"Southwest Tribes Push For New National Monument Near Grand Canyon"

"A tribal coalition has called on President Joe Biden to permanently protect 1.1 million acres from new uranium mining and other development."

"A coalition of Native American tribes in the Southwest is lobbying the Biden administration to create a sweeping national monument to protect federal lands adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park from uranium mining and other development.

Members of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, which includes the Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai and nine other tribes, held a press conference Wednesday to officially call for approximately 1.1 million acres north and south of the park to be designated as Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.

Edmon Tilousi, vice chair of the Havasupai Tribe, told reporters a monument would safeguard tribal ancestral homelands, cultural sites and water resources from the harmful effects of mining. The area is rich in uranium.

“We simply cannot live without these clean waters,” Tilousi said. “As guardians of the Grand Canyon, we have a duty not only to our ancestors…but to our children and future generations.”"

Chris D'Angelo reports for HuffPost April 11, 2023.

Source: HuffPost, 04/12/2023