Posted by:

Addressed to Kill

Thursday, November 15, 2007 07:15 PM

After watching Miss Navajo the other night, a viewer wrote to PBS:

I am just writing to you to tell you of my utter shock and displeasure at the show you aired last night on Rocky Mountain PBS, "Miss Navajo." I was in bed, trying to sleep and I often turn to PBS for some educational programming to enjoy. Imagine my shock and horror, when watching Miss Navajo and trying to learn about the Native American traditions and then, seeing the horror of the contestants slaughtering sheep!!! This atrocity must stop and it should not be filmed or aired on TV!!!!! I can't believe that they are still doing this in this day and age, there is nothing to prove by killing an innocent and fearful animal. Those sheep knew what they were in for, I could see it in their eyes.

Miss Navajo director Billy Luther replied:

Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-eater you must be aware that to feed the American public the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of living things takes place in far less humane circumstances every day. Hiding this from view does nothing other than create a false sense of what is humane and acceptable. In the Navajo tradition we treat the land and its creatures with respect. We all need to eat and when we take from the land we do so in a responsible sustainable way that has been passed down from generation to generation. Perhaps when you are eating your turkey on Thursday you can spare a thought for all the Native Americans who were slaughtered in atrocities still celebrated every day on television in endless Westerns.
Happy Thanksgiving
Billy Luther

The Independent Lens screening of Miss Navajo debuts on channel 13 WNET in New York tonight. (The Miss Navajo promotional key ring)