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Show The Zunis did not believe they should receive compensation for these lands and so they directed their attorney to exclude the lands from the claims litigation, saying they had, over the centuries always believed they have held a continuous and complete right to them. At the same time they demanded that the government recognize their likewise complete right to access to those lands. The Zunis said they had right of such access in the form of an easement to and from Kolhu/wala:wa along their sacred and ancient trail, which in Zuni is called We:sak'yaya Onnane (or "The Barefoot Trail"). While their land claim litigation continued, the tribe continued to lobby for a satisfactory resolution to their problems with Kolhu/wala:wa. In 1983-84 the Zunis obtained the support of prominent Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House and legislation was drafted that would arrange title to the area for the tribe. The Zunis were successful in arranging a complex deal among the various, diverse entities: the two political parties, the Zunis and Navajos, and the non-Indian ranchers in the area. Senate 2201, a bill "To Convey Certain Lands to the Zuni Indian Tribe for Religious Purposes," was made law (Public Law 98-408) on August 28, 1984, despite a publicized Congressional atmosphere of budget cutting and frugality in social programs (including most Indian programs). 12 As the 1985 summer solstice approached and some ninety Zuni priests were readying themselves for their quadrennial pilgrimage to Kolhu/wala:wa, an attorney and large landowner along the route of the pilgrimage notified the Apache County, Arizona Sheriff and reportedly said he wanted the Zuni religious leaders arrested for trespass when they passed along the trail through his property. The Zunis, 12. Public Law 98-408. - 11 - |
