Changing Woman (47 page)

“What I’m most concerned about is the safety issue,” Rose said. “It’s only clean energy when everything goes as planned. The Holy People warned us that certain rocks should stay in the earth. When the
bilagáanas,
the white people, came to our land during the Cold War and council elders allowed them to take
the uranium out, the mining ended up causing disease and misery. We can’t afford another mistake like that. Polluting our scarce water supplies is unforgivable.”

Wilson spoke. “It should be different now—with scientific knowledge that simply wasn’t around before. And the public is a lot better educated. Do you realize that at current prices, we can make an estimated one billion dollars mining
our own uranium and running the power plant—that is, if the plant is allowed to operate for twenty-five years.”

“Even if we make more money, that still won’t guarantee that we’ll find harmony and walk in beauty,” Rose said. “Even a small mistake could be a disaster.”

They talked for a few more minutes, then Rose took her leave. “Thank you for your time and your thoughts, nephew,” she said, using
the term as a sign of affection, not kinship.

“Mom, wait, and I’ll walk back to the parking area with you,” Ella said.

As Rose went out to the hall, Ella glanced back at Wilson. “I need a lead that will point me to Officer Franklin’s killer. If you hear anything, from your students or elsewhere, give me a call.”

“You’ve got it. I’ll start by finding out if the professor’s son ever attended
classes here.”

Ella joined her mother as they walked back to their cars. They were nearing the parking area when a young woman in her early twenties, wearing jeans and a sweat
shirt, saw them and came over. Four other young women followed her.

“Aren’t you Rose Destea, the traditionalist who is trying to turn everyone against a tribal nuclear power plant? I read what you said in the newspaper.”

“You are right about my name. And although the newspaper gave a distorted report of my comments, I do have many serious questions and concerns about the NEED project. But people are free to make up their own minds.” Rose spoke calmly.

“My name is Vera Jim.” The woman stepped right up to within a foot of Rose, but Rose didn’t flinch or give ground. “People like you are the tribe’s biggest enemies.
You’re so used to living in poverty you can’t see that the opportunity has finally come for the rest of us to break out of this cycle of misery. New Traditionalists provide leaders who can improve our standard of living, but there is always someone like you to stand in our way.”

“I am
not
an enemy of the tribe,” Rose said sharply. “The only ones who truly undermine who we are as The People are
the ones who show no respect for our ways.”

Ella was surprised by how well Rose was handling things, though she could tell her mother was furious with Vera Jim. Vera suddenly pushed Rose hard.

”Your
ways suck!” Vera snarled.

As Rose staggered back, Ella steadied her mother quickly, then, in an instant stepped up to Vera, pinning her against the trunk of a cottonwood tree so she couldn’t move.

“You have assaulted a member of our tribe,” Ella said. “I am a witness and a police officer.”

“Daughter, let her go,” Rose said. “There’s enough division among the
Dineh
as it is.”

“Mom, you can press charges—”

“No. That’s your way, not mine. Common sense and respect for their elders isn’t something you can force into a person. If they haven’t been raised properly, they have to learn it by
themselves.”

In the Navajo tradition. Changing Woman represents
life springing up from nothing. She is the ultimate
hope of the world. She is Woman, who embodies
all the mysteries of life.

CHANGING WOMAN

Change surrounds Navajo Police Special Investigator Ella Clah. The father of her child seems ready to be more of a father, though it will alter the rhythm of all their lives and may hurt
his political career. Ella’s mother, Rose, has rediscovered her passion for politics and struggles to guide her people on the best way to walk in beauty.

The Dineh seem to be ready to bring casino gambling to the Rez, despite the risk that the character of the Navajo Nation will be forever altered. Speaking eloquently against the proposal, Rose becomes a national celebrity.

Ella has no time
to think about how these changes will affect her and her two-year-old daughter. The Navajo Police Force is combating an increasingly violent wave of vandalism, always two steps behind despite their best efforts.

Events come to a head with the terrorist takeover of a coal mine and power plant on the Reservation. Ella must keep the terrorists from blowing up the power plant—but how can she focus
on being a cop when her daughter is missing?