Today, the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition along with Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Representative Raúl Grijalva from Arizona announced a new proposal to protect Tribal access and clean water. This Tribally-led proposal, the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, would protect the iconic Grand Canyon region from threats like future uranium mining. Baaj Nwaavjo means “where tribes roam” for the Havasupai Tribe and I’tah Kukveni means “our footprints” for the Hopi Tribe.
The Tribal Coalition, which includes leadership representatives of the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Las Vegas Band of Paiute Tribe, Moapa Band of Paiutes, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Pueblo of Zuni, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes; Congressional members; and Coconino County called on President Biden to designate this area in northern Arizona a national monument.
To learn more: You can watch the press conference hosted by Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva here or read the fact sheet here.