Native American Perspectives in the Interpretation of Grand Canyon National Park

Abstract

In 2019 Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) staff provided interpretive services, including walks, talks, and programs, to over 400,000 visitors. National Park Service (NPS) interpretation supports the park service mission to help visitors care about park resources so that they might come to value preserving the park’s resources. Interpretation helps participants uncover the meanings and significance associated with park resources. The purpose of this thesis was to explore how Grand Canyon National Park interpretation includes Native American perspectives in its programming. This research addressed how GCNP's traditionally associated tribes’ perspectives are being incorporated into interpretive programming. To do this a content analysis of current park policy was conducted as well as interviews with individuals with knowledge of GCNP interpretive programming to determine the position of GCNP interpretive programs in their consideration of Native Americans’ connections to the Grand Canyon. Gaps in existing practices that were identified included lack of first-person interpretation, need for tribal led design, and inadequate resources. These findings support GCNP Division of Interpretation in forming a more collaborative relationship with traditionally associated tribes to help better represent Native American voices in interpretation.