of Indian "artifacts.” BMAP includes 1.3 million "artifacts" currently held at two American universities.