“We won, they lost.”
That’s the perspective of Mountain Capital Partners on their supposed right to desecrate the sacred Peaks outside of Flagstaff, Arizona despite generations of resistance from Indigenous Nations and tribes with cultural ties to the Peaks since time immemorial.

Join us for Episodes 8 and 9 of our Snowbowl series as we speak with former Coconino Forest Supervisor, Laura Jo West. Hear what it was like to work with Snowbowl and its parent company, Mountain Capital Partners; why Laura Jo’s approach to forest management posed a threat to the company; how she was ultimately removed from all decisions related to Snowbowl; and her thoughts on how the agency must evolve.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us @protectgrandcanyon to stay connected. Every episode shared is a step toward protecting sacred places for future generations.

Have questions or want to get involved locally?
📧 Reach out: mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org

“We won, they lost.”
That’s the perspective of Mountain Capital Partners on their supposed right to desecrate the sacred Peaks outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, despite generations of resistance from Indigenous Nations and tribes with cultural ties to the Peaks since time immemorial.

Join us for Episodes 8 and 9 of our Snowbowl series as we speak with former Coconino Forest Supervisor, Laura Jo West. Hear what it was like to work with Snowbowl and its parent company, Mountain Capital Partners; why Laura Jo’s approach to forest management posed a threat to the company; how she was ultimately removed from all decisions related to Snowbowl; and her thoughts on how the agency must evolve.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us @protectgrandcanyon to stay connected. Every episode shared is a step toward protecting sacred places for future generations.

Have questions or want to get involved locally?
📧 Reach out: mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org

Thinking about skiing at Snowbowl? Might want to think again. Listen to this series to learn more about why you may want to think twice before spending time there…

This episode is part of a series focused on sharing more about the CRISIS that is Snowbowl Ski Resort (outside of Flagstaff, Arizona) and the agencies that are supposed to hold them accountable.

EPISODE 7:

How is what's happening on the moon related to what's happening on the peaks?

Check out our newest episode of “Land Defenders” with Janeen Phillips. Janeen is a young community organizer, among many other things, and we chat about Snowbowls' bigger picture in colonization, the disconnect between Traditional ecological knowledge and western science, and the relationship between what's going on on the peaks… and what's going on in the stars.

To learn more and stay connected, follow us on social media @Protectgrandcanyon and wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, consider sharing these episodes with others. Every episode and story shared is another step toward protecting these sacred places for generations to come. For questions or to get involved locally, don’t hesitate to email me at Mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org.

Produced by: Mattea Goetz

In Partnership with Beyond the Pines: A FLG Wellness Collective. You can find them @beyondFLG or www.beyondFLG.com

And a most special thank you to our guest, Janeen Phillips

Photo: Dawn Dyer

Thinking about skiing at Snowbowl? Might want to think again. Listen to this series to learn more about why you may want to think twice before spending time there…

This episode is part of a series focused on sharing more about the CRISIS that is Snowbowl Ski Resort (outside of Flagstaff, Arizona) and the agencies that are supposed to hold them accountable.

EPISODE 6:

In this episode, we have a conversation with Cora Maxx-Phillips. Cora has been involved in the defense of the peaks for her whole life. Through this time, she has come to recognize that one of the foundations of the issue surrounding the peaks is the lack of understanding regarding what sacred means. Through this episode, we explore what it means to be sacred from her cultural lens, are reminded of the interconnected nature of the world, and are offered powerful examples to reflect on the differences between Western culture and Indigenous ways of being.

To learn more and stay connected follow us on social media @Protectgrandcanyon and wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, consider sharing these episodes with others. Every episode and story shared is another step toward protecting these sacred places for generations to come. For questions, or to get involved locally, don’t hesitate to email me at Mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org.

Produced by: Mattea Goetz
In Partnership with Beyond the Pines: A FLG Wellness Collective. You can find them @beyondFLG or www.beyondFLG.com
And a most special thank you to our guest, Cora Maxx-Phillips
Photo: Dawn Dyer

Thinking about skiing at Snowbowl? Might want to think again. Listen to this series to learn more about why you may want to think twice before spending time there…

This episode is part of a series focused on sharing more about the CRISIS that is Snowbowl Ski Resort (outside of Flagstaff, Arizona) and the agencies that are supposed to hold them accountable.

EPISODES 4 AND 5:

In these episodes, we have a conversation with Dr. Chris Jocks (Kanien’kehá:ka), chair of the Applied Indigenous Studies dept. at NAU. Chris has been involved in the defense of the peaks for decades, and during this time, has developed a particular expertise on the legal side of the issue(s). Through our conversation, we look at the direct actions filed against Snowbowl and other supreme court cases that have affected Tribal Nations, organizations, and peak defenders’ legal power on the issue. It is clear through this legal exploration that the government upholds money and property above the health of land and people ( no surprise…) … but so does Snowbowl.

To learn more and stay connected follow us on social media @Protectgrandcanyon and wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, consider sharing these episodes with others. Every episode and story shared is another step toward protecting these sacred places for generations to come. For questions, or to get involved locally, don’t hesitate to email me at Mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org.

Produced by: Mattea Goetz
In Partnership with Beyond the Pines: A FLG Wellness Collective. You can find them @beyondFLG or www.beyondFLG.com
And a most special thank you to our guest, Dr. Chris Jocks
Photo: Dawn Dyer

Thinking about skiing at Snowbowl? Might want to think again. Listen to this series to learn more about why you may want to think twice before spending time there…

This episode is part of a series focused on sharing more about the CRISIS that is Snowbowl Ski Resort (outside of Flagstaff, Arizona) and the agencies that are supposed to hold them accountable.

EPISODES 4 AND 5:

In these episodes, we have a conversation with Dr. Chris Jocks (Kanien’kehá:ka), chair of the Applied Indigenous Studies dept. at NAU. Chris has been involved in the defense of the peaks for decades, and during this time, has developed a particular expertise on the legal side of the issue(s). Through our conversation, we look at the direct actions filed against Snowbowl and other supreme court cases that have affected Tribal Nations, organizations, and peak defenders’ legal power on the issue. It is clear through this legal exploration that the government upholds money and property above the health of land and people ( no surprise…) … but so does Snowbowl.

To learn more and stay connected follow us on social media @Protectgrandcanyon and wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, consider sharing these episodes with others. Every episode and story shared is another step toward protecting these sacred places for generations to come. For questions, or to get involved locally, don’t hesitate to email me at Mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org.

Produced by: Mattea Goetz
In Partnership with Beyond the Pines: A FLG Wellness Collective. You can find them @beyondFLG or www.beyondFLG.com
And a most special thank you to our guest, Dr. Chris Jocks
Photo: Dawn Dyer

This episode is a part of a mini-series that we developed in partnership with 3 students from NAU focused on the crisis that is Snowbowl Ski Resort and the agencies that are supposed to hold them accountable. For clearer audio, skip to episode 4.

To learn more and stay connected follow us on social media @Protectgrandcanyon and follow us wherever you listen to podcasts, and consider sharing these episodes with others. Every episode and story shared is another step toward protecting these sacred places for generations to come. For questions, or to get involved locally, don't hesitate to email me at Mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org

Produced by: Mattea Goetz, NAU student team, Carrie Danielson
In Partnership with Beyond the Pines: A FLG Wellness Collective. You can find them @beyondFLG or www.beyondFLG.com

And a most special thank you to our guest, Allen Stewart.

This episode is a part of a mini-series that we developed in partnership with 3 students from NAU focused on Snowbowl Ski Resort and the agencies that are supposed to hold them accountable. For clearer audio, skip to episode 4.

EDIT: Snowbowl Ski Resort, at the time it began using reclaimed sewage water for artificial snow, was the only resort in the world to use reclaimed water to make 100% of their artificial snow. However, since that time, it is unclear if there are other resorts that also use reclaimed waste water for 100% of their artificial snow. re: "Snowbowl is the only resort in world to use reclaimed waste water for 100% of their artificial snow"

To learn more and stay connected follow us on social media @Protectgrandcanyon and follow us wherever you listen to podcasts, and consider sharing these episodes with others. Every episode and story shared is another step toward protecting these sacred places for generations to come. For questions, or to get involved locally, don't hesitate to email me at Mattea.goetz@sierraclub.org,

Also check out Heal the Peaks healthepeaks.com to read “Conflicting Perspectives Regarding the Holy Mountain Called “San Francisco Peaks,” and Other Sacred and Significant Places of Original Nations and Traditional Healers,” learn more, and sign their petition.

Music by: Emma Nesteruck
Produced by: Mattea Goetz, NAU student team, Carrie Danielson
In Partnership with Beyond the Pines: A FLG Wellness Collective. You can find them @beyondFLG or www.beyondFLG.com
And a most special thank you to our guest, Shawn Mulford.