Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 6h

Bears Ears remains a place of ceremony, healing, and connection. It holds deep cultural meaning for many Tribal Nations and continues to be central to living traditions and lifeways.

Much progress has been made, and there is still work to do.

Ahéhee’ – Kwakwhay – Askwali – Elahkwa – Tog’oiak’

2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 6h

Today marks 4 years since the restoration of BENM.

Since 2021, the 5 Tribes of the Bears Ears Commission have led efforts to protect this living landscape. Earlier this year, the Resource Management Plan was finalized after years of work guided by Tribal leadership.

📸: Tim Peterson & Eco Flight

1 2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 1d

Support the Tribes' work here: www.earthgives.org/organization...

Thank you - Ahéhee' - Kwakwhay - Askwali - Elahkwa - Tog'oiak'

Earth Gives Day

Let's make a change together. Join me in investing in climate and environmental nonprofits on Earth Gives Day, October 7, 2025!

www.earthgives.org

1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 1d

If you believe in Indigenous-led solutions that protect the land for future generations, now’s the time to act. Give today through the @earthgives.bsky.social portal and stand with us in protecting Bears Ears.

1 2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 1d

Starting this morning, donations of $100 or more will be matched, doubling your impact in protecting sacred landscapes and advancing Indigenous leadership in the care of our national public lands.

1 1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 1d

Today is Earth Gives Day!

This national day of giving shines a light on nonprofits working to protect our health, lands, and shared future. The BEITC plays a key role in advancing Tribal-informed stewardship of ancestral lands, and your continued support ensures this vital work can move forward.

1 5

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 7d

Protecting these monuments also safeguards Americans’ access to clean water, healthy wildlife habitat, and national public lands that belong to all of us.

Read more about the data here: www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2025/5/...

Voters Oppose Shrinking the Size of National Monuments

Voters strongly oppose the Trump administration's proposal to shrink the size of six national monuments.

www.dataforprogress.org

1 3

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 7d

Protections for these ancestral landscapes must reflect public values, uphold Tribal leadership, and honor the cultural and ecological significance of these places, not be driven by partisan agendas.

1 1 3

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 7d

Reducing their boundaries—or weakening the Resource Management Plans that safeguard them—would be a political move against the will of the people and a setback to the cooperative, Tribal-informed management these places deserve.

1 1 1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 7d

As partners working to protect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
(gsepartners.bsky.social), we know these landscapes are sacred and irreplaceable.

1 1 1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 7d

--> Nearly half of Republicans oppose reductions

This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s about protecting national public lands & honoring Tribal ancestral homelands. A clear majority of Americans are calling for unity, collaboration, and long-term commitment to our national monuments.
📸: Stephen Trimble

1 1 1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 7d

The results confirm what we already know: the public overwhelmingly rejects shrinking national monuments.

--> 68% oppose reducing monument boundaries
--> Only 22% support

📸: M. Estrada

1 1 1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 7d

In May, Data for Progress asked likely voters how they feel about reducing national monuments like Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni.

📸: BEITC Staff (left), Jackie Grant (right)

1 2 6

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 8d

Stand with Tribal Nations and communities defending clean water, health, and sacred places.

All relatives and allies are welcome.

Find more info here: protectwhitemesa.org/join-the-whi...

Join the White Mesa Ute Community for the Spiritual Walk & Protest on Saturday, October 4, 2025

protectwhitemesa.org

2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 8d

--> White Mesa Ute Community Center, White Mesa, Utah, just south of Blanding off Highway 191, on the west side of the highway (White Mesa sits just outside of the BENM.)

--> The walk is about 5 miles on relatively flat pavement. Wear comfortable shoes & bring plenty of water.

1 2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 8d

--> Rally and spiritual walk led by White Mesa Concerned Community and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

--> Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MDT

--> The community is deeply concerned about contamination from the nearby uranium mill and the desecration of sacred sites.

1 1 2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 8d

Join us this Saturday for a spiritual walk standing with the Ute Mountain Ute Community of White Mesa. We’re showing up to protect community health, water, air, land, culture, and sacred places.

Slide 2: 📸 (c) Tim Peterson

1 5

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 11d

This weekend, honor our home outdoors:
--> If you visit public lands, please Visit With Respect.
--> Or join a local rally to stand with Tribes & communities defending the places we all depend on and love.

Thank you - Ahéhee' - Kwakwhay - Askwali - Elahkwa - Tog'oiak'

2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 11d

At the same time, the protection of our public lands is under pressure from political rollbacks, short-sighted decisions, and special-interest pushes that put communities, culture, clean water, and wildlife at risk.

1 1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 11d

At Bears Ears, that includes the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the Pueblo of Zuni, & other Tribal nations. Indigenous stewardship has cared for these landscapes since time immemorial & must be central to how we care for them.

1 1

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 11d

Today is National Public Lands Day, and this year’s theme is “Our Home Outdoors.”

As we celebrate, remember: Public lands are Native lands. National public lands are the ancestral homelands of Tribal Nations who are still here and remain deeply connected to these places.

📸: Tim Peterson

1 5

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 12d

Donate now via Earth Gives to help protect ancestral lands and advance Tribal-led solutions.

Give today, or plan your gift for Earth Gives Day on October 7!

Thank you - Ahéhee' - Kwakwhay - Askwali - Elahkwa - Tog'oiak'

www.earthgives.org/organization...

Earth Gives Day

Let's make a change together. Join me in investing in climate and environmental nonprofits on Earth Gives Day, October 7, 2025!

www.earthgives.org

2

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 12d

The BEITC is honored to be one of the featured organizations. Our work centers on protecting ancestral lands, upholding Tribal sovereignty, and carrying forward Indigenous stewardship as a solution for a healthier future.

1 3

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 12d

Only 2% of U.S. charitable giving goes to environmental nonprofits.

That’s why @earthgives.bsky.social was created: a national giving initiative to spark generosity, awareness, and action for nonprofits working to protect our planet.

1 1 3

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition @bearsearscoalition.bsky.social · 14d

It’s never too late to stand with the five Tribes: you can still give a gift at the link in the below. 👇

Ahéhee' - Kwakwhay - Askwali - Elahkwa - Tog'oiak' - Thank You

www.bearsearscoalition.org/donate/

Donate to Help Protect Bears Ears - Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Your donation supports the Coalition’s efforts to protect and preserve Bears Ears to ensure a more sustainable and resilient future.

www.bearsearscoalition.org

1 1