“The Lands Between” in southeastern Utah borders Bears Ears, Canyons of the Ancients, and Hovenweep National Monuments. This 350,000 acre area is home to tens of thousands of ancient ancestral Pueblo sites and is sacred to numerous indigenous groups. This landscape is considered one of the most archaeologically rich in the region and remains completely unprotected, leaving it vulnerable to oil and gas development. In June 2023, Bears Ears Partnership (BEP) is supporting a Tribally-led day-long gathering that will engage new Tribal leaders to learn more about “The Lands Between” landscape, the history of the campaign, and to discuss how they would like to move the protection campaign forward.
The gathering is being led by the Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Zuni, and All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG), with funding and support from BEP and National Parks Conservation Association. Invitees include representatives from all of the 19 Pueblo Tribes of the APCG as well as representatives from Hopi, Navajo, Ute Mountain Ute, and San Juan Paiute.
