Canyon Views is published by Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC). As the official philanthropic and collaborative partner of Grand Canyon National Park, GCC’s mission is to inspire generations of park champions to cherish and support the natural and cultural wonder of Grand Canyon.
For more information about Grand Canyon Conservancy, please visit grandcanyon.org.
2024 Board of Directors: Shantini Munthree, Board Chair; Randall Brown, Board Vice Chair; Lizabeth Ardisana; Ann Becker; Geoff Chatas; Jason Coochwytewa; Aaron Craft; Ann Figueredo; Nigel Finney; Deborah Gage; Charlie Galbraith; Scott Key; Sarah Willie-LeBreton; Carissa Rollins; Rich Rudow; Mick Rusing; Stephanie Sklar; Stan Sutherland
This past year, I have been in awe of the dedication and commitment of Grand Canyon Conservancy’s board and staff, and Superintendent Ed Keable’s bold vision. Together, we’ve taken meaningful steps to shape the future of Grand Canyon National Park through exciting new capital investments.
Currently, we are in the planning process to design and build an art venue space at Park Headquarters that will tell the stories of Grand Canyon through art and creativity. We continue to collaborate with our tribal partners to discover new ways to transform the Desert View Intertribal Cultural Heritage Site, the first of its kind in the National Park Service. We are exploring additional tribal programming options at the Tusayan Museum and are working on the long-awaited revision of a community planning process for how we use the Historic Village at the South Rim in the future as we continue to enhance our educational reach, interpretive sales, and quality interactive visitor experiences. In addition, the park is actively engaged in several projects aimed at advancing key priorities, including climate change adaptation, tribal affairs, and infrastructure support with a focus on historic preservation.
Grand Canyon Conservancy is only as strong as our members’ and donors’ drive to protect, educate, and
inspire. Your support is crucial, and in this issue of Canyon Views, we celebrate the far-reaching impact you make. Join us as we explore:
• The 10-Year Anniversary of the Cultural Demonstration Program, spotlighting the partnership between Grand Canyon National Park and the 11 tribes who call Grand Canyon home;
• Tribal Youth Engagement Initiatives featuring the efforts to empower Native youth to reconnect with their ancestral lands;
• The Impact of our Members from individuals to organizations who make it possible for the park to provide enriching and fulfilling visitor experiences and protect the landscape for the future.
Thank you for being an essential part of this incredible journey! Your contributions fuel our mission and make a tangible impact every day.
With gratitude,
Susie Huhn Interim CEO
Susie Huhn with board and staff members on North Kaibab Trail. Photo courtesy GCC/S. Matteson.
Photo courtesy NPS/W.Tyson Joye.
A Message from Ed
By Ed Keable, Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park
Photo courtesy
This edition of Canyon Views provides Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) members with a meaningful opportunity to see the impacts of your support to Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA).
The Artists and Astronomers in Residence programs are rich contributions to the park’s interpretive programming. GCC recruits artists and astronomers who have interesting insights about the Grand Canyon and who are dedicated to sharing their perspectives with visitors and residents. These programs provide diverse viewpoints that enhance customary park interpretive programming. Not surprisingly, they are highly popular.
Visitors and residents alike also enjoy the park’s tribal cultural programs. Earlier this year, GRCA celebrated 10 years of the Cultural Demonstration Program. Under the outstanding leadership of Program Manager Dan Pawlak, and with GCC’s support, the program not only thrived but grew significantly. It has evolved to a full-year offering on the South Rim and a three-month program on the North Rim. New initiatives include a recorded interview series for cultural demonstrators to connect them with visitors both in person and virtually, and a vibrant performing arts component, showcasing Indigenous music and dance.
We continue to expand our efforts to connect tribal youth with their ancestral homeland through meaningful initiatives. These include
tribal youth river trips and hikes into the canyon, internships in the park, and participation in the Cultural Demonstration Program. These programs are vital for fostering cultural connections and supporting tribal efforts to engage their youth with the canyon’s rich heritage.
GRCA leads the National Park Service in Indigenous affairs, conducting more work across more disciplines than any other park in the system. This success stems not only from the park’s dedicated resources but also from the invaluable support of GCC. The Ann and Vincent Figueredo Endowed Fund for Indigenous Programs at Grand Canyon will help sustain Indigenous educational programs, staffing, and Indigenousled initiatives at the park. The Figueredos’ generosity will sustain GRCA’s commitment to excellence in Indigenous affairs in perpetuity.
In addition, GCC has partnered with the family of Chenoa Nickerson to create the Chenoa Nickerson Memorial Fund, supporting the Grand Canyon Search and Rescue (SAR) program. Chenoa tragically passed away after having been swept into the Colorado River from Havasu Creek during a flood this summer. GRCA oversees one of the busiest and riskiest SAR programs in the National Park Service, responding to up to 400 rescues a year. This fund will help the park to sustain this vital operation with the purchase of equipment such as underwater-breathing apparatuses and pack rafts for swift-water rescue as well as funding training for
rappelling, swift-water rescue, SAR logistics, and supportive programs for first responders and their families.
As the Chenoa Nickerson Memorial Fund illustrates, GRCA can sometimes be a dangerous place. And yet, it is simultaneously inspiring and life-affirming. As many as five million people come to the park every year to find inspiration. Few people know better about this aspect of the Grand Canyon than Kevin Fedarko and his through-hike partner Pete McBride. Kevin shared their remarkable experience in the canyon in his marvelous book, A Walk in the Park—perhaps the best book about the canyon since his previous book, The Emerald Mile. His conversation in this edition of Canyon Views will inspire you.
Few individuals know the inner canyon better than GCC Board of Directors member Rich Rudow. Rich features prominently in A Walk in the Park for good reason. His profile in this issue will inspire you—and maybe even intimidate you just a bit!
Enjoy this edition of Canyon Views. It highlights the great work GRCA and GCC are doing together while it sheds light on the wonders of this special place. Be inspired and come back to visit us.
And, as always, thank you for your support!
Photo courtesy NPS/M. Quinn.
In November 2024, Grand Canyon Conservancy was thrilled to announce the establishment of the Ann and Vincent Figueredo Endowed Fund for Indigenous Programs at Grand Canyon National Park. This significant gift underscores the family’s commitment to amplifying the voices of the 11 tribal communities who call Grand Canyon home, and will support efforts building an equitable, thriving future for these communities.
Having lived and raised their children in the Southwest and with roots in Mexico City, the Figueredos have long held a deep respect for Indigenous cultures. “When visitors come to Grand Canyon, they are inevitably struck with awe by the landscape.
Many come for adventure, many come for reflection—all come away transformed,” Ann reflects. “When I visit the Grand Canyon, my foremost inspiration is its first people.”
The Figueredos also see this endowment as a way to encourage visitors to better understand the cultural significance of Grand Canyon, deepening their own connection to this sacred place. “Understanding the profound connection enhances all visitors’ relationship to the canyon,” Ann explains. “If we are to protect and sustain Grand Canyon for future generations, we must lift up the cultural and ecological practices of its first people, who have a long successful track record in stewarding this extraordinary place.”
The Figueredo family’s generosity comes at a crucial moment, as the National Park Service (NPS) under Superintendent Ed Keable has been keenly focused on Indigenous affairs, making it a central priority for the park.
The endowment will support Indigenous-led initiatives, educational programs, and staffing by members of the 11 associated tribes or National Park Service employees involved in Indigenous programming. By bolstering these programs, the Fund ensures that future generations of park visitors gain a richer perspective on the canyon’s cultural heritage and an appreciation of the ongoing contributions of tribal communities.
Vincent and Ann Figueredo. Photo courtesy Ann Figueredo.
The timing of this gift, announced during National Native American Heritage Month, also celebrates the leadership of the Intertribal Working Group and the many initiatives to amplify First Voices at Grand Canyon National Park. The Ann and Vincent Figueredo Endowed Fund for Indigenous Programs is a legacy that will continue to reverberate through the canyon for years to come.
If you would like to give to Indigenous programs or any other projects at Grand Canyon National Park, visit grandcanyon.org/donate
Welcoming 2025 Artists and Astronomers in Residence
The Grand Canyon Conservancy Artist and Astronomer in Residence Programs offer immersive and educational experiences to visitors throughout the year. Here’s a preview of who you might see during an upcoming trip to the canyon!
Photo courtesy Lauren Cisneros/GCC
Astronomer in Residence: Stephen Hummel (February 1 - March 14)
Stephen Hummel is the Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator for McDonald Observatory, part of the University of Texas at Austin. He will be offering the public programs, “Astronomy without a Telescope,” “Preserving Dark Skies,” and “Sprites, Elves, Ghosts, and More: The weird world of upper atmospheric lightning.”
Artist in Residence:
sTo Len (March 19 - May 1)
sTo Len is an interdisciplinary artist whose work has centered on place-based collaborations with diverse landscapes and co-creations with communities and municipal agencies. At the canyon, inspired by onsite historical research, community interviews, and park operations, sTo will develop a new iteration of his “Office of In Visibility,” an interactive and site-specific installation.
Artist in Residence:
Dani Kwan
(March 15 - June 30)
Dani Kwan is an interdisciplinary artist and educator whose work revolves around identity, ecology, and communication, focusing on classification systems. Dani teaches art and photography at CSU Channel Islands and Ventura Community College. During their residency, they will be working on an installation and participatory project that combines textiles with geologic systems and processes that explore the idea of softness, play, and new ways of understanding and connecting with the Earth.
Nayda Collazo-Llorens is an interdisciplinary artist who explores concepts of dislocation and mapping through various media, including drawing, video, installations, and site-specific works. Patricia Villalobos Echeverria has a hybrid practice of prints, photos, video, installations, and participatory projects that pivot around issues of migration, navigation, displacement, and transformation.
During their time in residency, Nayda and Patricia will be working on participatory map-making with guests.
Astronomer in Residence:
Aomawa Shields (November 1 - December 15)
Dr. Aomawa Shields is the Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She is an astronomer, astrobiologist, classically trained actor, and writer. At the canyon, she will work on her book, “An Overachievers Guide to Joy: Learning to Love a Slower, Softer Life.” She will also present public programs such as “We Are the Moon,” “Life on other Planets: Finding My Place in the Universe,” and “Resting in the Healing Dark.”
Astronomer in Residence:
Laura-May Abron (August 24 - October 23)
Laura-May Abron is a FrenchU.S. public astronomer, science communicator, and artist from Paris. During her residency, she will work on a series of monsoon and dark sky paintings, and offer public programs such as, “Moonrise Mysteries: The Grand Canyon Lunar Standstill,” “The Sun at Maximum,” and “Not Just Stars: Solar Systems!”
Celebrating 10 Years of the Cultural Demonstration Program at Grand Canyon National Park
By Dan Pawlak, Grand Canyon National Park Cultural Demonstration Program Manager
“What I saw today was a really gratifying sight. To see all the tribes, to see my people here, interacting with people from all over the world. I’m glad to have been an inspiration and a part of this. I want to thank the Park Service because without them accepting what we wanted, this would not have happened.”
-Octavius Seowtewa, Pueblo of Zuni, Intertribal Working Group member, at the Cultural Demonstration 10th Anniversary Celebration.
On July 6, 2024, Grand Canyon National Park hosted the Cultural Demonstration Program’s 10th
Anniversary Celebration at Desert View. Eighteen individuals, representing eight of the 11 traditionally associated tribes, demonstrated silversmithing, weaving, fetish-carving, painting, glass work, drum-making, music, and graphic art.
Many of the cultural demonstrators chosen for the day have been participants in the program since the earliest days of its inception. Navajo silversmith Henry Nez, Hopi basket weaver Jessica Lomatewama, and Navajo weaver Gerard Begay were all members of the original 2014 cohort who have returned through the years,
while other participants started soon after. Bringing them all together on a single day offered a chance to celebrate the growth and success of the program over the past decade, as well as the relationships and friendships built over that time.
Bennett Wakayuta, Hualapai drum-maker and Intertribal Working Group member, opened the day’s events with a prayer and heartfelt remarks about his involvement in the program. Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program Manager Dan Pawlak, Superintendent Ed Keable, and Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Chief Communications
Jessica Lomatewama weaves a Hopi basket. Photo courtesy GCC/L. Cisneros.
Officer Mindy Riesenberg all offered remarks highlighting the program’s many successes.
Throughout the day, hundreds of park visitors stopped at the demonstrators’ tables, which were set up in the Watchtower and at booths outside. Each stop offered a chance to view beautiful art, observe the skill and technique involved in creating it, learn how each piece holds cultural meaning and significance and make a personal connection with the artist. Dance performances adjacent to the demonstrations further enlivened the day.
These personal connections and shared experiences have been the hallmark of the demonstration program since its inception in 2014, allowing tribal members to share their skills and experiences directly with the visiting public. After starting small with a series of three demonstrations in the summer of 2014, the program rapidly built on its success, becoming a year-round program with demonstrations five days a week in the summer and three days a week the remainder of the year.
The demonstration program is a major component of the vision created by the Intertribal Working Group (ITWG) to transform Desert View into an Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site.
The ITWG vision for Desert View seeks to elevate tribal voices while welcoming tribal members back into Grand Canyon National Park—their traditional home and a place from which they were long excluded. The cultural demonstration program values the contributions of its participants and pays them a stipend for the services they provide while they are demonstrating. The program also helps offset travel expenses and offers a place to stay in the park. GCC provides the financial support that
makes these program components possible. Demonstrators have benefitted from the opportunity to sell their work. In addition, park staff invest in building relationships. Reflecting during the event, several participants mentioned that they appreciated the way they are treated in the demonstration program, and compared it favorably to other art shows that they participated in.
In recent years, the program has continued to grow and diversify, conducting outreach to recruit participants from smaller and more distant tribes and represent a broader range of cultural expressions, while also building relationships with organizations like the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project to engage Indigenous youth. Over 200 artists from the 11 traditionally associated tribes have participated in the program.
At the end of the long, hot July 6th celebration, three long-time members of the Intertribal Working
Group, Mae Franklin (Navajo), Octavius Seowtewa (Zuni), and Richard Graymountain (San Juan Southern Paiute), stayed into the evening for a special Grand Canyon Speaks podcast interview. The series is available to listen to on the NPS website. The interview offered them the opportunity to reflect on the day’s events and on the culmination of over a decade of effort to reshape Desert View to highlight tribal voices.
Richard Graymountain commented, “I’m very proud of this Intertribal Working Group. [Grand Canyon is] all our homes. We’re coming back home. We’re going to be home. We are still here. We’re not going to go anywhere. To this day, we’re here.” He also considered how the group has worked through challenges and built relationships with park employees: “We have our ups and downs. I consider Dan [Pawlak] as my oldest brother. I have family here. I consider the rangers my brothers and sisters now. They’re family.”
Reacting to the day’s events, he added, “We did an awesome job. Seeing is believing. I want this whole thing to continue. This is a whole different feel. Here, our visitors get a feel of the traditional knowledge, the talent, the inspiration that it holds, that our artisans from the different tribes are carrying and sharing with our visitors.”
Octavius Seowtewa celebrated ITWG’s work. “What I saw this afternoon is really a combination of all our work.This group is the start of a new era, start of a new way of how we can work together and put our people in the forefront of benefitting from the work that they do.”
And Mae Franklin concluded, with an eye to the future, “I feel so hopeful and so grateful that the park and their employees actually bought into the vision that we had, the vision that we planned. We need to dream up some more things. It’s really been an exciting trip and journey. I really am grateful.”
Dances performed by the Nuwu - Nagah dance group led by Shanandoah Anderson during the celebration. Photos courtesy Dan Pawlak.
The Cultural Demonstration Program 10th Anniversary Celebration was an important day, marking the success of a meaningful and important program. We all look forward to the continued growth of the program as well as the ongoing redevelopment of Desert View to support and elevate Indigenous voices.
Jonah Hill of Loomayooshi Designs.
Photo courtesy GCC/Charla Keyaanie.
We Are Here for Our Relatives: Tribal Youth Engagement at Grand Canyon National Park
By Kelkiyana Yazzie, Tribal Program Coordinator, Grand Canyon National Park
WhenSuperintendent Ed Keable arrived at Grand Canyon in April of 2020, he knew little about the Indigenous people of the region, but he quickly embraced the history and people of the area and made Indigenous affairs one of his top priorities. As work is underway to foster authentic and respectful relationships with the 11 Associated Tribes of the area, the foundation for partnerships to flourish requires a key piece: supporting and connecting Native youth to their ancestral lands. Tribal youth engagement includes initiatives and programs led by Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) and National Park Service (NPS) staff from various divisions including Interpretation and Resource Education (IRE) and the Tribal Program of the Office of Communications, Partnerships, and External Affairs (OCPE). Tribal youth involvement includes various initiatives, including school and academic programming,
backpacking and river trips, the cultural demonstration program, and stewardship projects. Three tribal youth programs took place this past year including the Yavapai-Apache youth river trip on the Colorado, the Arizona Trail Association Seeds of Stewardship program visit to Grand Canyon, and the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project backpacking trip to Phantom Ranch. These trips have been integral to connecting tribal youth to their homelands.
Yavapai-Apache Nation Youth River Trip
For years, staff from the YavapaiApache Nation Community Wellness and Youth Prevention Program (CWYP) have dreamed of doing a river trip down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. This dream came to fruition after the Tribe applied for and received a grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to engage Native youth in
public lands and land management. This past summer, the YavapaiApache Nation partnered with GCC and Grand Canyon National Park to coordinate and support a 10day river trip from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek. This was the first time one of the 11 Associated Tribes would partner with GCC and the park to provide a dedicated river trip for their youth. Both GCC and NPS staff were thrilled to support such an important trip through funding, access to the Grand Canyon, and NPS programming.
Over 10 days, the twelve Yavapai and Apache youth, three CWYP staff, and six NPS employees from the IRE and OCPE divisions traveled along the Colorado River experiencing the canyon’s living and cultural landscape. Each morning started with a traditional offering and prayer which was followed by trip coordinators and park staff sharing teachings and presentations relevant
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project in the Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy NPS/Kelkiyana Yazzie.
to tribal connections. Many important ancestral sites to tribes were visited throughout the trip such as Vasey’s Paradise, the Nankoweap Granaries, the confluence of the Little Colorado River, Unkar Delta, and Deer Creek. As part of the trip, the tribal youth learned about how Grand Canyon National Park manages the land and how it integrates Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into park management, such as cultural resources and the fisheries programs, daily operations, and the impact of recreation on the landscape.
A spiritually impactful moment on the river was spending a large part of the day at the confluence of the Little Colorado River, a culturally important place for many tribes including the Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo. NPS Staff, Vincent Diaz from Hualapai and Kelkiyana Yazzie from Navajo, shared the importance of prayer and songs, as well as how the confluence is considered an ancestral resting place for many tribes where a common courtesy of respect is to treat the space with quiet and silence. The youth carried this teaching with them throughout the day as they swam in the Little Colorado River where the turquoise waters swirled around them, and they were surrounded by the russet walls of the canyon on either side. They were soon joined in the pristine setting by commercial river trip passengers and private boaters who were shouting and yelling as they recreated in the Little Colorado River. This led to the Yavapai-Apache youth asking park staff and the trip coordinators, “can we go tell them to be quiet?” illustrating how they wanted to share a sign of respect—one that has been practiced by tribal members for generations—with non-native visitors to the confluence.
Approximately a month after their river journey, a few members of the youth trip participated as guest
speakers in a Grand Canyon Speaks podcast episode recorded at Desert View. Park staff who were also a part of the river trip experience focused interview questions on the youth experiences on the river and how it continued to impact them after returning home. The youth shared that throughout the trip, a growing effort of teamwork and sense of community was evident among them. The experience led to youth participants engaging more with their culture and an increased interest in land management opportunities, including applying for internships at Grand Canyon. One of the CWYP coordinators from the tribe mentioned that he has worked with this group of youth for years and had never seen
an experience become so spiritually impactful and transformative for everyone over the trip.
Seeds of Stewardship, Arizona Trail Association
In May 2024, the Arizona Trails Association’s Seeds of Stewardship (SOS) program visited the park with 4th and 5th grade Navajo and Hopi students from the STAR (Service to All Relations) School in Leupp, Arizona. The SOS Program provides youth in Northern Arizona with positive outdoor experiences and empowers them to become the next generation of stewards. Through this experience, the program partners with staff at the park to facilitate
A mule wrangler talks to the Seeds of Stewardship program participants in Navajo on the South Kaibab Trail. Photo courtesy AZ Trails Association.
a culturally relevant experience at Grand Canyon to support and strengthen students’ connection to their homelands through immersive outdoor education activities, traditional cultural teachings, and a stewardship project.
During their visit to the park, Vincent Diaz shared the importance of enhancing the teaching of cultural history including the significance of the canyon, plants, and animals to the Grand Canyon’s 11 Associated Tribes. He pointed out that it was the first week the park’s new tribal film, We Are Grand Canyon, was showing at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center auditorium. This was important for the Navajo and Hopi students to see given the lack of Indigenous representation in the park, especially in the South Rim Village area, which was a driving force for the film’s creation and purpose.
The group watched the We Are Grand Canyon film, becoming the first youth tribal members to view the movie. Afterwards, the students shared how the film impacted them by stirring up emotions about loss of land, revitalizing culture, and the beauty of song and dance. Many of the SOS participants stated that watching the film was the highlight of their trip to the Grand Canyon because they could see the tribal connections from tribal members themselves. They also mentioned meeting a Navajo mule wrangler on their South Kaibab Trail hike who talked with them in Navajo, another memorable moment which emphasized the message that representation matters.
Zuni Youth Enrichment
Project Backpacking Trip to Phantom Ranch
Grand Canyon National Park has strengthened its partnership this past year with the Zuni Youth Enrichment
Project (ZYEP). ZYEP’s mission is to promote resilience among Zuni youth by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces in their community so they will grow into strong and healthy adults connected with Zuni traditions. The partnership’s impact over the past year includes the organization’s increased involvement in the cultural demonstration program at Desert View and participating in ZYEP’s annual backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon.
ZYEP spent three days and two nights in Grand Canyon where they hiked the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails and camped at Phantom Ranch and Havasupai Gardens. At the start of the trip, most of the
Zuni youth participants shared that they had never been down into the Grand Canyon before, despite hearing about it in their culture’s stories and teachings. Throughout the hike, a cultural advisor with ZYEP shared Zuni knowledge on the canyon. He spoke in both English and Zuni due to the importance of native language preservation for the Zuni communities. The group was also joined by NPS staff Kelkiyana and Kate,who shared the cultural significance of the canyon and information about the resources such as the plants. The youth were eager to take everything in, including the various experiences of seeing wildlife, swimming in the river, and sleeping under the stars.
Zuni Youth cooling off at Phantom Ranch. Photo courtesy NPS/Kelkiyana Yazzie.
On the final night, the group camped at Havasupai Gardens where trip members reflected on their experiences in the canyon and what it meant to them as Zuni People to be in a space considered the birthplace of their people. One participant spoke on how her father always tells stories about the Grand Canyon and its significance to the Zuni People. She mentioned it is a lifelong dream of his to visit the canyon, but he is unable to due to his ailing health, so she said her being there in the canyon was for her dad. The Zuni cultural advisor for the trip emphasized the importance of their trek into the canyon and correlated it to the ceremonial pilgrimages Zuni elders still partake in today to visit Chimik’yana’kya deya (Ribbon Falls), the place of emergence for the Zuni people. He said each step in the canyon is done with purpose and intent, that they were all there for a reason to represent the ancestors and their people. This message resonated with the youth participants who finished the
hike out the next day strong where the group were rewarded with a short but welcome rainfall sent by the ancestors as a reward for immersing themselves into the canyon and making their presence known—a presence that has existed since time immemorial.
Another example of the partnership with ZYEP is their continued participation in the cultural demonstration program. Cultural ambassadors and artisans from the ZYEP program first participated in the cultural demonstration program at Desert View in 2023 where they shared traditional teachings and crafts surrounding embroidery, weaving, and pottery making. This past May, the cultural demonstration program and GCC welcomed more ZYEP ambassadors to share Zuni weaving, sewing, and painting with park staff and visitors. ZYEP is expected to return to the canyon for further participation as cultural demonstrators. These trips, projects,
and programs are a large part of the ongoing efforts of Grand Canyon National Park to connect with tribal youth and their communities. Other initiatives for tribal youth outreach by staff from across the park include creating and supporting internships by enhancing the Indigenous interpretive experience at Desert View, contributing to projects that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into science and park management, elevating outreach to tribal schools from surrounding communities including the school at Grand Canyon, and the growing number of youth cultural demonstrators at Desert View including tribal royalty. Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy are excited to continue enriching the experiences of park staff, residents, visitors, and tribal youth and their communities through cultural connectivity to the Grand Canyon.
Yavapai-Apache youth at Unkar Delta looking out at the Colorado River.
GCC Astronomer in Residence, Dr. David Koerner, led dark sky programming on the North Rim of Grand Canyon in October 2024. Photo courtesy GCC/Lauren Cisneros.
Supporting Grand Canyon Search and Rescue (SAR) in Memory of Chenoa Nickerson
By Andrea Osorio, Grand Canyon Conservancy
August
2024 saw heavy monsoon rains in Grand Canyon National Park and led to dangerous flash floods inside the canyon. Family members of Chenoa Nickerson, the Arizona woman who was tragically killed during one of the August flash floods, recently created a fund to honor her memory by supporting Grand Canyon National Park’s Search and Rescue Program.
On August 22, 2024, her 33rd birthday, Chenoa Nickerson was swept away while hiking in the Havasupai region of Grand Canyon. Rescuers searched for three days, all while providing consistent updates to Chenoa’s family. “We could tell they were giving it their all, they treated
these efforts with as much care and urgency as if it were a member of their own family,” says Kyra Farkas, one of Chenoa’s three siblings. Her sister, Tamara Morales, agrees, adding that “especially in Arizona, it’s so remote. You feel like [the SAR team] is doing the impossible in conducting this search.”
While the outcome was not what everyone hoped for, Chenoa’s family gained a newfound sense of gratitude for the Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts that brought Chenoa home to them. Now, it is their shared goal to pay it forward and raise awareness about a team of people that, in Tamara’s words, “you don’t often think about until you need them.”
The newly established Chenoa Nickerson Memorial Fund at GCC aims to ensure that Chenoa’s bright and giving spirit continues to shine, engaging others in the support of critical search and rescue efforts at Grand Canyon National Park for years to come.
What is Search and Rescue (SAR) at Grand Canyon?
Search and Rescue (SAR) operations are a vital service provided by the National Park Service (NPS) and play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of all visitors to Grand Canyon National Park.
Photos courtesy of the family of Chenoa Nickerson.
Every year, the park responds to approximately 310 search and rescue incidents, which can include a variety of situations such as wheeled litter carry-outs, technical rope rescues, ground searches, helicopter evacuations, swift water rescues, and emergency medical care in remote and austere environments. Each mission not only demonstrates NPS’s commitment to visitor safety but also highlights the extensive training and skill of its responders.
To be effective and safe, NPS SAR teams must undergo rigorous training in technical skills and be well-versed in the policies and protocols that govern these often complicated and dangerous operations. This training is essential to ensure the safety of both NPS responders and those they are rescuing. Additionally, NPS implements a Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) team aimed at educating visitors about hazards to reduce injuries and emergencies.
Supporting the SAR team through donations is essential for maintaining and enhancing their life-saving capabilities. Donations to the Chenoa Nickerson Memorial Fund support the following areas:
• Updated Equipment: Acquisition of the latest model rescue boats and boat motors.
• Search and Rescue Training: Training in high-angle technical rescue, aviation rescue, swift water rescue, search management, and incident management.
• Supportive Programs: Initiatives for first responders and family liaisons focused on resiliency and critical incident stress relief.
• Rescue Supplies: Essential gear, including pack rafts and swiftwater response equipment.
“Our sweet sister, Chenoa Nickerson, was our sunshine. Chenoa unapologetically traveled the world, sharing her joy and infectious smile with everyone she met, she truly did not know a stranger. As we continue to support SAR in memory of our beloved Chenoa—our sunshine who brought so much light into our lives—we are reminded of just how deeply she is missed by everyone. Your contributions are a testament to the impact she had on all of us. We are committed to honoring her memory and continuing the legacy of warmth and kindness she embodied. Our aim is to pay it forward by fostering a culture of gratitude and support. We believe that by helping others we can create a positive ripple effect, inspiring those around us to do the same.”
- Tamara Morales, Kyra Farkas, and Janosh Wolters (Chenoa’s siblings)
Support the Chenoa Nickerson Memorial Fund at GCC
A Conversation with A Walk in the Park Author, Kevin Fedarko
By Andrea Osorio, Grand Canyon Conservancy
During GCC’s virtual Book Club event in October, author Kevin Fedarko shared a photo of a group of hikers on Day 1 of a trip in Grand Canyon, all of them blissfully unaware of the unexpected journey that awaited them. Referred to by Fedarko as an “incredibly misguided venture,” the photo is a snapshot of the beginning moments of a story that would eventually become the book, A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon, published by GCC in May 2024.
Fedarko’s great friend and collaborator, the National Geographic photographer Pete McBride, reached out to him in 2015 with an exciting proposition—embarking on an end-to-end traverse of Grand Canyon spanning 750 miles. Kevin reflected on his noquestions-asked attitude and laughs, “I was unaware of just how far in over our heads we were.”
McBride and Fedarko had collaborated on a range of magazine assignments over the years which had taken them on adventures all over the world. For this journey, they would begin in the eastern part of Grand Canyon at Lees Ferry, making their way through difficult terrain to the western edge. The goal was to “complete an informal inventory of the secret treasures and wonders that are hidden from the eyes of most people who experience [Grand Canyon],” Fedarko explains.
Photos courtesy Kevin Fedarko.
To accomplish this, they enlisted one of the most prolific Grand Canyon explorers (and GCC board member) Rich Rudow as their guide (read more about Rudow’s connection to the canyon on page 24). Among the factors that made this trek so difficult were the canyon’s architects themselves, the Colorado River and its tributaries. “Every ½ mile to every 2 miles, you must make your way into that tributary and make a painstaking and exhausting detour, that after hours will deliver you back . . . having covered maybe 300 yards from your original location,” explained Fedarko.
Many attending the GCC Book Club event were curious about the process of writing a book as in depth as A Walk in the Park. As Fedarko recalls, “The process of taking written notes while navigating through the canyon was exhausting and at times dangerous, and so I realized I needed a new way of recording and documenting our hike.” He began to use a tape recorder to record notes while on trail, resulting in an “oral record of the day” which would underpin the book’s development. He would later comb
through the recording transcripts to separate the snippets of the profound from the mundane. “Your job as a writer is to find the flecks of gold in order to create the filigree of a narrative,” he says.
After a failed first attempt, Fedarko and McBride were able to complete their monumental goal over the course of several other expeditions thanks to the support of many collaborators in the Flagstaff community—themselves expert pack rafters, desert navigators, and explorers. These shared experiences dramatically impacted his perspective on what these landscapes have to offer:
“Prior to all of this I had thought of wilderness, particularly the wilderness of Grand Canyon, as something whose insights and rewards, lessons, and wonders were things best experienced alone. Solo. Or maybe in the company of one other person. What [this community of support] taught me is that the best experiences these lands have to offer is the experience of moving through them not alone, but in the company
of other people. People we care about, people that we love. It is not a solo enterprise, it is a communal enterprise. It enriches us.”
Fedarko also emphasized the fact that each of the people who made this adventure a success was motivated to support it in part because they wanted the story of Grand Canyon and the challenges it faces today to be told to a broader audience.
He believes that among this group of extraordinary people with expertise in many different areas, his complementary skill was storytelling. Through his book, Fedarko aims to write in a way that inspires people to care about Grand Canyon and our national parks, and helps audiences understand that these beautiful places not only belong to each of us, they make us better people.
You can come along for the unforgettable journey through your own copy of A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon, sold online at GrandCanyon.org/store.
Photo courtesy NPS/M. Quinn.
Board Spotlight: Rich Rudow
Outdoor enthusiasts know Rich Rudow as one of the most prolific Grand Canyon explorers in modern history. He has continuously hiked the entire length of the canyon and has spent more than 1,000 nights below the rim. He has served on the GCC board since 2023.
What is most rewarding about being a GCC board member?
As a board member, you get exposure to the challenges this landscape has that you don’t as a member of the public. Carrying out the ideal of this landscape being unimpaired in 100 years requires a lot of hard work, money, trials, and tribulations. Being on the board created a nexus for me between my love of the landscape and preserving it. It’s a direct way to understand the challenges and to influence and help mitigate future challenges. I understand more about what it takes to manage the park, how much help it needs, and the role GCC plays. I’m glad to have an impact.
What advice would you give people who want to explore the canyon?
The challenge today is that so many people see the canyon as some bucket list item. Think about it in the right framework. Start slowly and invest incrementally. Develop a relationship with the canyon and respect it. This place is way bigger than you and your desire to achieve something. Start small and work your way up.
What do you wish people knew about you?
I do things that are seemingly audacious and dangerous, but the reality is I’m really conservative and have no interest in doing anything without preparation and the skill required to do these things. Lots of people think my relationship with the canyon is about adventure, but it’s actually about the lesser-known places in the canyon where you have reflective light and phenomenal beauty. It doesn’t have to be a place I have to get to with a rope. I am more motivated by the beauty of the place than the adventure. Adventure is just a necessity to see some of these beautiful places. Smell the roses along the way! I’d rather do a Rim-to-Rim in four days instead of for speed.
If you were a layer of the Grand Canyon, which would you be and why?
Redwall Limestone. I love it! It has slot canyons, and the texture of the rock is amazing. It’s a happy place for me. The nature of limestone—water finding its way to the river, carving through layers of rock—means these are temporary places. You can only visit them in the right scenario, and you move through them. My relationship with them is fleeting.
Photo courtesy Dan Ransom Photography.
EVEN WORLD WONDERS NEED A HELPING HAND.
Help preserve Grand Canyon for generations to come through planned giving.
Leave a lasting legacy for Grand Canyon with any of these options:
• Put GCC in your will
• Name GCC as a beneficiary of an investment or insurance policy
• Give a QCD, IRA rollover, or distribution
• Donate appreciated stock
Many financial goals and tax savings can be achieved with planned giving, and the greatest satisfaction is knowing your investment will make a lasting impact on Grand Canyon National Park.
Visit www.grandcanyon.org/protect-grandcanyon/planned-giving for more information, including a free resource to help you create a will and details about GCC’s Bright Angel Circle Planned Giving Society or contact Lynn Donahue at ldonahue@grandcanyon.org.
Photo courtesy NPS/ Mike Quinn.
GCC Member Spotlight: Wildland Trekking
The Wildland Trekking Company was founded in 2005 by Brad Ball, Steve Cundy, and his brother Scott Cundy. It was inspired by a passion for wild and beautiful places and a vision to share and preserve those places. Starting at the Grand Canyon the company quickly grew to offer hiking tours throughout the USA, then internationally. Their mission is “to be a global leader in the adventure travel industry providing exceptional hiking adventures, in a responsibly sustainable way, which promotes the conservation of both natural and human communities.” They have donated over $400,000 thus far to conservation and peoplerelated nonprofits. In 2022, Intrepid Travel from Melbourne, Australia acquired Wildland Trekking. Their mission is to “create positive change through the joy of travel.”
“We are proud and grateful for our partnership with GCC. As the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, the Conservancy is in the best position to effect positive change. Our partnership is a wonderful opportunity for us to give back to the park and to help preserve this resource for generations to come.”
- Wildland Trekking Company
Educational materials and training provided by Wildland Trekking’s guides educate guests on the needs of the park and the many critical projects that GCC funds. Guests then have an opportunity to donate to GCC with all donations matched by The Intrepid Foundation.
In fall of 2024 Wildland Trekking/ The Intrepid Foundation co-led with GCC a Rim-to-Rim backpacking tour. Participants included professionals from the travel industry. Over $40,000 was raised for GCC. We plan for this to be an annual event.
Wildland Trekking loves to support projects at the canyon that impact visitors and hikers. They fundraised $4,000 for the 2014 picnic table replacement project at Havasupai Gardens Campground as well as almost another $4,000 (again, staff
donations and company match) in 2024 for the new Ribbon Falls bridge.
The company feels a great responsibility to act as stewards of the Grand Canyon. For almost 20 years the Grand Canyon has been the life blood of Wildland’s business. They’ve accommodated more people at the Grand Canyon than anywhere else: more than 19,000 guests on multi-day trips since 2012 alone, and more than 12,000 guests on day hikes. Those are 31,000 unique experiences created; 31,000 impressions of a place of astounding beauty. Wildland hopes many of these individuals will act to preserve the Grand Canyon as a result of those experiences.
Photo courtesy GCC/N.Ritzman.
WAYS TO GIVE
BECOME A CANYON CARETAKER
Your monthly gift provides reliable and consistent funding for park programs and protects this natural wonder for future generations. Become part of our Canyon Caretaker community by visiting donate.grandcanyon.org or contact us at philanthropy@grandcanyon.org.
Here are some of the benefits of becoming a Canyon Caretaker with monthly giving:
It's more sustainable. By participating in monthly giving, you reduce the amount of paper mailings being sent.
Your support never lapses. No more writing and mailing checks! Monthly gifts are made automatically and securely.
Your membership benefits will never run out. Monthly support guarantees your GCC Member benefits do not expire, allowing you to use them as much as you like!
YOUR MONTHLY GIFT WILL PROTECT AND ENHANCE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK FOR GENERATIONS TO COME!
YOUR END-OF-YEAR GIVING CHECKLIST:
It's nearing the end of 2024! Have you finished your giving to-do list? Your donation is tax-deductible and will ensure funding for critical park projects heading into 2025 and beyond!
• Renew my GCC membership
• Give the gift of membership to a loved one, friends, or family
• Give to the 2024 Year-End Match Challenge
• Donate stock to GCC and receive a charitable income tax deduction
For additional information on ways to give, please visit grandcanyon.org/protect-grand-canyon/ways-to-give, send us an email at philanthropy@grandcanyon.org or call (800) 858-2808.
SHARING GRATITUDE FOR GCC MEMBERS
This season at Grand Canyon Conservancy, we would like to say a special thank you to each of our members who made our work in 2024 possible. From celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Cultural Demonstration program, to restoring the roof on the 100-year-old Kolb Studio, your support was integral to priority projects at Grand Canyon National Park.
FROM ALL OF US AT GRAND CANYON CONSERVANCY, WE’RE WISHING YOU A WARM AND JOYFUL HOLIDAY SEASON.
Photo courtesy NPS/Erin Whittaker .
Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute
What makes GCC’s Field Institute different from other guided trips inside Grand Canyon National Park?
Whether it’s a day trip with the family, a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip, or a photography class on the South Rim, GCC Field Institute (GCCFI) experiences focus on world-class education. For the past three decades, GCCFI has helped participants explore the deep mysteries of Grand Canyon—from waterfalls and deserts thousands of feet below the rim, to the variety of animals and plants that live within the canyon’s walls.
What sets these experiences apart is the partnership between GCCFI and the National Park Service, who collaborate to design educational opportunities that complement the park’s interpretive efforts. Each class and tour is reviewed by an interdisciplinary team of NPS educators and resource managers to ensure that it meets the educational goals of the park.
Field Institute orientation day on the North Rim of Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy GCC/Noelle Ritzman.
Photo courtesy GCC/Noelle Ritzman.
Meet Your Instructors:
GCCFI classes are led by experts in their fields, with extensive knowledge of geology, canyon ecosystems, and Indigenous connections to the canyon. Here’s who you might meet on an upcoming Field Institute trip to the canyon!
John Begay
Melissa Giovanni, PhD
Melissa Giovanni has been exploring the southwest for over 20 years, considers herself a true desert lizard, and loves the heat! During a decade of teaching geology at two different universities, Melissa developed her field teaching skills in locales around Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Currently a professor at the College of Southern Nevada, she teaches both environmental science and geology.
John Begay is a dedicated Diné instructor with three years of experience at the Field Institute. John studied Geology and Climate Science at Northern Arizona University and has been guiding the canyon for six years. He is one of the few Indigenous locals who not only shares the rich history of Grand Canyon but also provides an authentic perspective on Indigenous heritage. Through his thoughtfully curated hikes, John invites clients to experience the canyon through a unique lens, emphasizing both geological wonders and Native American history.
Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff, PhD
Melanie Miles, BEd
Melanie Miles, originally from England, was a teenager when she first visited Grand Canyon and immediately fell in love with its landscape, geology, and natural and cultural history. From her home base of Prescott, AZ, she has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher and naturalist. Melanie leads groups throughout the world, teaching natural history, earth science, climbing, environmental education, and backcountry skills.
Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff was born in Arizona. Growing up in primeval desert, she became comfortable with things that crawl, sting, bite, and gnaw, which served her well when she started working with adolescents. While attending Northern Arizona University, she spent much of her free time exploring Grand Canyon. After graduation she led backpacking trips, taught cross-country skiing, drove a tour bus, and otherwise participated in outdoor education and recreation. Slim considers herself a lifelong learner, and employs her time researching canyon history, anthropology, geology, and natural history.
HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK: SHOP GCC’S HOLIDAY GUIDES
Your Purchase has a Purpose! Shopping GCC’s stores and online supports Grand Canyon National Park, and GCC Members receive 15% off.
Best Gifts for Nature-Loving Kids
The holiday season is here, and so are winter family adventures! If you have a nature-loving kid in your life, here’s a delightful gift guide that will spark their curiosity and ignite year-round passion for the great outdoors. Grand Canyon Conservancy has curated the following collection to provide the perfect blend of education and fun:
Outdoor Adventure Pak
Kick off outdoor exploration with the Outdoor Adventure Pak! This all-in-one kit is designed for curious young explorers. Packed with essential tools like a compass, binoculars, and a magnifying glass, it’s perfect for hikes, backyard expeditions, or even trips to Grand Canyon. The Outdoor Adventure Pak encourages kids to observe the world around them, turning every outing into an adventure. Get yours here!
Best Gifts for That Outdoorsy Friend
Do you have a nature-loving buddy who’s always ready for the next hike or camping trip? Maybe a sibling who keeps sending you subtle hints that they need gear for an upcoming backpacking adventure? Grand Canyon Conservancy has created the go-to gift guide for finding the perfect gift for the nature-lovers in your life. Let’s help them gear up for their next adventure!
Wondery Bottle
Stay hydrated in style with the Wondery Bottle! This sleek and durable water bottle is perfect for long hikes or day trips. Designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind, it features a cool design showcasing the beauty of America’s national parks. It’s a practical gift that reminds them of their favorite adventures every time they take a sip. Grab it here!
Best Gifts for the Book Lovers in Your Life
We all have those people in our lives who are always on the hunt for a good story. This holiday season, Grand Canyon Conservancy has curated a collection of books that inspire and educate readers on a variety of topics. From how Grand Canyon was formed, to exploring the relationships of humans to nature since time immemorial, these gifts will delight any reader!
In Old Sky by Lauren Camp
Delight the poetry lover in your life with In Old Sky. This beautiful collection of poems and vivid photographs captures the importance of Grand Canyon’s dark skies and explores the timeless relationship between humans and natural darkness. A must-read for camping under the stars. Learn more here.
