Seeds of Stewardship: Engaging Indigenous Youth at Grand Canyon
Discover how the Arizona Trail Association’s Seeds of Stewardship program connects Indigenous youth to the Grand Canyon through outdoor education, cultural teachings, and Indigenous representation.
This story was originally featured in the Winter 2024/25 edition of Canyon Views magazine. To access the full story, click here.
Empowering Future Stewards Through Outdoor Education
In May 2024, the Arizona Trail Association’s Seeds of Stewardship (SOS) program partnered with the Grand Canyon National Park to provide a transformative outdoor experience for 4th and 5th grade Navajo and Hopi students from the STAR (Service to All Relations) School in Leupp, Arizona.
The Seeds of Stewardship Program introduces Northern Arizona youth to environmental conservation, cultural heritage, and the importance of stewardship. Through this initiative, students participate in hands-on outdoor education, gaining a deeper connection to their ancestral lands. The program collaborates with park rangers and local tribal leaders to ensure a culturally enriching experience that strengthens the students’ sense of place and identity.
Centering Indigenous Perspectives at Grand Canyon
During their Grand Canyon visit, Vincent Diaz, a cultural educator, emphasized the importance of teaching Indigenous history, including the role of plants, animals, and the canyon itself in the lives of the Grand Canyon’s 11 Associated Tribes.
A significant part of their experience was watching the newly released tribal film, We Are Grand Canyon, at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center auditorium. This film highlights Indigenous representation in the park—an element often missing, particularly in South Rim Village.
A Powerful Moment of Connection and Representation
The STAR School students were the first youth tribal members to view We Are Grand Canyon, making the experience even more impactful. After watching the film, students expressed deep emotions regarding land loss, cultural revitalization, and the beauty of traditional song and dance.
Many students shared that watching the film was the highlight of their Grand Canyon trip, specifically for the way tribal communities were able to share their story in their own words. Another memorable moment for the students presented itself while hiking the South Kaibab Trail, where they met a Navajo mule wrangler who spoke with them in Navajo. Each of these experiences reinforced the importance of Indigenous representation at the canyon, whether in the Visitor Welcome Center or on the trails.
Original article written by Kelkiyana Yazzie, Tribal Program Coordinator, Grand Canyon National Park.