December 30, 2023 | ROBBY ROMERO

He was known as a land defender, a water protector, and an anarchist. To me, he was Klee Benally, our beautiful, poetic Diné warrior.

As I am traveling through this sacred land, a winter storm is passing through. Snowfilled clouds feel as heavy as my heart. The news of Klee walking on hit me in a way I have never felt before. Grieving is a lonely doing, even when family and friends surround us. A celebration of life for Klee is being held at 2 pm on January 6 at the Orpheum Theatre in Kinłání, Occupied Territories (Flagstaff, Arizona).

I first met Klee on the Red Road. He was with his family and band, Blackfire. He must have been 20 or 21 then. We were playing in Ndee territory at the White Mountian Apache Music Festival. I knew his grandmother, Roberta Blackgoat, from the Traditional Circle of Elders and Youth gatherings. I was fortunate to spend precious time with Klee and his family at their home over the years. Many blessings I shall always cherish.

Klee was an articulate artist who used his gifts to advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth. I invited him and his siblings to play a gig with me for the Grand Opening of Chief Lechi Schools and to record in New York City on the record HIDDEN MEDICINE. Klee always brought positive energy with a creatively Indigenous punk edge to the gigs and into the studio. I remember we were playing a concert at the Potawatomi Nation Pow Wow, and Klee took a vocal solo. The girls were mesmerized. His powerful words and deep vocal style were sexy and definite.

I last saw Klee in 2016 at Standing Rock, where we joined thousands of water protectors and land defenders to protect the Sacred. We spoke last on the phone in 2020 about providing aid and PPE to his people, the hardest hit by the pandemic.

I treasure the time I had with Klee and will see him again in the spirit world. Klee was our brother, our friend... our beautiful, poetic Diné warrior.

Rest in power!