Native American and NPS

[guest]

I was wondering what the policy is regarding Native Americans jumping cliffs protected by the NPS. Technically, isnt it our land they are protecting?

Could be interesting...

~Jump from Cliffs-Alot. :)

[Keith]

Your question is confusing. Are you asking if a Native American BASE jumper gets some slack cut for him/her jumping in say Yosemite? Or are you asking about a indian reservation jump that is managed by the NPS like Canyon de Chelle? Is there a Native American that BASE jumps? I haven't heard of any. Have fun out there.

[guest]

Well, meet the one base jumping injun in the US. :)

I was wondering if I can legally be arrested for base jumping from protected land, say Yosemite or even better, from an indian reservation since its "my" land according to the treaties? Just thought it might be an interesting way for me to get around the system.

[Keith]

You might be able to get some slack to you if your caught jumping at Canyon de Chelle, even better if your are a Navajo nation native. But in Yosemite I'm afraid it's a little different. That's NPS territory there and they do prosecute everyone to the fullest, except of course child molesting prosecuters, that's a different story altogeather. To tell you as delicately as I can, if you ever get weathered in Yosemite take the tour that they do of the Valley. They tell the story of how the first group of white men to see the beautiful valley was U.S. Army cavilry in the late 1800's that was chasing a group of raiding indians and they chased them into the valley then proceeded to kill all of the indians in the valley. If I'm not mistaken the whole tribe was killed.

[guest]

You are mistaken.

[guest]

The tour given by the concession at Yosemite is full of inaccuracies, such as the one you are citing.

As for Canyon de Chelly, the NPS has jurisdiction in 36 CFR matters when involving non-Navajo (Hawaiians are also Native Americans but cannot enter Canyon de Chelly without a Navajo guide). The Navajo Police Department has jurisdiction over members of the Navajo tribe. You'll have to check with them on whether or not they prosecute base jumpers. Of course if you land inside any of the canyons you are violating Navajo law, if you are non-Navajo, and could be arrested. Only Navajo are allowed inside the canyons without a Navajo or NPS guide. They are trying to protect their heritage from scavengers.