Sadly, Klee Benally, 48, who was an ardent advocate for environmental and Native American rights, passed suddenly. The reason for his death has not been disclosed, but his sister Jeneda Benally verified the information. For the advocacy community, this is a huge setback.
Klee Benally Cause of Death and Obituary
Jeneda Benally, Benally’s sister, revealed that her brother, a 48-year-old Navajo activist for the environment and Indigenous rights, died on Saturday in a Phoenix hospital. It is unclear what led to his demise.
Since the mountain is holy to at least thirteen tribes, Benally was well-known for opposing snowmaking at the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort near Flagstaff. He also staged demonstrations against racial profiling and police violence. To protest the offensive club name that the Washington, D.C. franchise had previously used, he joined demonstrators outside a Phoenix NFL stadium in 2014.
Who was Klee Benally?
Benally was a supporter of clearing out abandoned mines from which Navajo Nation uranium was taken for use in US nuclear projects in the Cold War. To combat homelessness, a Flagstaff ordinance that forbade camping on public property was also mentioned by him.
2018 saw him condemn the anti-camping rule, claiming that given the struggles faced by individuals without a place to live, there was no humane method to implement it. In addition to his advocacy work, Benally was a guitarist for his sister and brother’s Native American punk rock band, Blackfire.
Benally was instrumental in drawing attention to the struggles that Indigenous communities confront. His efforts were not limited to the Native American community; they were seen by others. He put in a lot of effort to make sure that Indigenous peoples’ rights and cultures were respected.
People will truly mourn the loss of Benally’s brilliance and unique musical talents in the music industry following his passing. He will be known for his unwavering support of social and environmental justice in addition to his music.
How Did Klee Benally Pass Away?
The news of Benally’s passing was announced on social media on Sunday by his family and the organization Indigenous Action. Although they did not specify a cause, Benally had previously disclosed health problems and a hospital stay in a recent post.
He was well-known for his work protecting holy sites like the San Francisco Peaks and was a member of the Navajo Nation. In addition, Benally opposed uranium mining close to the Grand Canyon and opposed utilizing recycled wastewater to make snow at the Arizona Snowbowl.
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