Local
Havasupai horses need some help
The horses of Havasupai provide service to Supai Village residents and tourists. Now they need your help.
Natural disasters are devastating. Over the past few years, we have witnessed nature's wrath in many forms. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was overwhelming to the residents of New Orleans. The death toll of the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake in Pakistan reached nearly 80,000 people. The 2008 Sichuan Earthquake in China killed nearly 70,000 people and left almost 5 million homeless. Cyclone Nargis devastated Burma in 2008 with damage estimated at over $10 billion. These events were catastrophic. Recently, on a more local level, there was a natural disaster in the Grand Canyon area. The Redlands Dam, just west of Valle, broke in the early morning hours of Aug. 17. That break, combined with heavy rains, brought destructive flooding to the Supai Village area of the Grand Canyon. Hundreds of members of the Havasupai tribe, tourists and others had to scramble to higher ground as the flood waters rose and later had to be evacuated to safety via helicopter.
Supai Village, considered one of the most remote towns in the lower 48 states, is accessible only by foot, mule/horse or helicopter. Tourism is the main livelihood of the members of the Havasupai tribe and the horses and mules of the tribe are of extreme importance. Approximately 400 mules and horses carry U.S. Mail to this remote village, deliver supplies to residents and campers, and provide transportation for the residents and campers. This region, which is now expected to be closed to the public for at least the next 6 to 8 months, will suffer a great economic loss without the tourism. But the losses to the horses and mules may be even greater.
These animals eat an average of 8,000 pounds of horse feed per day at an estimated cost of almost $2,000 per day. While the major source of income to Supai Village is suspended for the foreseeable future, feeding the horses and mules may prove to be the most difficult task ahead for this remote village. During the estimated closure period of 6 to 8 months, the animal care costs alone could reach $500,000.
The Just Roughin' It Adventure Co., an Arizona based hiking and backpacking tour company, leads excursions into Supai and has established a strong relationship with the Havasupai tribe. The company is currently making efforts to help their friends in Supai Village. Just Roughin' It has established a relief fund to help the Havasupai people with the cost of animal care until the tourism operations can be resumed.
If you would like to make a contribution and be a part of this important relief effort, please contact the folks at Just Roughin' It Adventure Company at (877) 399-2477. You can also check out its Web site, www.justroughinit.com, for more information.
Thank you very much!
Sheila V. Madrak can be reached for comments, questions and suggestions at animal.instincts08@gmail.com.
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Leave your comments below:
amy wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:45 PM:
" I'm deeply concerned about the amount of stereotyping and blame-storming I'm reading here. Did some of these same people making comments say the same types of things to other victims of natural disasters such as Katrina? I think the tone of these comments are indicative to a deep racial divide in our town. We as a community need to come together and heal this before it tears us to pieces. Those of us concerned with social justice and equality need to take a stand and let Flagstaff know that hate is not acceptable here. "
Doug Brown wrote on Sep 9, 2008 2:19 PM:
" As far as assisting the tribal community to aid there livestock is a joke. Anyone who has actually been down there can see how they actually treat these animals. The ony thing they care about is that the horses keep making money. They use metal chains for bridals many of the animals are bleeding an malnourished. Where is PETA when you need them most. "
jim wrote on Sep 9, 2008 12:49 PM:
" Many ranchers seek help from the government during times of drought. When they can't afford to feed their animals that graze on public lands for a minimal fee. Give me a break, ranchers are some of the first in line after any kind of natural disaster. If we help them feed their animals, why shouldn't we help feed the animals in Supai. "
Marian wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:54 AM:
" Yes, your comments are true but only to a few horse owners. I live in Supai and know what horses owners give us a bad name but that is as the saying goes "One bad apple spoils the whole bunch". My boyfriend has 40+ horses and we take care of them very well unlike some of the people down here. Please do not condemn our entire village of your pathetic sightings. Next time your down here get the names of the owners and report them individually.
By the way we could also go online and smear vicious stories about our visitors who are ignorant and hike our trails in 100 degree weather without water, jumping off our water falls, getting lost, drinking themselves stupid and almost drowning and almost kill themselves. But as Native Americans we value life so we help our visitors to survive.
Thanks but no thanks. "
By the way we could also go online and smear vicious stories about our visitors who are ignorant and hike our trails in 100 degree weather without water, jumping off our water falls, getting lost, drinking themselves stupid and almost drowning and almost kill themselves. But as Native Americans we value life so we help our visitors to survive.
Thanks but no thanks. "
Sick of it wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:13 AM:
" At what point do the residents take responsibility? Why is it that everything can be blamed on social injustice. I am tired of that crutch. Are there no adults currently residing in the area? Thats what is sounds like. We need to send a babysitter becuase grown men and women cannot take care of themselves or there livestock. Before anyone jumps up in arms about it do a little research on the matter. See where the money goes, becuase they are getting money or aid or whatever you want to call it.. Horses half dead, homes falling down, but they have internet? Hmmm....Get off your soap boxes, and get off of your butts and fix it quit waiting for everyone else to wipe for you because at one time this or that happend! "
Cameron wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:55 AM:
" Why don't the Havasupai do as every other farmer/rancher in the country does?
Sell the horses, then buy them back when they need them?
As for preserving a way of life, give me a break. Is tourism the way they have lived since antiquity?
And finally, are you asking my to pay to feed these same horses that they charge me to ride? Will buy me gas for my cab so I can charge you for a ride? "
Sell the horses, then buy them back when they need them?
As for preserving a way of life, give me a break. Is tourism the way they have lived since antiquity?
And finally, are you asking my to pay to feed these same horses that they charge me to ride? Will buy me gas for my cab so I can charge you for a ride? "
Dave wrote on Sep 9, 2008 8:55 AM:
" These animals work for a living, unlike your pet in your backyard. The BLM can't even care for the animals under their control. The BIA is a joke, never enough to help. These folks are trying to preserve a way of life. We know nothing about that. We gave up our heritage centuries ago.
If you are worried about where your donations will go.....then buy feed. Can't do much with feed but give it to horses. We extend help to other folks in this country whose homes get blown over by tornadoes or hurricanes. Why can't we help the Havasupai get back on their feet?
Lots of folks go there and complain about how deprived the horses are, how run down the village is...what confuses me, is why these same people go back, year after year. If it is so awful, then why do you return.
Stop complaining about conditions, and start helping. Get over yourself Flagstaff...and start helping. "
If you are worried about where your donations will go.....then buy feed. Can't do much with feed but give it to horses. We extend help to other folks in this country whose homes get blown over by tornadoes or hurricanes. Why can't we help the Havasupai get back on their feet?
Lots of folks go there and complain about how deprived the horses are, how run down the village is...what confuses me, is why these same people go back, year after year. If it is so awful, then why do you return.
Stop complaining about conditions, and start helping. Get over yourself Flagstaff...and start helping. "
S.G. Hill wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:51 PM:
" I am Native American and have visited the Havasupai community and have noticed the conditions of the community and horses. The conditions made me sad but this is only a reflection of the condition of the Havasupai people and Indigenous Peoples worldwide. Conditions of poverty, malnutrition, and degeneration are reflective of the ignorance of Governmental and Societal entities who have and still impose their worldviews, religion, etc on once self-sufficient and sustainable communities. Look into the history of Federal Indian Policies, Colonization, and you will find the answers to your questions of extreme poverty, Third World conditions, and neglect of animals. By no means am I trying to make excuses I just want to bring up complex issues that we face in our Indian communities in order to inspire thought, reflection, research, reasoning & compassion. Any help and support for these animals and gracious support to those in need would be a blessing! Although support from the outside is important, more important is to support and inspire solutions from within the Indigenous Havasupai, only they have the answers. Prayers to those in the world who are suffering, hungry, and seeking justice! "
Lynne wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:44 PM:
" If the horses and mules are in such intolerable condition, then why isn't the BLM and BIA called in to investigate this? Also the ASPCA and Arizona Humane as well be brought down there to check the health of the horses and mules and if they are fines should be levied and the animals be taken out of the area, even if they have to be airlifted, the BLM and BIA should foot the bill for this if the animal are in this bad of condition. BTW, I am a Native American myself and if this is the case, then shame on you, my brothers and sisters for not caring for your brothers and sisters that feed and care for you( the revenue that these animals make possible for the tribe). "
Hmmm wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:30 PM:
" To Brian.
It is definitely upsetting to see the horses down there, like that ALL the time. But I think sometimes people don't realize that most tribal members aren't living in Havasupai to make money off tourism. I am Hualapai, and I still have my grandma and other family members that live in or around Peach Springs. Once you live and grow up on a reservation that your family has been since the beginning of time, sometimes that's just where you want to stay. That being said, I don't think ALL those horses are used as often as you would like to think. I don't know how moral this sounds, but I think honestly some people who have horses, can't necessarily always afford to care for them.
As sad as I am to say this, I think you hit the nail on the head about the finances not being managed properly. I think in most politics, throughout the country, you will find corruption. And the people that suffer are the ones in their community. A hand is still good to offer. :) "
It is definitely upsetting to see the horses down there, like that ALL the time. But I think sometimes people don't realize that most tribal members aren't living in Havasupai to make money off tourism. I am Hualapai, and I still have my grandma and other family members that live in or around Peach Springs. Once you live and grow up on a reservation that your family has been since the beginning of time, sometimes that's just where you want to stay. That being said, I don't think ALL those horses are used as often as you would like to think. I don't know how moral this sounds, but I think honestly some people who have horses, can't necessarily always afford to care for them.
As sad as I am to say this, I think you hit the nail on the head about the finances not being managed properly. I think in most politics, throughout the country, you will find corruption. And the people that suffer are the ones in their community. A hand is still good to offer. :) "
Hmmmm wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:10 PM:
" "Michael Dugan wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:17 PM:
" Why isn't this the responsibility of the native Americans? ""
...That's like saying 'Why isn't this the responsibility of the Katrina victims?' (to pay for their own natural disaster emergencies). "
" Why isn't this the responsibility of the native Americans? ""
...That's like saying 'Why isn't this the responsibility of the Katrina victims?' (to pay for their own natural disaster emergencies). "
TC wrote on Sep 8, 2008 3:28 PM:
" I remember seeing these animals over ten years ago and being shocked. They were boney and half starved. I remember seing a colt in a pen in 100 + temps with NO WATER. Clearly remember that these animals looked abused. I'd contribute, but what assurance do we have that the donations will go to the horses? They have not been a priority for the owners for quite some time, what leads us to think they are gong to care for them now? "
Jen wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:29 PM:
" These horses are not eating that much! They are in pittiful condition. I feel bad for those animals. If people are going to contribute, do it with food! at least then we'll all know they actually are being fed! "
Michael Dugan wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:17 PM:
" Why isn't this the responsibility of the native Americans? "
Brian wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:41 AM:
" Forgive me if this is totally ignorant, but:
Has anyone else noticed that many of these animals looked famished, scarred and neglected before the disaster? I'm just confused how such a small village with the spectacular attraction of the falls consistently seems to display third world conditions. Why isn't there a decent facility at the overlook (wild dogs get into the gear)? Why is the office in the village run down? Why do the animals appear to be in such horrible shape all of the time?
Certainly the tourism industry there must generate a healthy income. It's seems to me that the finances going into Supai might not be managed properly. Or maybe being so remote and seasonal is really that hard.
Just wondering... "
Has anyone else noticed that many of these animals looked famished, scarred and neglected before the disaster? I'm just confused how such a small village with the spectacular attraction of the falls consistently seems to display third world conditions. Why isn't there a decent facility at the overlook (wild dogs get into the gear)? Why is the office in the village run down? Why do the animals appear to be in such horrible shape all of the time?
Certainly the tourism industry there must generate a healthy income. It's seems to me that the finances going into Supai might not be managed properly. Or maybe being so remote and seasonal is really that hard.
Just wondering... "
Mike in VV wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:23 AM:
" My son was in Suapi the week before the flood, and when he returned he commented on the condition of the horses. He said almost all of them were bony and looked half-starved.
Someone needs to assure that the horses actually GET the feed that gets donated. "
Someone needs to assure that the horses actually GET the feed that gets donated. "
Joy wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:46 AM:
" Yes! If you can afford it, please do help them out! These working animals need help, and it's really up to us to do what we can! And, if you've never been down to Havasupai, I recommend doing so once they're ready for visitors again. It's got to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, kept that way by the dedication of the people (and horses) that have been entrusted with the land. "
dave wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:39 AM:
" Every tour company that operates in Supai should feel obligated to make a donation to the cause. Any group making a profit off of the Havasupai Reservation should also feel obligated. If they can't donate money, then they should donate labor to the reconstruction efforts for the campground and the trails. "
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Akay wrote on Sep 10, 2008 7:18 PM: