Locals & Quechan Tribe take flight over K’watsan proposed national monument

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Quechan Tribe is continuing its campaign for the K'watsán land to become a national monument.

The Biden Adminstration signed proclamations declaring 2/3 of the proposed lands into national monuments, including the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla national monuments. But the Quechan Tribe is contuing to campaign for the designation of the 3rd, the K'watsán land, to become a national monument.

"We've only been at it for approximately two years, so we're continuing to go strong. The support we've garnered this far has been immense, and hopefully we'll see it get across the finish line or at the very least see some legislation introduced on behalf of the K'watsán national monument and K'watsán people," said Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe councilmember Zion White.

"The land has always been important to the Quechan people. This is part of our ancestral land. Although it's not on the reservation, it's part of our greater ancestral territory," said Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe councilmember Jonathan Koteen.

The tribe says they are thankful to local and state leaders who have helped support their efforts and work to preserve the cultural and sacred land.

"We've gotten support from our state senate and the state assembly in California to pass senate joint resolution 17 and 16 in support of K.N.M, Chuckwalla and Sáttítla as well, so we're just so thankful to our state leaders as well for supporting this campaign," said councilmember White.

The tribe has gathered over 40 thousand signatures for their campaign. You can find the petition here.