Flagstaff, Ariz. (August 8, 2023) – Today, President Joe Biden announced the designation of a Tribally led proposal to designate nearly 1 million acres of public lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park as the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. This is really something worth celebrating. It marks a momentous time in history, and Kahtoola extends their deepest gratitude to the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition for boldly leading this effort.
The monument designation is an acknowledgement of the deep cultural ties so many Tribes have to these lands and to the Grand Canyon. These protections recognize Tribal ancestral homelands and go a step farther by including Tribal leaders in the management of them. Through a co-managed approach, these federally owned public lands will be stewarded and preserved for generations to come, aided by the centuries old wisdom of the original inhabitants of these landscapes. Importantly, this designation will serve to protect precious water sources of the region by permanently taking new uranium mining claims off the table. In effect, all plants, animals, and people will benefit.
Kahtoola, based in Flagstaff, has been a growing employer in the area since 1999 and has been working to raise awareness of uranium mining around the Grand Canyon for years. Kahtoola is not only dedicated to making excellent outdoor gear, but to supporting Indigenous cultures and promoting environmental stewardship. The Colorado Plateau, especially the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas, have incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation for local residents and for millions of visitors from around the world every year. Now, with these protections in place, these opportunities will exist for generations to come.
“This designation marks a positive stride towards recognizing the importance of tending to our public lands and the well-being of the Native communities intertwined with them,” said Danny Giovale, founder and owner of Kahtoola. “We extend our wholehearted congratulations to the Tribes and their advocates for their dedicated efforts in pursuit of these goals. This collective endeavor ensures that the invaluable landscape remains a legacy for the forthcoming generations. Let us now channel our energies into collaborative stewardship, which is essential for effectively overseeing our public lands, ultimately benefiting everyone involved. Thank you, President Joe Biden, Secretaries Haaland and Vilsack, Representative Grijalva, Senators Sinema and Kelly, and Representatives Gallego and Stanton for their leadership and actions. Thanks as well to our local leaders and community supporters.”
For more information on the monument designation please visit the Biden Administration’s fact sheet.
About Kahtoola: Since 1999, Kahtoola has been dedicated to empowering people by building exceptional outdoor gear and through a focused commitment to philanthropy, conservation and sustainability. Kahtoola’s gaiters, hiking crampons, and flexible footwear traction systems, including MICROspikes®, EXOspikes™ and NANOspikes®, are built to improve safety and performance in wintry locales around the globe. Every product is thoughtfully designed and vigorously tested at the brand’s Flagstaff, AZ headquarters high on the Colorado Plateau. Owned and operated by founder Danny Giovale, Kahtoola proudly grants 1% of annual sales through the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program to organizations that support indigenous cultures, outdoor community and environmental responsibility. For more information, please visit Kahtoola.com.
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