Greetings Mr. Meyers and Ms. Mason,

Re: the RETAIN conference and the University of Arizona as host.

I am hoping that you all will address the issue of Mt. Graham and the University of Arizona's unethical dealings with Indian Nations, Indian students, Indian Law, and Indian Sacred Lands. I realize that we Indians are trying to get ahead but I know as a longtime graduate student at the University of Arizona that there prevails a climate there of stifling dissent when it comes to the topic of Mt. Graham and the Unversity's Mt. Graham International Observatory.

There are several ways you can address this issue in a responsible manner through the RETAIN conference, the best way is to be straightforward and open about issues such as this.

I am for "retention" of Indian students to be sure. I am just hoping that we Indians can "retain" our ideas, dignity, spirit, and curriculae as we are "retained" by universities such as the University of Arizona. I, and many others who have had the University of Arizona experience can testify to the fact that those who "retain" and assert our ideas about Native American Religious Freedoms and Mt. Graham have come under fire by the University Administration.

My people did not struggle for a piece of the university only to be coralled into conformity about such matters.

Sure, while the University of Arizona wants to "retain" Indian Students, can the Traditional Apache "retain" Mt. Graham as a Sacred place of worship?

What about the vanload of San Carlos Apache Elders who travelled up to the gates of the observatory and were turned away and responded to with 6 patrol cars?

This happened 3 years ago. What about the San Carlos tribal councilman who decided to become neutral on the subject because he said in a council meeting that their nation's federal funding was in jeopardy if he didn't.

How does it feel for those Indian students who love places such as Mt. Graham to attend the University? Knowing that the University has been one of the leaders of the effort to undermine religious freedom protections of the Indian peoples?

What about the Booz-Allen Study which called for a divide and conquer campaign strategy to neutralize the formal Apache opposition? This study was commissioned by President Pacheco and it cost $38,000. There are so many questions that remain unanswered by the University and the as yet silenced Indian staff who are employed there.

How to keep the Indians in school while attacking their religious freedoms. Keeping Retention Programs Funded in the Context of Controversy.

The Retention of Indian Students: The Big Picture and Heavenly Explorations

To RETAIN: I have a hypothesis:

Retention of Indian Students is significantly increased in those institutions that respect their concerns, ideas, contributions and nations.

p.s. Has V.P. Cusanovich lifted the official prohibition on formal discussion of Mt. Graham by University staff yet?

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