Bears Ears isn’t a partisan issue, it’s a living cultural landscape that holds deep meaning for Tribal Nations. In this op-ed, Ute Mountain Ute Councilman and Bears Ears Commission Co-Chair Malcolm Lehi calls for durable protections rooted in collaboration, Tribal knowledge, and respect for future generations.
For generations, the five Tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition have worked to protect Bears Ears, a sacred landscape rich with history and cultural significance. Despite past setbacks, the commitment to Tribal-led stewardship and lasting protections remains strong. Read more about this effort in Curtis Yanito’s latest letter to the editor, published in the 3/12/25 edition of the San Juan Record.
At the heart of the Hopi world lies a profound responsibility to steward and protect the lands known to us as Hopitutskwa. Our obligation to care for these lands extends beyond Hopi’s current jurisdictional boundaries.
