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THOMAS BANYACYA, HOPI, 1910-1999
On February 6, 1999, the world lost one of its leading Native messengers for nonviolence and peace, who called out for the spiritual reawakening necessary to change the course of human history off the path of destruction and onto the path towards true peace and harmony. Hopi Prophecy spokesman, Thomas Banyacya died at the age of 89. A sunrise memorial service organized by the International Indian Treaty Council was held in San Francisco on February 28.
Inspired by the great Hopi Elder Yukiuma, whom he regarded as "The Hopi Gandhi", Banyacya spent seven years in prison in the 1940's because of his steadfast conscientious objection to registering for military service. Hopi spiritual leaders interpreted the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a fulfillment...