Posted on Oct 21, 2023
Indigenous tribes saw the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse in a different light
260
20
3
8
8
0
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/20/ [login to see] /indigenous-tribes-saw-the-ring-of-fire-eclipse-in-a-different-light
Millions flocked to parts of the western United States to watch the "Ring of Fire" eclipse on October 14.
Tourists hoped to see the skies for a few minutes while the annular solar eclipse traveled from Oregon to Texas and then into Mexico.
For those few minutes, the moon lined up precisely between the sun and the Earth, blocking out all but the sun's edges and giving the moon a blazing border.
But while people watched the cosmic marvel, Indigenous tribal members living in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico didn't join them.
The eclipse had a special meaning for tribes in this region, and they wanted to keep the spectators from disturbing them.
Millions flocked to parts of the western United States to watch the "Ring of Fire" eclipse on October 14.
Tourists hoped to see the skies for a few minutes while the annular solar eclipse traveled from Oregon to Texas and then into Mexico.
For those few minutes, the moon lined up precisely between the sun and the Earth, blocking out all but the sun's edges and giving the moon a blazing border.
But while people watched the cosmic marvel, Indigenous tribal members living in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico didn't join them.
The eclipse had a special meaning for tribes in this region, and they wanted to keep the spectators from disturbing them.
Indigenous tribes saw the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse in a different light
Posted from npr.org
Native Americans
Culture
Astronomy
Space
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 3
5
5
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."When a solar eclipse traveled across the southwest region in 2017, schools on some Navajo reservations were closed. People were granted administrative leave by their bosses, and tribal leaders encouraged members to practice traditional cultural rituals in their homes.
But it's not just the Navajo who observed the solar eclipse in the Bears Ears Monument on Saturday.
"There are over ten tribes who call Bears Ears their ancestral homelands," Crank said. "Each tribe has their own different beliefs surrounding the eclipse."
Tourists visiting the Bears Ears region to view scenes like this are encouraged to respect the natural and cultural sites of the indigenous tribes in the region.
Christopher M. Quirin/Christopher M. Quirin
Even with some of the parks and natural monuments related to tribal lands being closed to the public in the southwestern U.S., tourists were still expected to visit the Bears Ears region to gaze at Saturday's eclipse.
Sarah Burak is the Educational Program Director for the Bears Ears Partnership. She is hopeful that visitors will remember to respect the indigenous tribes and their lands when visiting tribal regions to view natural events like the solar eclipse
"Make sure that you're viewing the eclipse from public lands. You're not parking in people's yards," said Burak. "That you're being respectful of their home and their right to experience the eclipse from their home."
Crank also encourages tourists to always practice what Bears Ears calls indigenous sensitivity.
"Be aware that there are tribes here who live here who make this our home, they want to protect and preserve it," said Crank.
Burak remained optimistic that the watchers would remember to practice Solar Eclipse courtesy on Saturday.
"We really hope that when visitors come, they do enjoy themselves and they are respectful to the landscape," said Burak. "But also to each other, because we're expecting it to be very crowded. So if we exercise some patience I think we can all have a very enjoyable experience."
..."When a solar eclipse traveled across the southwest region in 2017, schools on some Navajo reservations were closed. People were granted administrative leave by their bosses, and tribal leaders encouraged members to practice traditional cultural rituals in their homes.
But it's not just the Navajo who observed the solar eclipse in the Bears Ears Monument on Saturday.
"There are over ten tribes who call Bears Ears their ancestral homelands," Crank said. "Each tribe has their own different beliefs surrounding the eclipse."
Tourists visiting the Bears Ears region to view scenes like this are encouraged to respect the natural and cultural sites of the indigenous tribes in the region.
Christopher M. Quirin/Christopher M. Quirin
Even with some of the parks and natural monuments related to tribal lands being closed to the public in the southwestern U.S., tourists were still expected to visit the Bears Ears region to gaze at Saturday's eclipse.
Sarah Burak is the Educational Program Director for the Bears Ears Partnership. She is hopeful that visitors will remember to respect the indigenous tribes and their lands when visiting tribal regions to view natural events like the solar eclipse
"Make sure that you're viewing the eclipse from public lands. You're not parking in people's yards," said Burak. "That you're being respectful of their home and their right to experience the eclipse from their home."
Crank also encourages tourists to always practice what Bears Ears calls indigenous sensitivity.
"Be aware that there are tribes here who live here who make this our home, they want to protect and preserve it," said Crank.
Burak remained optimistic that the watchers would remember to practice Solar Eclipse courtesy on Saturday.
"We really hope that when visitors come, they do enjoy themselves and they are respectful to the landscape," said Burak. "But also to each other, because we're expecting it to be very crowded. So if we exercise some patience I think we can all have a very enjoyable experience."
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
(4)
(0)
2
2
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google