On August 8, 2023, President Biden declared Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which protects nearly 1 million acres of tribes' ancestral homelands on the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon.
Native peoples have lived in the Grand Canyon and the plateaus above it since time immemorial, and they are still here today. Hear from Carletta Tilousi and Dianna Sue White Dove Uqualla about their Havasupai connections to the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon.
Transcript
DIANNA SUE WHITE DOVE UQUALLA: It is so powerful for us to be here. This is where we began, the Havasupai people. This is a very sacred place. This is what we've always watched over, through my elders, through generations. There's countless generations that have protected this place. From our elders, they said that, you know, when the sun comes up, when the sun touches all the land, that is your land.
CARLETTA TILOUSI: All of this North Rim and South Rim was once inhabited by ancient Havasupai people. And we would be so happy once and for all to know that our ancient trails, our ancient burial sites, and the animals have a healthy space to be at. And that's the most important thing to me.
DIANNA SUE: Even though people don't understand, we still keep watching over this land, 'cause that's what we do. It’s not through legal papers, it’s through what Spirit sends to us.