Russell Begaye

The Navajo Nation was consulted. I, as President, was consulted. The Navajo Nation Council unanimously supports the original monument.

The Navajo Nation was never consulted on H.R. 4532.

I am here because our people care enormously about the Bears Ears National Monument and stand united with the tribes represented before you today.

We cannot support a further congressional reduction in the area of the monument, much less the drastic reduction proposed by H.R. 4532.

I encourage all to carefully read the Obama Proclamation, as it presents a thorough, accurate, and compelling justification for the establishment of the Monument.

In designating the Bears Ears National Monument, President Obama recognized this truth.

Chairman Bishop and Congressman Curtis as well as other supporters of H.R. 4532 continually make misleading and false claims.

The Ute Indian Tribe remains adamantly opposed to H.R. 4532 which would legislatively confirm President Trump's unlawful action.

Nothing about the Tribal Management Council would reflect the needs, interests, and expertise of the federally-recognized Indian tribes.

Such legislation prevents the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and other Indian nations to self-determine their own destinies.

H.R. 4518 truly honors tribes and tribal sovereignty, and ensures a meaningful role for us in managing the lands.

The Navajo Nation definitively states that we had no consultation on H.R. 4532, and we hereby reaffirm our opposition to H.R. 4532.