Voices from Bears Ears: Seeking Common Ground on Sacred Land

In southeastern Utah’s canyon land lies an area filled with evidence of formidable geologic events, records of ancient American cultural traditions, vistas of breathtaking beauty enclosed within a framework of incredible tranquility, but also within this landscape are rich treasures hidden in undeveloped land resources. Jutting out from mesas, two protruding buttes resembling bears ears forged the label for this currently disputed site. Designated as a national monument in 2016 by President Obama, this more than one-million-acre site in the following year was reduced by 85% by President Trump, thus opening this preserved site to mineral mining and gas and oil exploitation, as well as to land-grabs for cattle ranching. In this compact, encyclopedic publication, writer Rebecca Robinson has collected twenty stories from individuals concerned about the future of this area along with numerous interviews with native tribe members and local residents. Noted photographer Stephen Strom has annotated the book with spectacularly arresting views of the monument’s sites and its historical relics, as well as photos of the storytellers. Area maps are enclosed as well as an historical timeline showing the changes that have taken place. This is a rich resource useful for awareness of the diverse interests involved in conserving public lands.