DoomsdaysCW<p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/KleeBenally" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>KleeBenally</span></a>, <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CulturalAdvocate" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CulturalAdvocate</span></a> and <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/LandDefender" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>LandDefender</span></a>, dies at 48</p><p>By Kianna Joe | Dec 31, 2023</p><p>KINŁÁNÍ-DOOK’O’OOSŁÍÍD – "Klee Benally died the morning of Dec. 31, 2023. He was 48.</p><p>"Benally’s family will be having a family meeting later today to share a formal announcement of Benally’s life, according to an <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/IndigenousAction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>IndigenousAction</span></a> social media post.</p><p>"Benally was from <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Dzi%C5%82y%C3%ADjiin" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Dziłyíjiin</span></a>, Arizona. He was from the Tódích’íi’nii and <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/WanderingPeople" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>WanderingPeople</span></a> clans. He relocated to <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Kin%C5%82%C3%A1n%C3%AD" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Kinłání</span></a>, where he proudly stood tall with Dook’o’oosłííd.</p><p>"In his last interview with the Navajo Times on Dec. 7, Benally credited his father, <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/JonesBenally" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>JonesBenally</span></a>, a respected and known <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/hataa%C5%82ii" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>hataałii</span></a>, who shared the <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Din%C3%A9" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Diné</span></a> traditions and culture with him.</p><p>"Klee Benally’s teachings growing up laid a foundation for who he was as a Diné and led to him fighting for the sacred Dook’o’oosłííd.</p><p>"'For Diné people, it represents a part of our cosmology and being,' Benally said on Dec. 7. <br>'Each mountain is a part of our creation account set forward for our boundaries, Diné Bikéyah, where we walk around.'</p><p>"Benally described the mountains as leaders that hold and share teachings for Diné.</p><p>"Countless comments from people who knew and followed Benally shared their sudden sadness but described Benally as a 'one-of-a-kind' wise son, brother, uncle, or grandpa.</p><p>"Along with fighting for sacred elements, Benally was an <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/artist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>artist</span></a> in many mediums, writer, musician, and filmmaker.</p><p>"On Thursday, Dec. 21, Benally launched his book, '<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/NoSpiritualSurrender" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NoSpiritualSurrender</span></a>,' released in November.</p><p>"The book delves into Benally’s experience fighting for sacred places and why he does it to protect <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/nahasdz%C3%A1%C3%A1n" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>nahasdzáán</span></a>.</p><p>"Benally recounted the many times he had been <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/arrested" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>arrested</span></a> in the Dec. 7 interview, along with tying himself to heavy machinery to send a message that he wasn’t going anywhere for the land’s sake.</p><p>"Benally’s work reflected his dedication and understanding of fighting for land and its <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/IndigenousPeoples" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>IndigenousPeoples</span></a>.</p><p>"Benally worked endlessly for the community and land, which are grateful to have been protected by a dedicated Diné."</p><p><a href="https://navajotimes.com/reznews/klee-benally-cultural-advocate-and-land-defender-dies-at-48/" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">navajotimes.com/reznews/klee-b</span><span class="invisible">enally-cultural-advocate-and-land-defender-dies-at-48/</span></a></p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Dineh" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Dineh</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BigMountain" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BigMountain</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/IndigenousActivist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>IndigenousActivist</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/NativeAmericanActivist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NativeAmericanActivist</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FirstNations" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>FirstNations</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/IndigenousAnarchist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>IndigenousAnarchist</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Resistance" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Resistance</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ClimateJustice" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateJustice</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ClimateWarrior" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>ClimateWarrior</span></a></p>