The Grand Canyon is re-opening, without informing visitors of the Navajo Nation's strict lockdown
https://heated.world/p/a-deadly-re-opening
Emily Atkin
Like all indigenous communities, the Navajo Nation is deeply tied to the natural world. Its elders in particular hold invaluable knowledge about the changing environmentknowledge which climate scientists rely on to inform their research and perspectives about the planet.
Its a bit ironic, then, that nature-lovers now pose the biggest threat to the Navajo community and its vital knowledge. Thats because over the weekend, the National Park Service decided to re-open Grand Canyon National Parkapparently without informing visitors of the Navajo Nations strict lockdown, curfew, and social distancing rules, which are now in place until June 7.
Combined with Arizona Governor Doug Duceys decision to re-open Arizonas economy over the weekend, the National Park Services decision to re-open the Grand Canyon has left Navajo leaders concerned that they may not be able to control what happens to their people. Even a slow phase of reopening one of the largest tourist destinations in the world will overwhelm our communities, Vice President Myron Lizer said in a statement.
Some Navajo activists are calling on those in the environmental community to step up and help. We need a rapid response, said Bleu Adams, cofounder of Protect Native Elders.
A lot of our knowledge is held with the elders, she added. If theyre gone, we lose everything.
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