Hello, my name is Suhaib Shaat, I am 27 years old, and I live in the Gaza Strip with my large family of 6. We are experiencing all kinds of suffering here! No food, no drink, no security, no life. We suffer from fear and displacement from one place to another for fear of death. We lost our beautiful home that sheltered us after it was bombed and completely destroyed. 

We lost our source of livelihood as a result of the war on the Gaza Strip. My father cannot provide us with the minimum necessities of life because he suffers from pain and stiffness in his knee joint and cannot stand for long periods! ...
My family and I need your support and assistance, even if it is a little.

The situation is getting worse day by day. I ask for your support for me and my family.
I created this link so that you can help me and stand by me and my family in these difficult and harsh circumstances.

You are now our only hope to escape death and hunger! 

Black Mesa Resistance Camp

Black Mesa Solidarity Network (BMSN) is raising funds to distribute Hay, Grain and Livestock Feed for Dineh families living within the Big Mountain and Black Mesa communities. The hay and animal feed run is a solidarity effort to help support Dineh families resisting forced relocation policies who continue to carry out their indigenous sovereignty and self determination. 

Where do funds go?

Last year, about 10% of total funds raised go towards transportation costs. The remainder of raised funds was split about even between hay and grain/other animal feed. If we reach the goal of this fundraiser, we will have enough to distribute a few bales of hay, several bags of grain, salt and mineral blocks to each family in resistance with livestock.

Who Are We and What Do We Do?

Black Mesa Solidarity Network (BMSN) is an alliance of all-volunteer collectives and coordinators from across Turtle Island that works year-round responding to Diné families resisting relocation laws. Each year, BMSN organizes a two-week Wood Camp with Diné families resisting ongoing relocation pressures throughout Big Mountain / Black Mesa and surrounding communities. BSMN supporters are hosted by Diné families, strengthening relationships with resistance thru mutual aid. We assist with local firewood gathering and distribution as well as food and supplies. We also learn to herd sheep, and assist with home and road repairs to support winter preparations. 

Why Does This Matter?

Elders and families of Big Mountain / Black Mesa continue to sustain their traditional Diné life ways in the face of the devastating effects of colonial land theft and coal mining. The 1974 Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act redrew the boundaries of the Hopi and Navajo Reservations, which displaced hundreds of Hopi and 10,000 - 15,000 Diné. These borders reflected the colonial government’s collusion with corporate interests focused on massive resource extraction.

However, hundreds of families refused to leave their ancestral lands, which span 900,000 acres and 20 Diné communities. Nearly 50 years later, the coal mines are defunct, but the pressure to relocate remains. These pressures include livestock restrictions, threats and intimidation from law enforcement and government agencies, lack of running water, and impacts of climate change.