http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096410720

The problem is not an absence of interest in the stars and the heavens, nor is it any particular form of anti-science or anti-telescopic attitude on the part of the Indians.

The problem is similar to many other problems between tribes and the high-handed disrepectful (and often illegal or extra-legal) behavior of the various agencies that seek to seize Indian land for some purpose which ignores the cultural sensibilities of the natives.

This has been going on for more than a few hundred years and it will continue, simply because of the nature of the still-antagonistic relationship between native tribes and the United States government.

On the other hand, some positive resolution can generally found eventually. Because of the long-term use of Kitt Peak -- no matter how the mountain peak was originally acquired from the Indians -- for telescopic observation, and the fact that the stars and the heavens are of vital importance to the spiritual life of the tribe, it's more likely than not that the tribe will come to an agreement. In the meantime, the tribe must assert its primary interest in what happens to Kitt Peak, as the lawsuit indicates.

You can be sure the tribe is well aware of the importance of the telecopes on Kitt Peak and the observations and science that comes from them.