Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to create the Bahsahwahbee National Monument in Eastern Nevada. Bahsahwahbee was the site of three 19th century massacres of the Newe people that had gathered in the area for religious ceremonies — including one of the largest recorded massacres of Native Americans in U.S. history, resulting in the death of approximately 525 to 700 men, women, and children.
The bill officially protects this sacred area and the “Swamp Cedars,” an ecologically-unique grove of juniper trees where Tribes still gather to honor their culture and history. Cortez Masto’s bill prioritizes Tribal partnership in the management and interpretation of the new national monument, and she’s continuing to engage with local Tribes, governments, and stakeholders to ensure that the final management of the monument serves all the needs of local communities.
“This legislation is a critical step in pushing for the creation of the Bahsahwahbee National Monument,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “We have a responsibility to protect this landscape and honor the memory of those killed in the massacres in Eastern Nevada, and I’ll continue working with all local Tribes and communities to ensure we can best support and preserve this sacred place.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration has specifically asked for Tribal-led proposals to preserve culturally significant lands and our Tribes have done just that with our National Monument campaign. Thanks to Senator Cortez Masto’s introduction of legislation today, we are closer than ever, but time is running out for action. We call on the Biden-Harris Administration to follow through and establish this national monument for the benefit of Tribal Nations, Nevadans, and all Americans,” said Amos Murphy, Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Debbie O’Neil, Chairwoman of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, and Alvin Marques, Chairman of the Ely Shoshone Tribe.
Cortez Masto’s bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into partnerships with the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, the Ely Shoshone Tribe, and the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe in Nevada to facilitate management and public education related to the monument. The legislation establishes an Advisory Council of local tribal members, as well as other members of the public, to advise the Secretary in the management of the monument. This proposal preserves existing public access, grazing, water rights, and transportation and utility corridors — while recognizing special days and circumstances when public areas will be closed to allow Tribes to practice their traditional cultural activities. Bahsahwahbee can also be designated as a national monument via executive action, and Cortez Masto will keep pushing the Biden-Harris Administration to use their authority to protect the site.
A member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, as well as the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Cortez Masto is a strong voice for the Tribal Nations in Nevada. She celebrated the designation of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument after working with the Nevada congressional delegation to push for the designation. To help conserve and protect Tribal cultures, she passed a bipartisan bill to increase penalties for trafficking in sacred items, and she helped pass legislation to preserve Native languages.
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