Pssst! Tell them it's too late!
Sunday, October 23, 2005
A recent proposal to use treated wastewater in the production of artificial snow for a ski resort has some Indian tribes upset.
In the view of American Indians here, the spirits that inhabit the San Francisco Peaks, towering 12,000-foot-plus mountains rising from the desert here, certainly did not appreciate it when a ski run was built a quarter of a century ago on one slope.Have these guys ever heard of the water cycle? "The water in the apple you ate yesterday may have fallen as rain half-way around the world last year or could have been used 100 million years ago by Mama Dinosaur to give her baby a bath." Or worse.
So, imagine, tribal leaders say, what the spirits will think -- or worse, do -- when treated wastewater is piped up from Flagstaff and sprayed on the mountain so the resort, the Arizona Snowbowl, can make more snow to ski on. A lawyer for one of the tribes likened it to "pouring dirty water on the Vatican"
Interestingly, something that happens in nature already (i.e., the separation of water molecules from waste) is being damned when man does it himself -- or it surely would be if these kibbitzers actually knew something about the forces of nature they hold in such high esteem.
-- CAV
2 comments:
Gus, how thought-provoking! Like 99% of Americans not descended from our native indian neighbors, I respect their heritage and can count a few as great friends, so hope this does not sound too critical of them.
First, how did the American indians manage tribal, human wastes? None got into waterways or was washed away by downpours, or uncovered by melting snow? Were they burying it into the underground watertable, perhaps? Did they have a better process than our treatment plants, which simply mimic and accelerate nature's proven, best practices.
Secondly, there might be more appreciation for litigation like this if American Indians actually performed noticeable roles in the management of our National Park system. From entry-level to cabinet level position we do not see them much. Are they simply disinterested in that line of work(rhetorical), are they insulted by the stereotype of environmental concern (they brought up the sacred mountain, afterall), or do they need a hiring preference?
Vigilis,
As someone who has a decent amount of Cherokee blood, stories like this almost make it embarrassing to admit that I'm part Indian.
But then, the racial/cultural element of this story is really background noise as the story of Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary shows.
"[Sequoyah] became obsessed with developing a new Cherokee alphabet writing system because he knew it would help his people. Sequoyah became a recluse in his obsession to perfect the writing system. He endured constant ridicule by friends and even family members, who said he was insane or practicing witchcraft."
Innovators have always had to fight against ignorance. Now, thanks to the politically correct form of racism known as multiculturalism, this behavior can masquerade anger about as a legitimate grievance.
Gus
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