Yosemite Indian Coalition letter to Tollefson

Open Letter to Mike Tollefson

Mariposa Tribune
(published Tuesday, January 21, 2003)

Dear Mr. Tollefson:

With the ushering in of the New Year, it seems we have also ushered in a new Superintendent of our beloved homeland.

We welcome you to Yosemite.

Yosemite is where we began, the place we were created. Yosemite holds a sacred history for us, it is the very core of who we are.

We are the Yosemite Indian.

Our love of Yosemite and what it means to us lives in our hearts and is in our blood. Creator gives us this place to care for and to cherish.

The Federal Government has given this job as Superintendent to someone to enact their mission statement as well as their policies on protection and preservation. We hope that you will see in our ancestral homeland all the wonders and promise that has been entrusted to you by your higher authority and respect and protect it in the same manner that we have for thousands of years.

To walk in the shadow of El Capitan or Half Dome and to witness the changing of seasons, one cannot help but walk in reverence and appreciate the miracles that surround us, a new one each day, from the winged ones who pursue their daily flight over head and move on to their roosting places to the Bear that makes its journey full circle each year, time and time again.

As of late our mother has cried out against the destruction in the Yosemite Valley. The destruction has a name: "The Yosemite Valley Plan"

Our ancestors have suffered and have also been disturbed by this plan. Our mother asks us "When will this stop?"

We pray daily that this will cease and that once again the Valley, the ancestors and spirits will be at rest and in peace. We pray that the winged ones will forever be able to find their rightful place at Eagle Rock or other roosting areas. This is their entitlement given to them by the Creator. We pray that the four legged ones will forever be able to find, once again, the peace and harmony that they have had for centuries.

We pray that the medicine returns to balance. We pray that all living beings in the valley whether they be plant, animal or unseen species be allowed to return to balance.

We pray that you understand that all things are related. We pray that the natural balance returns soon and that we can put the Mother at rest once again and restore balance to her, the ancestors, and creation.

We pray that you understand this cycle, and that you also understand your responsibility and the role you play in all that is the Yosemite Valley.

We carry with us the history of our ancestors, which teaches us our people came into being through the hands of our Creator to care for our Mother. Our ancestors honored the gift of the Creator for thousands of years. We, the children of the ancient ones, accept our loyalty to the teachings and go forward to protect what has been given.

We acknowledge, as we walk upon our ancient land our hearts become open as we feel the presence of our ancient ones. Our ears begin to hear the words of those laying beneath. We gather knowledge of the plant and rock medicine, of the four legged and winged ones buried with our people.

We know that there is so little left. We pray for preservation for the future generations so that we will carry on.

We concede that the United States Government holds illegal title to our ancestral lands and are using the Mother for the purpose of government/corporate advancements for financial interests.

We recognize with protest, the United States Government, through its entity known as the National Park Service, has violently contracted much of our ancestral land, unearthed many of our ancestors, built lodges, restaurants, concessions, museums and housing over our ancestral villages destroying the sacred history of our people who lay underneath for eternity.

We further recognize, today the National Park Service is unearthing what remains of our history and the history of those that shared the ancient land with our People. These present actions are directly connected to "The Yosemite Valley Plan."

We seek to gather those who would strengthen our path to the protection of our mother and all connected. These prayers, we trust will be soon answered.

THE DESCENDANTS OF CHIEF TENAYA,
Yosemite Indian Coalition
559-221-7759

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