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Utah Tribal Leaders association votes 6-1 in favor of Bears Ears National Monument

Posted at 7:12 PM, Jun 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-11 21:12:56-04

CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Utah Tribal Leaders association is showing its support for creating a Bears Ears National Monument.

Official representatives for seven of Utah’s eight tribes passed a formal resolution in favor of the monument in a 6-1 vote at their quarterly meeting on Thursday in Cedar City.

The Ute Tribe of the Uinta Ouray Reservation was not present, but supports the issue as a member of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, according to a press release from the coalition.

The resolution states in part: “The Utah Tribal Leaders association extends its support for the Bears Ears National Monument by President Obama that reflects the will and values of Native peoples whose identities, histories, cultures, and futures are inextricably tied to these lands.”

May Preston, President of the San Juan Southern Paiute, was the lone nay vote.

Most Utah lawmakers are opposed to designating the 1.9 million acres of southern Utah land for a national monument.

The White House hasn’t said whether the Obama administration will move forward with the proposal. Click here for FOX 13 News’ ongoing coverage of the debate over a Bears Ears Monument.