President Trumps Bears Ears Order Is An Illegal Attack On Tribal Sovereignty [View all]

[sheshe2]

The action fits a long pattern of discrimination and disrespect.
12/04/2017 04:51 pm ET

A year ago, the Obama administration took the extraordinary and long-awaited step to designate Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Bears Ears has been home to Native peoples since time immemorial, and we cherish it for its cultural, spiritual, and archaeological importance.

Indigenous people have been caring for Bears Ears for countless generations, but formal protections under American law for the entirety of the area were made permanent only with the creation of Bears Ears National Monument. Five tribes (Hopi, Navajo, Ute, Ute Mountain Ute and Zuni) worked with the U.S. Government to protect our sacred ancestral lands at Bears Ears, and it was an example of our government-to-government relationship in action. Last year’s announcement brought some closure, as well as a powerful sense of justice after decades-long goals had finally been met. But all of this changed in an instant.

Today, President Trump made history by undoing all of this, walking back the progress that had been made with the federal government. Never before has a U.S. president tried to reduce a national monument to such a degree for so little reason.

President Trump does not have the authority to take the action he took today. Under the Antiquities Act, the president may create national monuments. That is all. He or she may not modify or revoke existing monuments — only Congress has that ability. Trump’s actions are illegal, unwarranted, and deeply unpopular. And they are a blatant attack on tribal sovereignty and self-determination.

Read More: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-bears-ears-tribal-sovereignty_us_5a25b663e4b03c44072fcc02?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

There is no reason for him to do this other than to thumb his nose in disrespect to Indigenous People and line the pockets of some Utah politicians as they rape the land for profit.