On May 29, 2024, the Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation defended their request to intervene in a lawsuit attacking their role as co-managers of the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, and challenging the laws that allow U.S. President Biden to create national monuments. The sovereign Tribal Nations serve as co-managers of the portions of their homelands now protected within the new national monument named in honor of their connection to the land since time immemorial.
“The Ancestral Footprints designations is a top priority for the Hopi people. Our Tribal Nation has put a lot of work into protecting this gift from the Creator and we will continue to do everything that we can to protect this area that we call home,” said Hopi Tribe Vice Chairman Craig Andrews.
Rulings in the lawsuit by the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona could impact the Tribal Commission created by the Proclamation and their traditional lands and waters within the monument. Despite how deeply the case impacts the Tribal Nations, the lawsuit brought by the Arizona Legislature, State Treasurer, and localities, currently does not allow them opportunity to participate in defending the Monument and the Tribal Commission. After the Tribal Nations requested the court’s permission to join the lawsuit on April 24, 2024, the Arizona Legislature urged the court to deny their inclusion.
“The Havasupai people have never left the Grand Canyon. It is our source of life and existence. We are committed to protecting it. Establishing protections for Baaj Nwaavjo was an important and long-sought-after step. The Havasupai Tribe must be included in any decision-making about the care and administration of the region,” said Havasupai Tribe Chairwoman Bernadine Jones.
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) represents the Havasupai Tribe and Hopi Tribe. DR Law PLLC also represents the Havasupai Tribe along with NARF. The Navajo Nation Department of Justice is representing the Navajo Nation. The reply brief defends the Tribal Nations’ request to intervene and rebukes the plaintiffs’ attempt to silence Indigenous participation in the lawsuit.
“The Tribal Nations have an immense interest in protecting their role as managers of their traditional lands and waters as well as the government-to-government relationship that was strengthened by the Commission,” said NARF Deputy Director Matthew L. Campbell. “The United States cannot adequately represent these interests and so the Tribal Nations should be permitted to join the lawsuit.”
The new National Monument protects thousands of historic and scientific objects, sacred places, vital water sources, and the ancestral homelands of many Indigenous Peoples. Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni lands include cultural and sacred places of the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas 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. The new Monument receives its name from the Indigenous names given to the area by the Havasupai and Hopi. Baaj nwaavjo (BAAHJ – NUH-WAAHV-JOH) means “where Indigenous peoples roam” in the Havasupai language, and i’tah kukveni (EE-TAH – KOOK-VENNY) means “our ancestral footprints” in the Hopi language.
Learn More: Arizona Legislature v. Biden
More blog posts
