By MALAQUIAS RAEL, QEDF Chairman
On that fateful day June 14, 2014 Chevron announced that it would cease its mining operations in Questa for good. This announcement seemed like a death blow to the people of Questa and the surrounding communities. Would it end a way of life forever? It was an end of an era that sustained a citizenry of whom many were families that belonged to El Norte’s original settlers. We are authentic. As one era ended, a new one began.
After a year or so our mourning ended. The sadness was replaced with determination and joy in what the future would bring. The announcement started with it all. We gathered together much like we did when our beloved St. Anthony’s church collapsed. That same determination is what we are using to rebuild our community into something better and stronger. How will this new birth change us? How will it keep us the same? The choice is always ours to make. We have made the best choice. Save our community.
We received many visitors who offered help, support, and encouragement. We accepted. We are not going to allow the dust to gather and weeds to takeover. The 180 plus years of living in this area told us that another way forward was on its way here. The spirit of hope and strength will help us shake the chains of doubt and fear. There is no room for such emotions.
We decided that Questa needs to have a diversity that relies on the many resources available to us. We are truly blessed to be surrounded by beauty and opportunity. The old resources served us well but left us with much to clean up.
As the cleanup process has been going on, we have used the time to find ways to usher in the new era. The work has been challenging and difficult. But, as a mother awaits the arrival of her newborn we are filled with joy. This community can expect to experience much activity as before. The difference is that the activity will be more diverse.
We know that our source of inspiration comes from God almighty. He has provided us with many tools to complete our tasks. Tools like agriculture, outdoor recreation and new innovations like green hydrogen. These tools will be used to rebuild Questa into a place we can present to the world.
More importantly to our neighbors and ourselves. Will it be perfect? Hah no. But it will be something we bring to the table, the town square, and to the altar that will cause others to look and wonder “how did they do it?” Simply put, we have taken advantage of the opportunities presented to us.
Agriculture and outdoor recreation are very beneficial. Yet, they are subject to seasons. Green hydrogen energy and new housing are more like planning a trip to Mars. Mars seems a lot closer now. These alternative opportunities may bring fear and doubt into our way of thinking. One should never self-impose a handicap doing something new and bold. We will walk and run with new shoes of hope and purpose. Imagine a community that will make us stronger than before. Imagine our children and grandchildren coming back to a place we restored and preserved for them. My friends, this is possible as long as we place our faith in Him who created us and has given us the means to get it done.
We have always been a people willing to see what change can do for us with values that keep us grounded. We will always rely on faith and reason to accomplish what we have started. We know we are guided by a greater source of wisdom and power than we ourselves could muster. Stay tuned, join the effort, say yes.
