Yavapai-Apache Nation Youth River Trip: A Journey Through Grand Canyon

This story was originally featured in the Winter 2024/25 edition of Canyon Views magazine. To access the full story, click here.

Bringing a Cultural River Trip to Life

For years, staff from the Yavapai-Apache Nation Community Wellness and Youth Prevention Program (CWYP) have envisioned a Colorado River trip through Grand Canyon National Park. This dream became a reality when the Tribe received a grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to engage Native youth in land stewardship and cultural preservation. In the summer, the Yavapai-Apache Nation partnered with Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) and Grand Canyon National Park (NPS) to organize a 10-day rafting trip from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek. This marked the first time one of the 11 tribal communities who call the canyon home collaborated with GCC and the park to offer a dedicated cultural river trip for their youth. Both GCC and NPS provided funding, access to the Grand Canyon, and Indigenous-focused programming to support this historic journey.

Exploring Ancestral Lands Along the Colorado River

Over 10 days, 12 Yavapai and Apache youth, three CWYP staff, and six NPS employees from the Interdisciplinary Resource and Outdoor Conservation Programs division traveled through the canyon, experiencing its rich cultural and natural heritage.

Each morning began with a traditional offering and prayer, setting the tone for the day. Trip coordinators and park staff shared insights into tribal connections to the Grand Canyon. The group visited significant ancestral sites along the river, including:

• Vasey’s Paradise
• Nankoweap Granaries
• The Confluence of the Little Colorado River
• Unkar Delta
• Deer Creek

Beyond exploring these sacred locations, the youth learned about land management practices in Grand Canyon National Park, including how the park integrates Indigenous perspectives in conservation, cultural resource management, and fisheries programs.

A Sacred Moment at the Confluence of the Little Colorado River

A spiritual and educational moment of the journey was spending a full day at the confluence of the Little Colorado River—a place of immense cultural significance for the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, and other tribes.

NPS staff members Vincent Diaz (Hualapai) and Kelkiyana Yazzie (Navajo) shared the importance of prayer, songs, and silence at this sacred site, as it is considered an ancestral resting place. The youth took these teachings to heart, immersing themselves in the turquoise waters while surrounded by the towering red rock walls of the Grand Canyon.

However, their serene moment was disrupted when commercial rafting groups and private boaters arrived, shouting and yelling as they played in the river. Witnessing this, the Yavapai-Apache youth turned to park staff and asked, “Can we go tell them to be quiet?”—a powerful reflection of their desire to educate visitors on cultural respect in Grand Canyon.

A New Generation of Conservation Leaders

One month after their return, members of the Yavapai-Apache youth trip were invited as guest speakers on the Grand Canyon Speaks podcast, recorded at Desert View. They reflected on how the journey deepened their connection to their heritage and strengthened their sense of community and teamwork.

The experience also inspired new career aspirations, with many youth expressing interest in land stewardship, conservation, and National Park internships. One CWYP coordinator, who has worked with these youth for years, shared that he had never seen such a spiritually transformative experience impact a group so profoundly.

Honoring Culture Through Conservation

The Yavapai-Apache Youth River Trip was more than just a rafting expedition—it was a powerful journey of cultural reconnection, environmental education, and personal growth. As more tribes engage in similar initiatives, these experiences will continue to inspire future generations to protect, honor, and advocate for ancestral lands.