Grijalva Champions Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Proposal for Southern Arizona

Woolsey Peak, located within the proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument in southern Arizona. Photo courtesy Dawn Kish, The Wilderness Society.

A Democratic congressman from Tucson has put forth legislation to protect over 370,000 acres in southern Arizona. The purpose of the bill is to establish the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument. This proposed area comprises 376,963 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

“The Great Bend of the Gila is a sacred place, rich with history and deeply significant to all the communities connected to it,” stated U.S. Rep Raúl M. Grijalva. The introduction of the bill aims to safeguard this treasure trove of cultural, historical, and natural resources. Mineral extraction would be permanently banned within the monument’s boundaries, though existing grazing leases will remain unaffected.

The act seeks to honor and integrate tribal perspectives into land management. “The Great Bend of the Gila National Monument would expand the legacy of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Commission and the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni,” Grijalva added, referencing monuments created in Utah and Arizona.

The Great Bend area holds profound significance for at least 13 federally recognized tribes. “The Great Bend represents our lives past and present,” said Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe Tribal Council Member Gloria L. McGee. She emphasized the potential danger to the site without prioritized preservation efforts.

This bill aims to protect and restore the region’s invaluable resources. Grijalva expressed pride in introducing the legislation, underscoring the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage. If established, the monument will require collaboration with tribal nations for its management.

Bringing tribal voices to the forefront of land management is seen as a critical step. “Bringing tribal voices to the forefront of land management is not just a moral imperative — it is key to ensuring that our natural legacy can be protected for generations to come,” Grijalva commented.

The Interior Secretary would be mandated to consult with tribes on the management of the monument. A tribal commission will be formed to provide recommendations and guide the development of a management plan.

The bill has garnered support from various tribes. “The Tohono O’odham Nation and other tribes have deep cultural and religious connections to the Great Bend of the Gila stretching back to time immemorial,” remarked Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose.

Tribal leaders emphasized the importance of preserving these lands for future generations. The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe expressed their support, highlighting the area’s historical significance. “The rock writings and geoglyphs tell of the ancient First Yavapai People,” stated Tribe President Robert Ogo.

Thirteen federally recognized tribes have ties to this region, each holding cultural and ancestral connections that date back to time immemorial. The proposed monument stands to safeguard these ties while preserving a vital part of America’s Indigenous and environmental heritage.