Whoa. Alright, let’s dive into this chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and words. We’re talking about Native tribes and their giant leap forward in telling their own stories — like a roller coaster, shout-out to Peterson Zah for that gem metaphor — for a moment that’s long overdue and deserves some wild celebration.
So, six tribes from the Southwest decided it was time to crank up the volume and make themselves heard. They created this powerhouse called the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Inter-Tribal Coalition — yeah, that’s a mouthful, but it’s big news. Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition paved the way, and now these tribes are rockin’ it too. Imagine, for a second, Indigenous voices becoming pivotal in land management. It’s like a cultural earthquake in American society. And let’s face it, we need all the good news we can get these days.
Now let’s hit pause and flashback to the 90s. Picture me, wandering around the Southwest, camera in hand, jotting down stories from the heart of Native America. Those memories, man, they’re full of warmth and resilience. I’d sit with the Hopi, Navajo, and many others, just soaking in their narratives. Fast forward to now, and it’s awesome, yet fitting, to see Native folks stepping up, owning their space, and demanding to be front and center in their narratives — even TV and politics are catching up. Big ups to people like Deb Haaland and Chuck Sams paving the way while Biden rolls out apologies and new monuments left and right. Who’d have thunk it?
But this isn’t just about feels and politics. It’s about legacy, tradition, and that deep spiritual connection Indigenous folks have with these lands. Here’s something Autumn Gillard from the Paiute Indian Tribe said that sticks with me: “We’re living descendants of ancestors who left their marks on Grand Staircase-Escalante.” So much depth in those words. These lands and folks go way, WAY back. Like 13,000 years back. Mind-blowing, right?
Sure, Trump and his cronies tried to swipe at their sovereignty like cats at curtains, but these efforts are nothing more than a blip — a tiny mark in this ongoing saga of resilience. Ned Blackhawk nailed it with the whole “rediscovery of America,” because that’s exactly what’s happening. It’s not rebranding; it’s reawakening.
This whole inter-tribal coalition thing? It’s a beacon, a solid reminder that, despite all the attempts to brush Native people under the historical rug, they’re not just surviving. They’re thriving, telling their story their way. Let’s not be the clueless folks who only tune in every 20 years when Hollywood decides to spotlight a Native tale. Instead, let’s support these coalitions and keep the spotlight on that indigenous wisdom. ‘Cause, you know, it’s not just their story — it’s part of all our stories now.
