Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe announce effort to establish National Monument

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe has proposed a new national monument in Imperial County calling on President Biden to protect over 390,000 acres of the Tribe’s homelands.

The Quechan Tribe said this land holds historical, cultural, along with ecological importance.

They are asking for it to be preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of not just present but future generations. 

A Quechan Indian Tribe Councilmember said there is an urgency to make this happen. 

“It’s been constantly under threat for hundreds of years and the more time that goes on you know. Once we lose a sacred site, we can never get it back," said Jonathan Koteen, Quechan Indian Tribe Councilmember.

Koteen added the lands have always held significance.

“The Tribe has been protecting this area for a very long time, it has always been under threat from, you know, different activities like illegal HV riding, illegal rock climbing," explained Koteen.

They are also hoping to prevent new harmful activities, like as you can see old mines in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains from a flight that took place Friday morning.

One tribal member said he enjoys hiking the lands and taking in the views. 

“To ensure that the people of the Yuma region, both residents and visitors would be able to marble at the spectacular landscape and to ensure that it is not degraded any further than it already has been," said Brian Golding Sr., Quechan Indian Tribe Economic Development Director.

They started the process to push for these lands to become a national monument since last year.

“We’re going to rely on the Antiquities Act and rely on the Biden administration to hopefully pass this through and designate it as a national monument," stated Koteen.

Their goal is for the proposed national monument to become official by the end of this year.