![](https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/01/09/shaunchapoosetimpeterson.jpg)
But as tribal leaders heralded their achievement, they recognized the challenges they face going forward. Politicians in Utah, mainly Republicans, oppose the designation and GOP lawmakers in Washington, D.C., already introduced legislation that would make it harder for any president to set aside public lands for new monuments. "The president’s recent designation of Bears Ears National Monument goes well beyond the original intent of the Antiquities Act, which was intended to give presidents only limited authority to designate special landmarks, such as a unique natural arch or the site of old cliff dwellings," asserted Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), one of the 26 Republican co-sponsors of S.33, the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act. Over in the House, Republicans are trying to make it easier for public lands to be transferred to states and even to tribes. A set of rules adopted on the first day of the 115th Congress declare that such conveyances won't cost the federal government anything, regardless of the value of the property or any mineral resources located below the surface. "Not only is this fiscally irresponsible, but it is also a flagrant attack on places and resources valued and beloved by the American people," Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Arizona), the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a press release. At the same time, Republican president-elect Donald Trump has signaled a break with his party on the issue. He opposes the transfer of public lands and so does Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Montana), his nominee for Secretary of the Interior. But the incoming administration's views aren't likely to stop efforts to remove public lands from federal control. During the last session of Congress, at least three tribes in California alone and six more in Nevada benefited from such transfers. “The narrative has to shift. Please recognize that indigenous people carry a different body of knowledge," said Eric Descheenie, a member of the Navajo Nation and a former co-chair of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. "Let’s embrace that difference, support one another, and champion the new narrative,” said Descheenie, who a new member of the Arizona State House of Representatives.
Join the Conversation
Related Stories:Donald Trump's Interior pick slammed sale of federal lands as 'extreme' (12/19)
Mike Lee: Don't declare monument at sacred Bears Ears in Utah (12/13)
Sacred land protection efforts face questions with Donald Trump (11/18)
Navajo Nation opposes bill that reduces share of trust revenues (10/19)
Ute Tribe continues battle against 'modern day Indian land grab' (09/28)
Bill slammed as 'modern day Indian land grab' moves forward (09/22)
Emotions run strong as #NoDAPL seeps into debate on controversial public lands bill (09/14)
House committee considers controversial Utah public lands bill (09/12)
Editorial: Bears Ears in Utah deserves protection as new monument (08/01)
Richard Moe: Protecting sacred and ancestral land at Bears Ears (7/20)
Tribes gear up for fight over protections for sacred land in Utah (7/15)
Funding bill for Indian Country clears House for first time in years (7/14)
Editorial: Bears Ears in Utah is worthy of monument designation (06/20)
Opponents rely on dirty tricks as tribes aim to protect sacred land (06/06)
Editorial: Obama should declare a Bears Ears National Monument (04/25)
Rebecca Benally: Navajos in Utah oppose Bears Ears monument (04/13)
Non-Indian official decries effort to protect sacred lands in Utah (03/15)
Tribes oppose effort to stop Bears Ears National Monument in Utah (03/10)
Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk: Protect Bears Ears for new generations (03/04)
Obama weighs tribal request for Bears Ears National Monument (02/12)
Kevin Washburn: Republicans punish tribe with public lands initiative (02/08)
Tribes reiterate bid for national monument at Bears Ears in Utah (01/22)
Navajo Nation Council dispels misinformation about Bears Ears (10/29)
Tribes call for establishment of Bears Ears National Monument (10/16)
Jim Enote: Bears Ears worthy of status as national monument (10/14)
Tribes call for new national monument on sacred lands in Utah (08/05)