Tribes are often at the forefront of efforts to conserve important public lands, and tribal support of Chimney Rock and Rio Grande del Norte was integral to their protection. These lands have been appreciated and respected for centuries by many tribes. National monument status can honor the long and significant contributions of Native Americans to the United States and the Four Corners region.

However, there is more to do to protect public lands in New Mexico. Like the local community, we too believe that the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region of Dona Ana County also deserves to be designated as a national monument. This summer we traveled together to Washington, DC, to thank the Administration for listening to tribal concerns for our public lands and to stress to the White House and Congress that the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks need that same level of protection.

In addition to the natural beauty of what is southern New Mexico's mountains and valleys, many people rely on these lands for hunting, hiking, and recreation. But more importantly, this area holds tremendous cultural significance for Native Americans of not only our present generation, but of past generations, with all generations having the deepest respect for these lands. Past and current use of these lands by native peoples, including members of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and other Puebloan peoples, attest to Organ Mountains Desert Peaks region’s significance as a traditional cultural property.