The US Has a New National Monument Near the Grand Canyon—And It Has Special Meaning for Native American Tribes

"Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni is a newly created national monument by President Joe Biden, covering 917,618 acres across three distinct sites north and south of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It is significant for its cultural, spiritual, and environmental value, being home to wildlife like bison, elk, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and rare cactus species. The area encompasses plateaus, canyons, Colorado River tributaries, and countless culturally and spiritually significant sites for the Indigenous peoples of the Southwest. The monument reflects the administration’s pledge to prioritize Native American issues and protect the area from destructive mining."