Page 24 - Red Lands
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Switch to Ben’s father and grandfather talking in the council hall to
the group of Navajo, Apache and Mohave Indians about the next
day’s meeting with Mike and Yoshi.
(The Crowd) We want work, we want work, and we want work and
respect. (Ben’s Dad) Please, please, allow me a moment to speak. I have
read this so called proposal from Mr. Kelly and the Japanese firm
collectively called United Japan. It is all lies. We once owned so much
land here before the white man came and took our land and renamed our
homes. They call their homes cities and towns, but our homes are simply
called reservations. (A crowd person) Who cares about the past if you
have no future?
The crowd starts to scream and shout.
(Ben’s Dad) Please, please, temper your anger. It won’t help us to be
angry. (Gate Guard’s Son) Easy for you to say Long stand Begay. Your
family don’t need this deal. We do. Look around, our people are suffering
every day. (Mohave Elder) We will achieve nothing this way. In the
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