In a recent push to secure the future of Arizona's Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National Monument, Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego have formally called upon the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, to stand against any potential actions that might compromise the newly designated site. Nestled around the visually compelling Grand Canyon, the monument's protection is a subject of bipartisan concern and cultural sensitivity. It is not only a natural marvel but also a testament to the sprawling history and cultural significance that it holds for the indigenous peoples and the state at large.
The two senators outlined the profound significance of the monument in an open letter, as reported by Senator Kelly's press releases. They drew attention to its economic impact, supporting over 10,000 jobs and infusing over $1 billion into Arizona's economy. Moreover, the monument is home to more than 3,000 historic and cultural sites, enshrining millennia of human history. Artifacts and evidence of Stone Age habitation contribute not only to an Arizona's legacy but also to our very understanding of human civilization.
Public backing for the preservation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni is overwhelming, with statistics reflecting broad approval across political and demographic lines. "A recent poll shows that 80 percent of Arizonans support the monument, including 72 percent of Republicans and 71 percent of voters who supported President Trump," the senators conveyed in the letter. The push for the monument's sustained protection has also drawn together a diverse coalition of Arizona's tribes, local businesses, and groups representing a spectrum of interests from faith communities to outdoor recreation enthusiasts, as per Senator Kelly.
Cognizant of the unity that the monument has galvanized, Senators Kelly and Gallego's appeal is also grounded in the desire for stability and assurance for local communities and tribes who want to proceed with managing the monument without the specter of uncertainty. They concluded their plea with a call for reassurance from Secretary Burgum, stating, "Tribes and Arizona communities deserve to move on with the management planning process for this National Monument rather than worry that there may be attempts to remove it." Their concerted efforts echo a profound respect for the past and a vigilant eye towards the future of Arizona's national treasures, detailed by Senator Kelly's official release.
