On August 2, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act. The goal of the Act is to protect a region to which at least 13 federally recognized tribes, including the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, claim cultural and ancestral connections.

Located in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert within Maricopa and Yuma counties, the natural landscape of the Great Bend is home to fragile desert species, petroglyphs, cliffs and pronounced lava flows. If established, the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument would protect 376,963 acres of land.

“The Great Bend of the Gila is a sacred place rich with history and deeply significant to all the communities connected to it,” said Grijalva. “I am proud to stand alongside the tribes and honor their years of dedication to preserving the cultural, historical and natural heritage of this magnificent landscape by introducing this legislation.”

According to a press release issued by the Respect Great Bend Coalition, the effort to establish a monument is urgent because of “increased development, pernicious vandalism of petroglyphs, and recreational pressures from rapidly growing Phoenix and West Valley communities.”

If the new bill doesn’t pass, it would be up to the President of the United States to designate the site as a national monument under the Antiquities Act.

“The Tohono O’odham Nation and other tribes have deep cultural and religious connections to the Great Bend of the Gila stretching back to time immemorial,” said Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose. “We appreciate Congressman Grijalva’s leadership in working to protect this environmental and cultural treasure. This bill also ensures that tribes continue to have a voice in the future of these lands and how they will be protected in the years to come. The Tohono O’odham Nation urges passage of this important bill that will safeguard a vital part of America’s indigenous and environmental heritage.”

In August 2022, Grijalva introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives the Great Bend of the Gila Conservation Act, which had support from the SRPMIC.

“The SRPMIC emphatically supports the Great Bend of the Gila Conservation Act,” said SRPMIC President Martin Harvier at the time. “The proposed legislation not only will establish two new conservation areas and protect cultural heritage lands important to the O’odham, it also ensures that associated tribal governments would be consulted on the co-management of the designated lands.”

The 13 federally recognized tribal nations with cultural, historical, spiritual and ancestral ties to the region are the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Cocopah Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Tohono O’odham Nation, Yavapai-Apache Nation and Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe.