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Show CEA Report Native American Issues [ LEN CANYON DAM and Powell reservoir have had \ j mixed impacts on the Navajo and other Native American tribes in the region. Native Americans have inhabited this land over many millennia and their way of life is deeply rooted in their relationship with the land. The Hopi, Pai, Paiute, Navajo, Yavapai, Hualapai and Havasupai all have current and historical ties to the region. 38 While tourist dollars and inexpensive electricity have benefited otherwise isolated reservation towns, this has come at great expense in terms of culture and religion. 28 CULTURE • The Glen Canyon area was inhabited by Native American cultures long before invasion of white settlers. Vast archaeological resources were destroyed by the flooding of Glen Canyon. • Over 2000 archaeological sites were documented by the University of Utah and Northern Arizona University prior to inundation that included dwellings, pottery, petroglyphs, baskets, etc. 37 • Powell reservoir flooded the area under Rainbow Bridge, which has long been a spiritual symbol to the Navajo and Hopi. Many Native Americans are uncomfortable with increasing recreational visitation to this and other sacred sites. 26 • Twenty- five feet of sediment has already filled in the canyon beneath Rainbow Bridge. 2 • The Navajo Nation has argued that the flooding desecrated the area around Rainbow Bridge. They claimed the BOR, NPS, the states of Colorado and Utah, and the Southwestern and Colorado Water Conservation Districts violated their religious rights under the First Amendment ( Badoni vs. Higginson). Figure 13 One of hundreds of petroglyphs now covered by the waters of Powell reservoir ( Jean Bennett, June 1962). ECONOMIC ISSUES • The unemployment rate on the Navajo Reservation is between 27% and 42%. 21' 25 • The Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona and the associated Kayenta Coal Mine employ 1456 Native Americans. 21 • The Navajo Nation is currently developing marina and resort facilities at Antelope Point, on the southern shoreline of Powell reservoir. 21 • It is anticipated that Antelope Point Marina will employ about 300 people, many of whom will be Navajo. However profits from this enterprise will go to a private corporation rather than the Navajo people. 21 • Land inundated by Powell reservoir formerly belonged to the Navajo Nation, which retains mineral rights to the land. • Navajo communities in the area surrounding Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are partially dependent on tourist dollars. However many tourists pass through the area to visit other destinations such as Grand Canyon. 21 llllllllllll! page 16 |
