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Drug cartel violence surrounds Tohono O'odham pilgrimage

Posted by Brenda Norrell - October 2, 2008 at 10:48 pm

Tohono O'odham Nation transports O'odham home from pilgrimage, as drug violence and threats escalate

By Brenda Norrell

Updated: Oct. 3, 2008 12:10 am

SELLS, Arizona -- The Tohono O'odham Nation sent vans to Sonora, Mexico, on Thursday, offering an option to O'odham on pilgrimage to return home. As violence and threats of violence increased from competing drug cartels in the region, Tohono O'odham Chairman Ned Norris issued a statement and discouraged O'odham from attending an annual festival in Magdalena de Kino this weekend.

"We strongly advise members of the nation to not travel in Mexico," Chairman Norris said.

On Thursday evening, an emergency worker with the Tohono O'odham Nation said it is unknown whether Tohono O'odham were killed as they walked on pilgrimage from the US border to Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico, for the San Francisco Xavier Festival. Some O'odham returned home from the 60-mile pilgrimage, while others remain on pilgrimage or unaccounted for.

The Tohono O'odham Nation radio station, KOHN-FM in Sells, Arizona, reported tonight that some O'odham were arriving home and medical attention was available. Tohono O'odham family members can call 520-383-8867 for information on loved ones.

Earlier today, Tohono O'odham already in Magdalena for the festival called friends and relatives back home in Sells and reported deaths on the pilgrimage route, from the drug cartels crossfire. However, reports now indicate that those killed in the gunfire at Santa Ana were non-O'odham. However, fears increased with reports of bomb threats for a Magdalena church.

O'odham, Yaqui and thousands of others attend the annual gathering, the San Francisco Xavier Festival, each year.

Reporting from the border, Michel Marizco, publisher of Border Reporter, reported late Thursday that there was gunfire by narco traffickers at Santa Ana, on the pilgrimage route between the border and Magdalena.

Marizco writes, "... local drug dealing gang, Los Jabalíes, got into a gunfight with another crew early this morning in Santa Ana ..."

While some O'odham returned home, others remained in Magdalena and the state of Sonora.


Related: Mexico deadly for journalists
Special Report from the Committee to Protect Journalists
"Mexico is already one of the world's deadliest nations for journalists, with 21 killed since 2000, at least seven in direct reprisal for their work."

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