Press Release
Tribally led coalition calls for the creation of Maah Daah Hey National Monument in the North Dakota Badlands
Photograph by Jesse Kolar
Bismarck, ND—A tribally led coalition is calling on the President to designate over 139,000 acres of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands in the Badlands of the Little Missouri River basin as a new National Monument. The designation for the Maah Daah Hey National Monument would be achieved through a Presidential Proclamation under the Antiquities Act, protecting the natural and tribal cultural resources of this landscape for future generations. If designated, the new National Monument would safeguard eleven non-motorized backcountry areas in western North Dakota, offering a haven for quiet recreation, grazing, unique wildlife, ancient geology, and centuries-old Native American cultural practices. The monument would also allow for the indigenous history of the North Dakota Badlands to be incorporated into the larger cultural narrative surrounding the North Dakota Badlands.
The striking buttes of the North Dakota Badlands are a testament to millions of years of sediment buildup and erosion, creating an irreplaceable landscape filled with a deep and diverse history. For countless generations, Native American tribes have found sanctuary, resources, and inspiration in these lands. Historically, these Badlands served as critical hunting grounds for bison, eagle trapping sites, and places of spiritual practices for North Dakota tribal nations. The proposal aims to preserve these ancient traditions and the environment they depend upon, ensuring that this area remains protected and accessible for generations to come.
“Preserving this landscape is not only about safeguarding the unique ecology and scenic beauty of the Badlands,” said Michael Barthelemy, Director of Native American Studies at Nueta-Hidatsa-Sahnish College. “It’s also about recognizing and honoring the spiritual, cultural, and historical importance that these lands hold for Native American communities, particularly the Mandan and Hidatsa Nations who found themselves on this landscape centuries ago.”
The proposed monument would ensure continued protection of this land’s delicate ecosystems, while prohibiting new motorized travel to maintain its backcountry character. The designation is expected to support ongoing wildlife conservation efforts, protect critical habitats, and provide opportunities for visitors to experience the landscape in ways that are in harmony with its rich natural and cultural heritage.
Through the Antiquities Act, this new National Monument would stand as a lasting symbol of respect for indigenous heritage and a profound commitment to environmental conservation. By preserving the land’s natural beauty and cultural significance, the designation would also support economic growth through tourism, drawing visitors to a landscape rich with history, inspiring awe, reverence, and a deeper connection to the stories and traditions of its indigenous stewards.
“The North Dakota Badlands are an important landscape to indigenous people throughout the region,” said Representative Lisa Finley-DeVille. “I am trying to find ways to bring my people back to the land and educate our children about our ancestral ties to the land. Designating the Maah Daah Hey National Monument would ensure indigenous people can return with pride to our ancestral lands in western North Dakota. It would also allow for non-indigenous people to learn our history and our ties to the beautiful North Dakota Badlands.”