WILD DEOR FLIGHT
COMPILED BY JONATHAN LEVITSKE
https://wilddeor.cargo.site/
Wilderness stems from the words
wild
, meaning plants and
deor
animals not subject to the will of the civilized, and , meaning beast or animal. Defined by the U.S. Wilderness Act of 1964, wilderness has been referred to as the absence of human civilization. Wilderness is a myth of America’s origin, a sociocultural construct, which has aided in the deterritorialization of groups of people to exploit the land for resource extraction, hidden behind an alibi of progress. The architecture that emerged are vessels of conquest rending the land as an inert matter. Contextual sites that exploit the myth of wilderness are ubiquitous in history, but these conflicts are still occurring today. The Glen Canyon Dam and the Colorado River offer a paradigmatic context, as they have become a prominent symbol of vast environmental destruction, species extinction, and the erasure of Indigenous Peoples. The Dam is situated next to the largest U.S. reservation, the Navajo Nation, and was constructed without any environmental or cultural considerations for the long-term storage of water and the generation of hydroelectric power. This area was home to the Ancestral Puebloans and over 47% of the Native American sites along the canyons have been damaged or inundated. We have storied away the habitation of land through junk science and architecture as vessels of conquest to justify the extraction of resources. When the land can no longer be exploited by people, machines, and infrastructure for resources; we disassociate ourselves with it and its byproducts become an anti-property. In the context of immense ecological and sociopolitical violence a floating scenography offers a staging ground to share hidden narratives erased by the dam. Architecture does not change past or present harms but provides a place to sensitize people to the violence exerted. 3
4
5
MYTH + CREATION The images that preceded were developed working through the lens of secondary resources in the fields of Anthropology, Sociology, Forensic Archaeology, and archival historical research. Images depicting the moment of European settlers arriving in North America; bringing ambitions of finding wealth, escaping religious persecution and conquest. Settlers claiming large quantities of land as virgin wilderness, using their military power when necessary, and confiscating Indigenous homeland. The quest for land had become rationalized in the media as a declaration supposedly from God called Manifest Destiny to achieve the U.S.’s greatest potential. As a result, the importance grew in the U.S. of developing and building the infrastructure to facilitate and support westward expansion across the North American continent rendering nature as an inert matter. In the mid-19th century, a joyful appreciation of wilderness emerged expressed in the doctrine of the sublime. Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the first dedicated public National Park. However, this had the consequence of effectively erasing all the history of previous Indigenous occupations in the territory.
wilderness is loaded with some of the core values of cultures that created and idealized it. These moments reflect America’s identity. And
Furthermore, the illusion of wilderness had become “sacred” initiating a series of policies and legislation; even ones defined by many countries who consider themselves to no longer have wilderness, a post-wilderness.
6
7
8
9
GLEN CANYON DAM
CONTEXT
GLEN CANYON + COLORADO RIVER
vaquita
desert bighorn sheep
bobcat
Ancestral Puebloans lived within masonry peublos in the canyon. Pictured here is the Defiance House located three miles up from the Forgotten Canyon.
NAVAJO NATION RESERVATION
1984
2020
14
RIVER RELATIONSHIPS The maps highlight the rapidly decreasing amounts of water within this area created by the dam. This area was home to the Ancestral Puebloans, the Northeastern Pai and the Paiute Indians. Today the river resides next to the Navajo Nation reservation.
To date twelve thousand Navajos have been removed from their lands–the largest removal of Indians in the United States since the 1880s.
15
CONSTRUCTION + IMPLEMENTATION In 1947, land acquired for the location of the Glen Canyon dam was made through an exchange with the Navajo Peoples, in which the tribe ceded Manson Mesa south of the dam site for a similar sized chunk near Aneth, Utah, which the Navajo had long coveted.
It was determined that over 47% of the Native American sites along the canyons would be damaged or submerged by the creation of the Glen Canyon dam. The Dam was constructed without any environmental considerations for the purpose of long-term regulation of the storage of water providing for the reclamation of arid lands, control of floods, and the generation of hydroelectric power. It generates five billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power a year and distributes its power to 5.8 million people. However, according to an interview I conducted with social scientist Helen Fairley in 12 months or less, the dam will not be able to generate hydroelectric power due to the decreasing amount of water.
18
19
TOURISM + RECREATION Furthermore, continuing issues of species extinction, noise pollution, the evaporation of the Lake Powell by climate change, and submerged civilizations are ever-present. Glen Canyon has become a symbol of vast environmental destruction and yet the reservoir that fills the Canyon, Lake Powell is now the heavily most visited of all areas in the Interior West more than the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. Tourism and recreation have
“The impounding of the water to form Lake Powell not only drowned several gods but denied Navajo’s access to a scared prayer spot.” had a major impact on the Navajo Peoples stating that,
“And although, this area has been declared to not have wilderness, the area is managed by the National Park Service as wilderness to protect its wilderness character.” Further, there is a proposed plan to demolish the dam in a few years.
26
27
COMMUNITY PARTNERS PAGE, ARIZONA
GLEN CANYON CONSERVANCY PAGE COMMUNITY CENTER PAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
NAVAJO VILLAGE HERITAGE CENTER
“To enhance the quality of life by nutrition, education, fellowship and leisu
PAGE COMMUNITY CENTER
NUTRITION, EDUCATION, FELLOWSHIP
ure.” The Page Community Center partners with Meals of Wheels to provide meals to members
“Host a variety of activities including guest speakers, exercise, and educational opportunities to meet the interests of the participants.” five times a week. They also,
Additionally, they host the yearly Page Art Festival featuring local artists.
Location Board Members
Page, Arizona 5
33
“To create learning opportunities, enhance visitor experience, and inspire
GLEN CANYON CONSERVANCY STEWARDSHIP
stewardship.” The Glen Canyon Conservancy partners with philanthropic community partners within the region to support educational programming, the preservation of the canyon, and research programs.
“Founded in 1986 as Glen Canyon Natural History Association, GCC offers educational programming, products, and services to help visitors find a lasting connection with their public lands.” Location Origin Board Members
Page, Arizona 1986 9
35
“To create learning opportunities, enhance visitor experience, and inspire
PAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY EDUCATION
stewardship.”
“Dedicated to the assembly, preservation, and organization of resources in a learning and recreational center serving all residents and visitors.” The Page Public Library is,
Additionally the library hosts book clubs, story times, and other activities.
Location Board Members
Page, Arizona 20+
37
“Healing through culture”
NAVAJO VILLAGE HERITAGE CENTER CULTURAL PROGRAMMING
The Navajo Village Heritage Center is home to the Red Heritage Indigenous Entertainment Hall (Native American Performing Arts Theater). The center is Navajo owned and operated which highlights cultural programming such as: dancing, music, and instruments. Telling the stories of their culture is done through performance and cultural ceremonies such as: dancing, weaving, and sandpainting. They also partner with local youth facilities for basketball events.
“The center believes in healing through culture.”
Location Members
Page, Arizona 700+
39
BIBLIOGRAPHY