Two Havasupai dancers chant and dance to open the an event at the historic Red Butte Airfield during which President Joe Biden designated 1,500 square miles of land near the Grand Canyon National Park as the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument.
Two Havasupai dancers chant and dance to open the an event at the historic Red Butte Airfield during which President Joe Biden designated 1,500 square miles of land near the Grand Canyon National Park as the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument.
As Coconino County Supervisors and appointed members to the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument Advisory Committee, we honor the creation of the Monument as a historic milestone in protecting one of the nation’s most extraordinary landscapes. The monument designation acknowledges the sacred significance of these lands to Indigenous tribes, preserves vital ecosystems, and commits to safeguarding the Grand Canyon for future generations.
With over 3,000 cultural and historic sites, the monument is not just land. It is a direct link to thousands of years of human history. For the Indigenous tribes tied to this region, including the Havasupai, these lands are not only sacred but are central to their way of life. Protecting this monument honors their cultural heritage and ensures that future generations can connect with these irreplaceable sites.
I just celebrated another year as a federal employee and was prepared to dedicate the rest of my career to civil service. I always knew I wanted to work to protect natural resources, and the s… Read moreCoconino Voices: Diary of a federal worker facing cuts
