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Show 2 Kolhu/wala:wa. This concluded a long battle by the tribe to gain recognition for their claim to the area known as "Zuni Heaven," "Kachina Village," or Kolhu/wala;wa in the Zuni language. Tribal newspapers around the country hailed the act, and at Zuni a tribal celebration was held. The Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress who led the fight for the Zunis were honored on the Zuni Reservation after the President signed the bill on August 28, 1984.3 Despite this legislation, one rancher who owns land along the route has attempted to restrict the Zunis' access to Kolhu/wala:wa. Kolhu/wala:wa is the most sacred of all Zuni places. The Zunis have always claimed title to that piece of land, and the federal government has now recognized that right and title. The Zunis have always, through many centuries, claimed, likewise as a matter of right, the path to Kolhu/wala:wa. Today they claim an easement along that sacred path, so that they can continue to practice -their religion freely and without hindrance. The historical record shows that the Zunis have made the pilgrimage despite any interference, real or potential. The only 2. Public Law 98-408. "Sacred Land Returned to Zuni," Indian Affairs, No. 107, October, 1984, DD. 1 and 4. *v Shaffer, Mark "Zunis are facing hard line in push for holy ground," The A^zona Republic, February 19, 1984, pp. AA10 and AA15. 3. "Celebration: Return of Zuni Heaven Lands to the Zuni People," announcement from the Pueblo of Zuni, October, 1984. "Religious Lands Returned to Zuni Tribe," Sho-Ban News, August 29, 1984. "Zuni get 'Heaven' Land," The Native Nevadan, April, 1985. "Zuni Receive Land of Spiritual Power," Lakota Times, March 20, 1985. - 5 - |
