My Turn: We need a new vision for the Grand Canyon
My Turn: Developing public land near the Grand Canyon risks limited water, beautiful landscapes and tribal culture.
My birthday is usually an exciting time of celebration when I take the opportunity to reflect on the previous year and, most importantly, to look toward the future.
Our nation has a big celebration coming up too, on Aug. 25, when the National Park Service celebrates its 100th birthday.
I am hoping this centennial celebration will be a time for President Barack Obama and all Americans to do more than just celebrate our national parks and other public lands, but to develop a vision for public lands conservation in the next century.
As a former “Miss Teen Navajo Nation,” I have the utmost respect for my Navajo culture. I come from a family that is very traditional.
Mining doesn't just hurt a tourist attraction
I am the Tangle Clan, born from the Towering House people. My maternal grandparents are the Apache people and my paternal grandparents are the Zuni people. My strong cultural connection helps to keep me centered at heart.
You may know the Canyon as a tourist attraction that draws five million visitors from around the world every year, but for me, it is my second home; the reservation is my first.
This is why I support U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s efforts to protect public lands around the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining and other threats.
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"The proximity of mining claims to the Colorado River, which supplies drinking water for some 30 million people, and the danger to the irreplaceable natural wonder of the Grand Canyon calls for urgent action,” Grijalva said when he introduced the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument Act in November.
I agree. Development of the public lands around the Canyon risks Arizona’s limited water supplies and — this is important to me — could despoil the landscapes that have cultural significance to my and other tribes.
It is home to sacred cultural sites, rare natural resources, including the Colorado River, and recreational hunting and fishing areas. From the dirt and rocks to the trees and watersheds, this place is steeped in human history and has deep cultural roots.
What Obama must do next
President Obama understands the importance of preserving cultural history. He has protected Chimney Rock in Colorado, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and other places with cultural significance to tribes. He restored the name of Mount McKinley in Alaska to Mount Denali, its Alaska Native name.
His administration also recently protected the sacred Badger Two Medicine area of Montana from oil and gas drilling.
MORE:Radiation rise halts Canyon mining permits
As a singer and songwriter, I know my voice can have an impact, which is why I am speaking up for my tribe and others in seeking continued conservation of our heritage on public lands.
Obama could use his authority under the Antiquities Act to protect the public lands around the Grand Canyon and the Bears Ears landscape, and I hope he will do so. But then he must do more.
When the president celebrates the National Park Service centennial, he should outline a vision for his successors to ensure Native people are engaged in the protection of public lands.
Involve the tribes in this new vision
That could mean greater tribal engagement in interpretation or protection of key tribal resources in national parks, forests and other public lands. That could mean new initiatives to recruit and hire tribal youth in public lands agencies, especially for positions that could use our cultural understanding. That could mean a more inclusive and welcoming system of public lands that “show honor, respect and gratitude” to the broad diversity of our nation’s people.
The contributions and sacrifices of American Indian tribes are etched in the hearts of our people, on the landscape of the Grand Canyon and other public lands we all enjoy.
President Obama must lead the way on a public lands vision that honors our cultural traditions — and safeguards our future.
Krishel Augustine, “Miss Teen Navajo 2013-2014,” is a singer and songwriter. She is part of the Diverse Environmental Leaders Speakers Bureau. Email her at Augustine.Krishel@gmail.com.