Fourth annual march aims to raise awareness about Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon and need for permanent protection
GOLD BUTTE, Nev. – On April 23, in celebration of Earth Day, Southern Paiute activists from Moapa and Las Vegas will host a culture walk into Gold Butte. There will be members of several other Native American tribes and supporters of the ongoing efforts to protect Gold Butte joining the 11-mile walk. The purpose of the walk is to spread awareness about the need to establish a National Monument for Gold Butte, which was a part of the original boundaries of the Moapa River Reservation and still a sacred area to the Southern Paiute people.
WHERE: Attendees are meeting at the junction of Gold Butte Road and State Route 170 (Riverside Road in Nevada, 17 miles south of Mesquite.) The walk will end at Whitney Pockets, where Indian Tacos will be provided to all attendees.
WHEN: Saturday, April 23, 2016
5:30 am: Attendees meet at junction
5:50 am: Sunrise prayer and beginning of walk
Approximately 1:00 pm (ongoing): As participants finish the walk they will begin to eat and enjoy music from traditional Paiute singers. Once the final walker has finished there will be short speeches by event organizers and tribal leaders.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN PAIUTE ANNUAL WALKS: Southern Paiute activists started annual walks around Earth Day in 2012 to shut down the Reid Gardner Coal plant - a successful effort. In 2012 the Southern Paiute people walked from the Moapa Band of Paiute’s Reservation to Las Vegas a 50 mile, three-day journey. They are continuing the effort to highlight another issue of critical importance to Native people.