** Women of Bears Ears call for its protection
------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, April 26, 2021
Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument. Photo by Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed])
The Women of Bears Ears, who describe themselves ([link removed]) as "Indigenous women who support our families and communities in the protections of ancestral lands," are calling on President Biden to protect their ancestral homelands and restore protections for Bears Ears National Monument in Utah.
Over the weekend, the women published an opinion piece in the New York Times ([link removed]) in which they describe in detail and with passionate resolve the cultural significance of Bears Ears. They ask ([link removed]) Interior Secretary Haaland to listen to their voices as she and others in the administration evaluate former President Trump's 2017 decision to slash the size of Bears Ears by 85% and open it up to fossil fuel development and other extractive activities. Secretary Haaland promised ([link removed]) "bold thinking" on indigenous issues ahead of the first meeting of the reconstituted White House Council on Native American Affairs last week.
In addition to describing their personal and historic connection to the lands contained within the original boundaries of the monument designated by former President Obama, the women call out vocal opponents of Bears Ears, including Utah Senator Mike Lee, who recently said ([link removed]) the designation makes local communities "impoverished" and threatens livelihoods. In response to the Senator's comments, the Women of Bears Ears say ([link removed]) , “Whose livelihoods? Our lands have been exploited and destroyed. Our homes were burned. Our elders and our children were killed. We were removed from our home ground. The history of the Long Walk remains. Our ancestors footprints remain. What livelihood?”
The Women of Bears Ears' words are a powerful force to be reckoned with, warning decision-makers ([link removed]) at all levels that "we need to be consulted and asked for our consent before planning and developing, digging, buying and selling, leasing, drilling, fracking, mining and foresting" and that restoring the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument is akin to a relative in need of protection.
Quick hits
** California to ban fracking by 2024
------------------------------------------------------------
NPR ([link removed])
** Reversal of methane rule rollback to move forward this week
------------------------------------------------------------
E&E News ([link removed])
** Opinion: Why President Biden must restore protections for Bears Ears National Monument
------------------------------------------------------------
New York Times ([link removed])
** Congressman Joe Neguse leads listening session on 30x30 goal
------------------------------------------------------------
Vail Daily ([link removed])
** The Biden administration's message at the Leaders Summit on Climate: America is back
------------------------------------------------------------
Vox ([link removed])
** Opinion: Updating the federal oil and gas leasing system will benefit all
------------------------------------------------------------
Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
** Idaho senate approves bill to kill up to 90% of wolves in the state
------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press ([link removed])
** Opinion: 21st Century conservation requires collaboration across landscapes
------------------------------------------------------------
The Hill ([link removed])
Quote of the day
As our elected officials think about this hearing and the process the administration is undertaking to consider updates to the onshore oil and gas leasing program, it is important to reflect that this is a system that has operated decade after decade without sensible updates or a thorough review. It is simply a matter of good governance to examine how the federal leasing system is operating and, in particular, how it is or isn’t benefiting our taxpayers and wildlife. Every program needs a check-up every so often and this hearing provides an important opportunity for Congress to do just that.
—Joshua Coursey ([link removed]) , president/CEO of the Muley Fanatic Foundation
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
It's a moonbow! The @YosemiteNPS ([link removed]) lunar rainbows are rare and typically are visible in spring and early summer and can be seen on park waterfalls at night. Have you ever heard of a moonbow? #NationalParkWeek ([link removed]) Photo by Harold Fritsche ([link removed] ([link removed]) )
============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
