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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our hike up Red Butte. Red Butte is a sacred mountain to many Tribes and Tribal Nations in the region and is located within the newly designated Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. From the top of the Butte, we could see Pinyon Plain Mine and its close proximity to the Grand Canyon. We were joined by members of the Havasupai Tribe who shared their relationship to the landscape and perspectives on Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine, a uranium mine located within the Monument, grandfathered in due to outdated laws. Laura Crossey and Karl Karlstrom of the University of New Mexico also joined us. Laura and Karl have been studying the geology and hydrology of this region for decades and shared with us their concerns over the dangers of the mine regarding the aquifer it pierces and the aquifer below.
This trip was both a joyful and somber experience. Spending time with each other, connecting to the land, sharing our stories, knowledge, joy, and concerns over a place we all hold deeply within our hearts was life-giving. Simultaneously, seeing the mine from above, knowing how imminent the threat is to this region as mining has officially begun, and considering how hauling may happen in the not-so-distant future, only reengaged our passions and commitment to shutting down and cleaning up the mine.
We look forward to spending more time together at Red Butte and hope you can join us for our next trip.
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