The physical and spiritual presence of our ancestors is evident throughout the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument area and beyond. Our sacred sites, ancient trail systems, artifacts, petroglyphs, and geoglyphs are the beating heart of our heritage. They are ingrained in our rich history, songs, religious ceremonies, and continue to define us as the original stewards of the land.

The historical values throughout the monument area illuminate our vibrant history and still have a presence in our homelands, such as: Snake Intaglios, Arrowweed Springs, Buzzards Peak, Singer Geoglyphs, Avì Malykitt (Picacho Peak Wilderness Area and Peaks), Indian Pass (ACEC), Sidewinder Geoglyphs, Laguna Dam Petroglyphs and Potholes site, and Avikwalal (Pilot Knob ACEC).

Our intricate trail systems — which include Medicine Trail, the Xam Kwatsan Trail of Dreams, and the Ogilby Hills Trail — are lifelines to our cultural roots and connect our people with neighboring Tribes and relatives on the Upper and Lower Haquita (Colorado River). We used them for trading, farming, hunting, gathering and spiritual purposes; they protect our cremation sites and the remnants of our ceremonial fire hearths, sleeping circles, and vision quest circles which are central to our rights-of-passage ceremonies. They have been harmed by transmission lines, telecommunication towers, canals, gold mining, riprap processing, and large-scale energy projects.

As the guardians of our homelands, the Quechan People have preserved our heritage for generations, which we continue to weave into our rich cultural tapestry. Our ancestors are alive and present, and like woven threads they are in our sacred sites, age-old traditions, oral history, the melodies of our traditional bird songs and dance, and the strength of our culture.

The proposed Kw'tsán National Monument will help us preserve the footsteps of our ancestors forever.