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Issues- Press Releases from Hotevilla Priesthood Assembly
January 6, 1997- In a historic meeting held on Jan 5, 1997 at the
Kokop clan house in Hotevilla, members of the four Hopi religious priesthoods decided
to restrict access to the village. Severe limitations were put on new-age interpretation
and appropriation of Hopi religious practices which include the disassembling of their
shrines on Hotevilla lands. They also agreed to expose self appointed leaders and
spokespersons of Hotevilla.
Kyashongewma, Neil Kayquoptewa who called for the meeting stated, "All my life we
here in Hotevilla have been plagued byself appointed leaders who have created confusion
in this village with the support of outsiders. We have talked about meeting on this for
a number of years and now the priesthood members have made their decision."
Neil, who is 82 years old has been appointed through traditional practices to lead
the village through the current cycle. It was decided to invoke the kiva practices which
require each member to state his position and truth from the authority of the kivainto
which they have been initiated, which is also considered his home.
STATEMENT of WIWIMKYAM of Hotevilla: OUR TUNATYA
We the ordained members of the first Wimi, the original religious instructions, have
gathered on this day of January 5, 1997 at the Kokop clan house in Hotevilla. In
consultation among the four priesthoods: Aalt, Wuwuchim, Tataukyam and Kwakwant.
Together we set forth our tunatya, our wishes :
- That all people outside of our village and our jurisdiction stop interfering in
our religious affairs and religious practices and that the village ceremonial and
religious events are closed to non-Hopis.
- That all non-Hopi shrines be obliterated from Hotevilla lands
That self designated religious leaders be exposed and stopped.
- That all people accepting our hospitality learn and accept our ways of proper
conduct and respect before entering our village.
Signatories:
Josovi Kiva-Wuwuchim members
Kyashhongewma- Neil Kayquaptewa, and Tsosyumptewa- Franklin Suhu
Kwan Kiva -Kwakwant members
Roger Nasevaema, Wilton Kooyahoema, Enos Selestewa, Hugh Tenakhongva
Hawiovi Kiva -Wuwuchim members
Dan Evehema,Wuwuchim Member absent Declines to sign
StanleyDash,Wuwuchim Member
Nasavi Kiva-Aalt member
Leslie Kootshongsie,
Tsukiva-Wuwuchim members
Humihoima-Simon Wuwuchim, Homer Koyiyumptewa, Posiwyawma-Carrol (in rest home)
Tao Kiva-Tao members
Wesley Honanie, Poleykuiva Matthew (absent) Paul Sewemaenewa (absent)
HOTEVILLA WIWIMKYAM ASSEMBLY
Press Release-1/20/97 HOTEVILLA, AZ.-In a follow up meeting, member's of
Hotevilla's four religious fraternities( Aalt, Wuwuchimt, Tatawkaymt, Kwakwant)
confirmed that the village is closed to those who have shown disregard and disrespect
during religious and ceremonial activities at Hotevilla, including certain individuals
and/or outside groups who continue to cause disruption and confrontation.
Elaborating on the restrictions they reminded the people that a Hopi is one who
has received the full religious instructions. After that a Hopi is one whose mother is
Hopi. Recognizing other Indians who have been initiated into the Katsina society, they
are reminded they have privilege and a reason to be present at the ceremonies. In-laws
were also included in those invited to be present at the ceremonies. Finally those type
of relationships that promote good and respectful exchanges between Hotevilla Sinom and
Non-Hopit were encouraged.
The recent developments are a direct result of years of abuse from outsiders who
have made Hotevilla religious and ceremonial activities a spectacle. Non-Hopi have
come to Hotevilla in the past and have followed religious processions too closely,
imitated Hopi religious/ ceremonial activities, i.e., Paho (Prayer Feather) and
shrine making, which shows disrespect for Hopi traditions and culture. Some Non-Hopi
have taken various religious items from Hopi shrines and illegally bought old Hopi
artifacts, some of which had high religious significance.
A priority is the matter of individuals and groups who have used the name Hotevilla
and/or Hopi to promote themselves, their causes and organizations without acknowledging
respected and accepted community practices. These people have appropriated Hotevilla
traditional/ religious Navoti (knowledge) for self promotion and personal economic gain.
The Wiwimkyam want the public to know that certain individuals and groups must be
exposed and the public record set straight on these people.
The group restated their authority as originating from the assembly of Wiwimkyam
and not one single individual. They wanted this repeated and understood.
A deliberate accounting of their positions on these matters will be released in
a thoughtful manner. A public meeting is anticipated soon. Meanwhile the Hotevilla
Community development office has been designated as the information referral center.
For more information call: 520-734-2420.
HOTEVILLA WIWIMKYAM ASSEMBLY
Hotevilla. Press Release-2/4/97
Following the recent night dances at Hotevilla it has become clear that Martin
Gasweseoma and Dan Evehema will continue to encourage their supporters to defy the
assembly of Wiwimkyam. Unwelcome individuals attended the dances in Hawiovi Kiva and
outside, in direct defiance of the closure terms. In response to these individuals
and their supporters the Wiwimkyam assembly are resolved to expose the reckless
behavior of these two self-appointed chiefs.
Martin and Dan do not hold any positions of religious authority in Hotevilla.
Succession to leadership positions in Hotevilla areas follows: The Kikmongwi
(village chief) and the Wim Momgwit (high priests) hold life long positions or
until they no longer can perform the physical requirements of their position.
They are selected while in the mother's womb. They are ordained in a hair washing
ritual by the Kwakwant. Then they are instructed in the physical, natural and
spiritual laws of the Land and their responsibilities to the people, by the assembly
of high priests at the Kokop Clan house, wherein resides Masau. This same assembly
removes irresponsible leaders. Martin and Dan have never gone through this process.
No Bear Clan person has been Kikmongwi at Hotevilla. Poliwuhioma from the Bluebird
Clan has served as Kikmongwi, during Patcavu. He passed this on to Siwihoima who
then instructed Lomahoima. Yukioma and Pongyayawma (Kokop Clan uncle and nephew)
have served
as caretakers of the land, beyond the village proper, through safekeeping of the
stone tablets, holding them in trust for the people. These tablets provides safe
passage for the people so they have served the people in the village and throughout
Hopi lands, through this service. This has been the leadership at Hotevilla.
Martin and Dan are aware of their responsibilities in the community which does
not include the authority to speak for the people. Dan claims Greasewood Clan,
Katsina and Snake leadership and holds none of these but only membership in the
Wuwuchim and in that membership he takes direction from the Wuwuchim at the Mong
(Chief) Kiva. He has never been seen smoking and praying at the Katsin-ki, or any
other Kiva during religious events, nor at community events such as weddings.
Both know that a Hopi leader stays at home, available to the community but
Martin's trips abroad selling his message are well known and Dan is seldom seen
in the village. Both are engaged in Paho making outside of religiously prescribed
places andtimes. Persons not entitled to this ritual are learning from them and so
are engaged in the mockery of original, accepted practices.
Martin and Dan try to emulate Yukioma's resolve never to accept the Whiteman's
goods. The White men arrive daily at Martin's house with material goods. Dan seeks
contributions over the Internet. Thomas Banyacya, Manuel Hoyungowa, Rena Murillo,
Emory Holmes and non-Hopis Katherine Chesire (founder of Touch the Earth Foundation),
Thomas E. Mails (author of Hotevilla, The Hopi Survival Kit, Native American Pathways,
Mystic Warriors of the Plains) and Roy Steevenz continue to seek contributions for
Hotevilla, supposedly with the Elders' blessings. Do not send contributions to
Hotevilla, on their behalf or those of Caretaker's of Hotevilla in Hopi and Hopi
Sinom. Also be wary of contributions to Hotevilla through, Don't Waste Arizona, Inc..
The people of Hotevilla will confirm this information. Those from outside the
community who continue to create conflict are in headlong collision with the community.
Gratitude is extended to the non-Hopi friends who respected the closure
and showed restraint although they had a long history of attending these events.
Gratitude also goes out to those assisting with the distribution of this information.
On file, Eleven (11) of fifteen (15) Wiwimkyam signatories to Tunatya. For more
information call: Phone: 520-734-2420
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