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. What does the name mean, and how do you pronounce it?
Transcript
CARLETTA TILOUSI: The tribal coalition members came together to decide what the name of the national monument was going to be, and we decided to name it Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. Baaj Nwaavjo in Havasupai means “where our ancestors roamed.” And in Hopi, my understanding is I’tah Kukveni means their “ancestors’ footprints,” meaning the Hopi people’s ancient people’s footprints.
STUART CHAVEZ: It’s a unison of all the tribes that find the Grand Canyon region and the designation location to be significant to each of the tribes. Everywhere around this region, if you listen very carefully, you’ll be able to hear the footsteps of our ancestors.
