Stepping on Prayers: An American Monument
After President Obama established the Bears Ears National Monument on December 28, 2016, a robust debate about the size and scope of the monument has captured the attention of the nation. With interest groups spending money to influence the debate from out of state there is a need for someone to represent the local residents. Stepping on Prayers is an effort to amplify those voices through storytelling and beautiful imagery.
For more information, visit: www.strata.org/steppingonprayers/
Local Voices:
"The Navajo people, and the Ute people have always known about Bears Ears. They said, 'Bears Ears is sacred to us.' We [the locals] understand that. We respect it. We recognize it. We believe it. And we're OK with it." — Bruce Adams, San Juan County Commissioner
"Any time you get a new monument or park, it draws the tourists. I'm happy to have the tourists because I own an RV park. But, on the other hand, I'm sad that we may lose our privileges to go freely through this country where we'd like to." — Jim Brandt, Monticello Resident
"The community feels like this was done to us, not with us." — Jami Bayles, President of Stewards of San Juan County
"Please don't put holes in my graveyard. Please don't climb over the trees that I utilize... We don't want somebody else coming in from a different area stepping on our prayers." — Anna Tom, Diné