Avi Kwa Ame: 3 Years Later, The Responsibility Remains
By Gabriela Colón - Muñoz, Nevadan.
Three years ago, on March 21, 2023, President Joe Biden designated Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada. This designation was made under the Antiquities Act of 1906.
The movement for this designation was led by the Fort Mojave and other Native American tribes in the surrounding area. Local communities also strongly supported the designation. As a local Nevadan, I have seen firsthand the overwhelming support from the outdoor community centered on Avi Kwa Ame National Monument.
Avi Kwa Ame, also known as Spirit Mountain, is considered “among the most sacred places on Earth” by the Mojave, Chemehuevi, and Southern Paiute people. The Avi Kwa Ame National Monument designation protects this sacred space for spiritual uses while also welcoming others for recreational uses. Spirit Mountain has significant cultural importance because it is central to the creation stories of many Tribal Nations.
Aside from its spiritual significance, Avi Kwa Ame is also home to many species of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, Gila monsters, and Joshua tree forests, which provide habitat for these animals. The National Monument designation protects the 507,000-acre area and is co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Park Service. Aside from its spiritual and cultural uses, today, this landscape attracts over 104,000 visitors, according to a report release early this year. Access allows hunting, camping, hiking, OHV use, photography, and other recreational activities.
Avi Kwa Ame is considered among the most sacred and offers a beautiful landscape for recreation and enjoying the outdoors. This designation has already benefited locals. Travel and tourism are important to Nevada , contributing over $8.1 billion to Nevada’s economy in 2023. Clark County, Nevada, which borders the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, has seen robust economic growth since 2001. With the designation of the monument, this positive trend is expected to continue. Seeing this growth firsthand has only inspired me to continue connecting to the land.
As we mark the third-year anniversary of its designation, it is important to honor and celebrate this victory and acknowledge that it would not be possible without the efforts of the Fort Mojave and other Native American tribes in achieving this designation. As a local Nevadan, I see the outdoor spaces as beautiful and must honor them with respect, acknowledge those who came before us, and continue stewarding them to care for and protect these sacred spaces.
This designation is a symbol of community; we must honor those who came before us while recreating responsibly and continuing to support the protection of this land. It is our responsibility to honor the efforts of the local Native Tribes in reaching this designation.
I invite other Nevadans and those traveling to explore the local land responsibly, to continue safeguarding Avi Kwa Ame, and to share the story of Spirit Mountain, the efforts of those before us, and, most importantly, to pass this down to future generations.
Learn more information: https://www.friendsofavikwaame.org/