Native american studies
For this project we got to research a topic of our choice that related to Southwestern Native Americans. Topics ranged from historic context to modern day issues. I chose to write about the current issue involving the proposal to build a gondola down into the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The Navajo Nation is seriously considering selling the land to developers who want to build an escalade attraction to the convergence of the Little Colorado and the Colorado River. This would bring in an income to the poverty-stricken community while destroying a natural remote wonder. I also created an image that represents the development plans and shows the true beauty of the sacred spot.
Project Reflection
This topic was important to me because I love the Grand Canyon and go on an annual Thanksgiving backpacking trip there with my Dad. One year we did a 7 day trip, and actually went to the convergence of the Little Colorado and the Colorado River. It was so pretty and serene. Picturing this place with an elevated river walkway and a restaurant and a gondola is horrifying. It shatters the stillness and beauty of such a sacred place. It takes a three-day minimum backpacking trip through wilderness to reach this place, and making a gondola that gets people there in 10 minutes ruins the remoteness and pride of this accomplishment. After all my research I now understand why it would be a good idea to advance with this development. The Navajo nation is in such a state of poverty, and I now understand how this investment could really help them. They are desperate enough that this might be the option they decide is best.
Studying both sides of an issue can provide enlightenment because you see why things happened and what reasons each side has for their actions and beliefs. I went into this project very strongly biased against the construction of the Grand Canyon gondola, but after studying both perspectives I feel conflicted and unsure what I really want to happen. By studying this issue I realized that it's very complicated and morally conflicting and all sides should be considered. When history intersects with creative expression it makes the history come alive and feel more powerful, personal, and emotional. This helps people understand the human experience better. It helps people to make connections to the history and remember what the experiences these people had really felt like.