Biden Plans to Establish Chuckwalla Monument, Sources tell Washington Post

Two anonymous sources told the Washington Post today
that President Joe Biden plans to sign a proclamation that would establish
a Chuckwalla National Monument south of Joshua Tree National Park.
The two sources were ``briefed on the announcement,'' according to the
Post, that would make drilling, mining and other energy- and industrial-
related activity illegal in the area. They also claimed that a similar
establishment would be made surrounding the Sáttítla National Monument in
Northern California.
Having previously advocated in Washington, D.C. for Biden to issue
such a designation, Southern California tribal leaders spoke about their
intentioned to protect the homelands of the Iviatim, Nüwü, Pipa Aha Macav,
Kwatsáan and Maara'yam peoples, also known as the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mohave
(CRIT Mohave), Quechan and Serrano nations in October.
``Since time immemorial, we have called the lands in the proposed
Chuckwalla National Monument home,'' said Secretary Altrena Santillanes of the
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. ``These lands contain thousands of
cultural places and objects of vital importance to the history and identity of
the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.''
The proposed monument would encompass approximately 627,000 acres of
public lands, as well as protect approximately 17,000 additional acres in the
Eagle Mountains.
Advocates say it would also ``protect important heritage values tied
to the land, such as multi-use trail systems established by Indigenous peoples
and sacred sites,'' in addition to further recognizing tribal sovereignty and
allow new ways for tribes to co-steward their homelands with federal agencies.
They said added protections for public lands would increase
equitability in accessing the natural parts of the eastern Coachella Valley and
surrounding areas, such as Mecca's Painted Canyon trail and the Bradshaw Trail
in southeastern Riverside County.
As outlined, the potential monument holds spiritual significance and
contains natural resources sustaining multiple Indigenous peoples.
The organization Protect Chuckwalla cited the proposal as
complementary to the developmental Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
Monument boundaries were drawn not to interfere with areas the DRECP focused on
as ``suitable for renewable energy development,'' with the DRECP in turn
identifying parts of the lands in the eastern Coachella Valley as necessary for
biological conservation.
``As the original stewards of these lands we have been tasked with
preserving the cultural, natural, and spiritual values imparted by our
ancestors,'' said David Harper of the Mojave Elders for the Colorado River
Indian Tribes. ``Therefore, caring for these lands is a sacred duty and
honor.''
At least two dozen members of the previous California congressional
delegation, including Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, Senator Alex Padilla and former
Senator Laphonza Butler, have called for the issuance of a Presidential
Proclamation under the 1906 Antiquities Act to formally approve the national
monument.
The idea also has support from tribal leaders and representatives, at
least eight city governments in the Coachella Valley and over 225 local
businesses and establishments.
``For the Quechan people, a national monument designation status for
the land means preserving the lifeways, culture, stories and teachings that
connect us to our past, present and future,'' said Donald Medart Jr. of the
Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe Council. ``We're calling on President Biden to
help us continue to share the beauty of these places that our ancestors
entrusted us to steward by indefinitely protecting them.''
More information about the campaign to establish Chuckwalla National
Monument can be found at protectchuckwalla.org.
Article via City News Service