We Must Protect the Grand Canyon as a National Monument
The Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon area is sacred to tribes, home to endangered wildlife, and is one of our most stunning landscapes
Jun 15, 2023
Jessie Cohen
The greater Grand Canyon region is renowned for its stunning landscapes. From its pine forests to its streams and deep canyons, the region is home to unique ecological systems that provide specialized habitats for its abundant biodiversity, including several rare and endangered species. The region is not only home to stunning vistas and wildlife, but is also the ancestral homeland of several Indigenous Tribes and Nations.
“We have lived in and around the Grand Canyon since time immemorial. Our ancestors were once spread far and wide throughout the region and in what later became the Grand Canyon National Park... We know this place intimately, the Grand Canyon is a part of each and every Havasupai person… It is our home; our land and our water source, and our very being.”
Edmund Tilousi, Vice Chairman of the Havasupai tribe
Today, there are at least 12 Tribes and Nations that have cultural connections to the Grand Canyon: the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Band of Paiute Indians, Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, Navajo Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Colorado River Indian Tribes. Each of these Tribes and Nations have hundreds of historic and cultural sites located in the region, some dating back to 11,000 BCE, which they have been fighting to protect for generations.
The Call to Protect Tribal Lands
In April 2023, the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition called on the Biden administration to protect their tribal homelands and designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni (“Where tribes roam, our ancestral footprints” in the Havasupai and Hopi languages) Grand Canyon National Monument.
Since then, Chispa Arizona and LCV have been supporting the work of the Tribal Coalition and uplifting their call for the protection of this sacred land through advocacy and organizing efforts.
“The Indigenous groups of the Grand Canyon region have been stewards of this land for centuries. Their history and culture is inextricable from this place which is why it is so important to protect these lands and the sacred cultural sites and rich history they are home to. Designating this Monument will not only ensure these Tribes and Nations can remain connected to their history, but will serve to protect the unique ecosystems and wildlife that are found in and around the Grand Canyon for future generations.
We thank our indigenous relatives who have been leading the fight for this protection for their perseverance and dedication to preserving the Grand Canyon region, and urge the Biden administration to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.”
Vianey Olivarria, Executive Director of Chispa Arizona
The 1.1 million acre proposed-monument would honor tribal ties to the region by permanently protecting the region from new and dangerous uranium mining.
Uranium mining has left a toxic legacy in the region with devastating impacts on human health and natural resources; tribal communities in the area experience high levels of air pollution, including of radioactive and toxic materials that have sickened generations of local people and contaminated their drinking water.
In addition to furthering conservation efforts and protecting Tribal communities, designating the monument will also have positive economic impacts on local communities. Tourism and outdoor recreation industries are vital to the economy of the Grand Canyon region, bringing over $3.3 billion in wages and salaries, $787 million in state and local revenues, and 104,000 direct jobs to the region. Protecting this iconic region as a national monument ensures that the region will remain an economic powerhouse for the local economy while preserving its cultural value for the region’s Indigenous groups for generations to come.
LCV’s Ad Campaign
In support of Tribally-led efforts to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, LCV is launching an ad campaign calling on President Biden to protect the Grand Canyon. The ads feature scenic vistas from the Grand Canyon region and the messages, “Keep it Sacred”, “Keep it Protected”, “Keep it Grand” and “Tell President Biden: Protect the Grand Canyon!”
The ad campaign also includes an image prompting viewers to “Choose One” and featuring a photo of the Grand Canyon in juxtaposition to a toxic mining site.
With this ad campaign, Chispa Arizona and LCV hope to inspire people to support Indigenous-led efforts to protect these lands and urge the Biden-Harris administration to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.
