“President Trump Should Leave It Alone, Respect Our People”:
Utah Diné Bikéyah Responds to Announcement that Trump Will Unlawfully Eliminate Portions of Bears Ears National Monument
For Immediate Release: October 27, 2017
Contact – Gavin Noyes: (801) 521-7398, Nizhone Meza: (801) 659-0656
Today’s announcement by Senator Hatch that President Trump plans to reduce Bears Ears National Monument is a sign of great disrespect to local Native Americans, who have worked in good faith with the U.S. government to establish, support, and maintain Bears Ears National Monument.
Jonah Yellowman, UDB Board Member and Spiritual Advisor, said, “Bears Ears holds our prayers, medicine, and sacred grounds. Bears Ears National Monument honors Native Americans and provides a path for healing. President Trump should leave it alone and respect our people.”
UDB Chairman Willie Grayeyes stated, “Secretary Zinke refused to meet with the Native American community in San Juan County, and locals cannot recall a single time in Senator Hatch’s 42-year career when he has ever visited our reservations in San Juan County. Senator Hatch does not represent grassroots low-income people. Instead of further agitating our community along racial lines, we ask President Trump to stop the harm he is causing. Please leave all protections in place.”
The Native American community in San Juan County invites President Trump to come to Monument Valley, Utah, to meet with and hear from the local people. Our ancestors have lived in and around Bears Ears for millennia, and we still rely on Bears Ears to this day. UDB will continue to work tirelessly with the five sovereign tribal nations of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition to ensure that Native American voices are honored and Bears Ears National Monument remains duly protected.
Click on the image below to see the official press release.
