In the middle of the beautiful red rock desert of southeastern Utah lies Bears Ears National Monument, which protects 1.35 million acres of some of America’s most special land. Bears Ears is home to beautiful landscapes and a vast number of indigenous cultural sites such as rock art and cliff dwellings. Visitors also enjoy many recreational activities such as climbing, hiking, and rafting. One area of the Monument known as Indian Creek is especially well known for its world-class rock climbing, which draws visitors from all over the globe.
I’ve had the privilege to visit Bears Ears twice, once with friends and once with my college class. During those two backpacking trips, I especially enjoyed the dramatic canyon walls and the visible history of early inhabitants of the area.
What tribes is Bears Ears important to?
Bears Ears is held sacred by many tribes in the area, several of whom trace their ancestry to early peoples in the area. There are more than 100,000 archaeological and cultural sites from Native American tribes within the monument. The majority of these are at least 700 years old, and some date back to 12000 B.C.E. Five tribes in southern Utah were instrumental in organizing for the protection of Bears Ears as a National Monument. These tribes, which make up the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, are the:
- Hopi Tribe
- Navajo Nation
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Ute Mountain Tribe
These tribes are important advocates for Bears Ears, which protects some of their sacred ancestral lands.
What happened to Bears Ears National Monument?
Bears Ears is a relatively new monument, as it was only established in 2016 by President Barack Obama after local tribes advocated for its protection for years. Just one year later President Donald Trump shrunk the size of the Monument to a minuscule 228,000 acres – reducing it by 85% of its original size., President Joe Biden restored Bears Ears National monument to approximately its original 1.35 million acres. After Biden restored the Monument to its original size, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said, “This is a place that must be protected in perpetuity for every American and every child of the world.”
I couldn’t agree more. My time in Bears Ears has not only been a lot of fun but has also made me more aware of other cultures and peoples, and has made me appreciate the planet we live on so much more. It is imperative that it remains protected.
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Evan Spaniol is currently a junior double majoring in Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education and Leadership at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah. He loves Utah for its amazing access to beautiful natural landscapes and especially enjoys hiking and skiing in them.
