"On June 20, more than 500 people gathered for a touching tribute to Stewart L. Udall, who passed away March 20, 2010. At the “Celebration of Life” memorial service held on the Santa Fe Indian School campus in New Mexico, Stewart’s children spent the first Father’s Day since his passing remembering their dad.

Several other Udalls paid their respects and were joined by tribal leaders from across New Mexico and Arizona, along with Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Gov. Bill Richardson, former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, and others. Jemez Pueblo Gov. Joshua Madalena, accompanied by his daughter, gave a beautiful opening prayer.

Many who gathered were visibly emotional and the portrait the speakers painted of Stewart reflected a man devoted to public service. They commended his legacy for protection of the earth, demonstrated in the remarkable accomplishments made throughout his life. Several people talked about Stewart’s service in the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona’s Second District and his tenure as secretary of the Interior under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. While Babbitt noted that he will likely go down in history as the greatest American conservationist since Teddy Roosevelt, it was also clear that Stewart was a friend to Native people.

At the celebration, tribal leaders praised him for his protection of Mother Earth. Stewart’s hard work while at the Interior Department led to landmark statutes on air, water and land conservation. He presided over a vibrant era of conservation in the United States and his work has had a profound impact on Indian nations. The laws he advocated for have been used by tribal leaders for several decades to protect tribal lands and the environment surrounding their lands. One speaker noted that right up until the end of his life, Stewart was encouraging people to spread the word that we must protect the earth."

Get the Story:
Elizabeth Rodke Washburn: Udall legacy to Indian country (Indian Country Today 6/28)