Bears Ears Monument Reduction Leads to Removal of Tribal Seals

On July 13, 2026 President Donald Trump issued a proclamation that cut the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase‑Escalante National Monuments in Utah, eliminating roughly three million acres from the two areas. Following the decree, the Bureau of Land Management disbanded the Bears Ears Inter‑Tribal Commission and began stripping the tribal seals of the Hopi, Navajo, Pueblo of Zuni, Ute Mountain Ute, and Ute Indian tribes from entrance signs that had marked the former monument perimeter.

Tribal leaders, including Navajo Nation representative Davina Smith‑Idjesa, described the seal removal as a tangible reminder of lost trust and partnership. Local residents and advocacy groups have staged protests and submitted letters urging elected officials to protect the monuments and maintain public access, warning that the reductions threaten cultural heritage and long‑term land stewardship.