by Heather Herold, Native America Associate
Since the designation of the new Bears Ears National Monument on December 28, 2016, Bears Ears has attracted media attention from across the country. Unfortunately, many of these stories focus on potential congressional and executive actions that could shrink or undo this historic and inspiring monument. But while controversy sells newspapers, we shouldn’t forget the real story is the powerful movement to protect Bears Ears.
We here at the Grand Canyon Trust know that hundreds of thousands of people have voiced support for Bears Ears National Monument. Our new map shows a compelling snapshot of support across the country, highlighting the immense support from coast to coast.
The map shows an eye-popping 291,000 petition signatures supporting the designation of Bears Ears National Monument. What’s even more incredible is that this map only shows a piece of the story; it doesn’t include smaller individual petitions, petitions created post-designation asking for continued support, or thousands of postcards pledging support for Bears Ears that people signed across the Southwest and in Utah over the past two years.
Beyond petition signatures, the monument has enjoyed consistent and continued support and engagement from the five sovereign tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition—Hopi, Zuni, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute, and Uintah and Ouray Ute—which have deep ancestral and contemporary ties to the Bears Ears landscape. The National Congress of American Indians, which represents more than 180 federally recognized tribes, has also voiced support for Bears Ears, along with the Tri-Ute Council, Utah Tribal Leaders Association, the All Pueblo Council of Governors, and 26 other southwestern tribes. Numerous allies have stepped forward, including Rep. Raúl Grijalva, Sen. Martin Heinrich, the conservation and recreation communities, and even faith groups of all denominations. There’s no doubt that this monument is energizing people across the United States who value public lands, recreation, conservation, sovereignty, and culture.
In related and exciting news, the five tribes with ancestral ties to Bears Ears have selected their representatives and formed the Bears Ears Commission. The commission, as specified in the monument proclamation, will help develop the monument management plan and will also work to use traditional knowledge, recognized for the first time as a resource in the Bears Ears proclamation, in management planning and decision-making. The commission is committed to ensuring that Bears Ears National Monument is a resounding success for Native Americans, and for all who enjoy Utah’s spectacular public lands.
The designation of Bears Ears marks a historic moment for national monuments, the Antiquities Act, and public lands as a whole. Our Nations’ are proud to be a part of this effort and we look forward to supporting the commission and its important work in ensuring that Bears Ears is protected and managed in the best ways possible.
— Carleton Bowekaty, co-chair of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition and Bears Ears commissioner for the Pueblo of Zuni.
At the same time, the commission also released a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Acting Secretary Michael Scuse recommending a meeting as soon as possible. The letter cites the importance of tribal input in management decisions and meaningful engagement between tribes and agencies as reasons for urging Zinke and Scuse to meet with the commission in Washington, D.C. or during Secretary Zinke’s upcoming visit to Utah. The letter also notes fears that the Trump administration may take action to reduce or eliminate the monument completely.
Despite the myopic arguments of Bears Ears opponents, support for the monument is solid and deep and continues to grow as the public recognizes the attack on Bears Ears is an attack on all public lands. It’s clear to see: many love this unique landscape for its innumerable natural and cultural wonders, and are eager to ensure it is protected in perpetuity. The Grand Canyon Trust will continue to support the Bears Ears Commission and defend the monument against threats.
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