Over 400,000 hectares of public land in Grand Canyon National Park (US) have officially been turned into a national monument honouring the Native American tribes of the Southwest. It will protect thousands of cultural and sacred sites which are precious to these tribal nations. The park is a wonder of natural beauty with spring-fed waterfalls, majestic mountains and endless vistas. The establishment of this monument includes a permanent moratorium on new mining so that the entire area will remain pristine. Twelve Native American tribes joined together to make this happen including the Hopi, Navajo, Apache and Pueblo. “Being part of this announcement means everything to me,” stated Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. She is the first Native American cabinet secretary in the US, and is a member of the Pueblo tribe. “After the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park in 1919, the Native people were driven out from their lands – now we have returned.”