Yá étééhJohn,

My name is Tara Benally, and I’m Stewardship Utah’s San Juan County Organizer. I grew up in southern San Juan County, Utah, and am of Hopi descent. The Diné (Navajo) Bítahníí clan (Folded Arms People) raised my family, and I was born to the Diné clan Nitłachíí (Marks on the Cheek People). 

Some of you already know that Stewardship Utah is the product of a merger between O2 Utah and the Rural Utah Project, both of which have unique origin stories. I come from the Rural Utah Project side. I want to talk to you about the Rural Utah Project's origins and how grassroots organizing for local elections led to Bears Ears National Monument protection.

The Rural Utah Project’s story begins in 2018, shortly after then-President Donald Trump slashed the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument. The Bears Ears region is deeply woven into my family history, holding stories passed down through generations. It is a place that has a profound significance for me, as I frequently visit it to connect with my ancestors. Additionally, the Bears Ears National Monument is a revered place for the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, and Ute Indian Tribe, all of which form the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition.

When the Rural Utah Project arrived in the Utah area of the Navajo Nation, it was a significant opportunity for change. Initially, my focus was on registering as many community members as possible. However, I soon discovered that the community's needs extended beyond mere registration; they were eager for transformation and change. This realization underscored the potential to positively impact our livelihoods and heritage, such as our efforts to protect the Bears Ears National Monument.

Photo of Bears Ears Buttes courtesy of Tim Peterson.

During that first year, the Rural Utah Project and the communities we work in made strides by electing a majority of Diné representatives, with Kenneth Maryboy and Willie Greyeyes taking office as San Juan County Commissioners. This election marked a significant shift, as the Diné community previously faced exclusion from crucial discussions. Now, we assert our right to participate in decision-making processes and demand that our viewpoints be acknowledged and respected. This monumental moment allowed us to help decide how public lands in San Juan County must be managed–starting with reversing the county's stance on Bears Ears National Monument and restoring its protections.

The Diné people understand that the bond between people and land will always be acknowledged for generations. Fundamental elements such as air, fire, water, and earth are essential for sustaining life and thus must be respected. The sacred mountains hold significant importance and deserve honor. From time immemorial, it has been understood and continued to teach our youth that all living beings possess their rights and laws, and the Diné community is responsible for acting as stewards of the environment. With the election of Diné community members to county commissioners, we could finally participate in a new method of protecting these lands through policy development, resource management, and intergovernmental partnerships. We now had a seat at the table and could make tangible changes in our community informed by our traditions and generational knowledge. 

The sacred bond between Mother Earth and Father Sky warrants respect, as does the proper protocol surrounding using sacred elements and land. The Diné are committed to preserving the natural world for the benefit of future generations. There is no more room for doubt or confusion about the significance of Bears Ears. Those who recognize the importance of establishing this National Monument are taking a stand and making their voices heard. Stewardship Utah and I are excited to be partnering with Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance for their rally for public lands on January 11th, Standing Together: Land, Love, & Hope, at the Utah State Capitol. This rally will bring together communities and passionate public lands advocates from across the state to show our legislature that Utahns love our public lands and we are not alone.

While our initial focus was voter registration, our work to advocate with communities across Utah will continue. We’ve done this work before– from helping restore and protect the Bears Ears National Monument to stopping the Book Cliffs Highway. We know that Bears Ears will be targeted again with this upcoming administration, and we’re prepared to fight for its protection again. We aim to help individuals understand their role within a system that may feel unfamiliar while recognizing and sharing its potential for our communities across Utah. My people deserve better than having our sacred lands constantly targeted and threatened every election cycle. Together, we can protect the land, air, and water of all peoples of Utah.

Náásgóó Ho zhó ’Áhodoolnííł,

Tara Benally,

San Juan County Organizer

[email protected]

www.stewardshiputah.org