Bears Ears – An Indigenous Perspective

Wild Utah

Bears Ears National Monument has been in the news for years due to its status as a national monument being in flux– and as it finally enters its official planning process, we’re looking to Indigenous leaders to tell us what co-management (and the change in agency culture it could take to make that happen successfully) really mean.

A note: It’s at this stage of the planning process that the Bureau of Land Management receives input from the public to prioritize issues they should focus on. The current open comment period (which ends October 31st) is your golden opportunity to help shape the future of the Bears Ears National Monument and echo sentiments put forward by the Indigenous voices leading the way.

Joining us for this essential conversation about the role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership for Bears Ears National Monument and beyond is Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, whom we’re honored to have on the show. Regina is a fierce advocate for nature who has served as a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council. She’s a former co-chair of the Bears Ears Inter-tribal Coalition and helped lead the effort that resulted in the Bears Ears being designated as a national monument. She has been appointed by Department of Interior Secretary Haaland to serve as the Chair of the current Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee, and she also serves on SUWA’s board of directors.

Take action after this episode!

The BLM is accepting comments until 10/31 as part of the scoping process. This is your chance to tell the BLM what issues are important for them to consider as they develop a draft management plan.

Comment Today!

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Theme music is by Haley Noel Austin, with interlude music by Larry Pattis.

Dave Pacheco is the host of Wild Utah.

Post studio production and editing is by Laura Borichevsky.