NEWS RELEASE: Chairman Yatch Bamford Joins California Lawmakers and other Tribal Leaders at Press Event Calling for Immediate Action to Protect Sacred Lands

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug 28, 2024) –  Today, the Pit River Tribal Chairman Yatch Bamford stood in solidarity with other Tribal leaders and California lawmakers to advocate for the protection of sacred lands through the designation of proposed national monuments, including Sáttítla, Kw'tsán, and Chuckwalla.

Chairman Bamford highlighted the importance of protecting Sáttítla, Pit River spiritual epicenter and home to one of California’s most important headwaters, as essential to preserving millions of gallons of clean water from the impacts of industrialization and climate related impacts. He also praised the leadership of the California State Legislature for their overwhelming bipartisan support of Senate Joint Resolution 17, underscoring California’s role in protecting unique cultural landscapes of ecological significance.

The following statement is from Chairman Bamford: 

"These lands are more than just our history; they are the heart of our identity and the future of our people. By designating Sáttítla as a national monument, we can safeguard this sacred place, ensuring that it remains intact for future generations who will continue to treasure it as we do today.

SJR16 and 17, and this gathering of California’s elected leaders, demonstrates the overall support and the collective strength and determination of Tribal Nations and our allies to protect sacred landscape from industrial development. Together we are calling on national leaders to honor these deep connections and preserve these treasured landscapes for generations to come.

We stand united in our call for President Biden to act swiftly and engage the Antiquities Act to protect these lands in perpetuity.” 

Watch the full press event at here.

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