We commemorate and celebrate Native American Heritage Month throughout the month of November to recognize the important contributions Indigenous people have made and continue to make to the country and to the Grand Canyon. This year’s theme is Celebrating Tribal and Indigenous Sovereignty and Identity. Tribal sovereignty ensures that any decisions about Tribes about their property and citizens are made with their participation and consent. The federal trust responsibility is a legal obligation under which the United States “has charged itself with moral obligations of the highest responsibility and trust” toward Indian Tribes.

Grand Canyon National Park is built on Native lands, and although we cannot change the past, we can change the present and ultimately the future by strengthening our relationships with the associated tribes and the land we all share.

We are fortunate at Grand Canyon National Park to live among 11 Tribal Nationswho have inhabited the canyon from time immemorial. These vibrant communities have always been and continue to be stewards of this land. We greatly appreciate and celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of all Native peoples, and particularly those on whose ancestral homelands we live and work

During Native American Heritage Month, we will explore the heritage, culture, and experience of Indigenous peoples both historically and today. Look for messages from the park all month, including on social media with#GrandCanyonFirstVoices, as we share Native history and culture, along with our ongoing collaborative efforts and vision here in Grand Canyon National Park.

Grand Canyon Speaks podcast to be released Friday

One of our efforts to collaborate with Tribal members here in the park is a brand-new podcast series set to be released this coming Friday.

Some of our interpretation staff have been working diligently since the beginning of summer to produce a series of podcasts called “Grand Canyon Speaks.” The podcasts consist of a series of candid, educational, and frequently entertaining conversations with our visiting cultural demonstrators.

On Friday, November 3, seven episodes of “Grand Canyon Speaks” will be released on nps.gov.

The Grand Canyon Speaks Podcast and in-person programming would not be possible without funding provided by Grand Canyon Conservancy. The voices heard on this podcast are participants from the Cultural Demonstration Program which is funded entirely by the Conservancy. Grand Canyon Conservancy’s revenue comes from visitor purchases and donations.

You can learn more about Grand Canyon Conservancy at www.grandcanyon.org.

You can find all seven finalized episodes of Grand Canyon Speaks online at:

www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/grand-canyon-speaks.htm.

You can also find them on the Apple Store at:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grand-canyon-speaks/id1714490488.

Grandview Tower/310 Rd. closed through November 9

Through November 9, the Grandview Tower Road (aka the Forest Service 310 Rd. from Hwy. 64 leading south to Kaibab National Forest boundary) will be closed to public access. This closure is necessary to begin long-overdue reconstruction to the roadbed and improve drainage prior to the winter season.

Due to the current state of the road and the reconstruction being performed, no vehicles will be allowed to access the Kaibab National Forest or the park via this section of roadway. Individuals who have valid hunting and wood gathering permits may continue to access the forest through the Town of Tusayan. A full flyer on this closure is available here.

Water winterization continues in inner canyon

As a reminder, on Monday, Oct. 30, water at the 1.5-Mile and 3-Mile Resthouses on the Bright Angel Trail was shut off for the winter season.

Last week, water was turned off at the North Kaibab Trailhead and at Hermits Rest. Water at Cottonwood Campground is anticipated to be shut off within the next several weeks.

For the most up to date information on inner canyon water status, visit the Critical Backcountry Updates page on our website.

Astronomy Nights Friday through Sunday

On Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4, there will be free astronomy programs behind the South Rim Visitor Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Then on Sunday, November 5, there will be a special presentation on constellations in the same location at 7 p.m.

On all three nights, park staff will present programs and have telescopes set up for night sky viewing. The events are free to attend and no registration is required.

Please bring red lights to minimize light pollution, and remember to dress warmly, as you will be outside for the duration.

On Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5, Bennet Wakayuta and Rudy Castro will be at the Watchtower from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Bennett Wakayuta (top left) is a Hualapai drum maker who makes traditional drums out of wood and animal hides (top right). He typically uses cottonwood and elk hides, and fashions drumsticks out of wood and leather.

• Rudy Castro is a young Hualapai painter from Lake Havasu. He learned his craft from Carlos Begay and has been painting for about two years.

Then next Tuesday, November 7 through Thursday, November 9, Dorothy and Emerson Ami (bottom right) will be at the Watchtower from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Samuel is a Hopi carver and painter from Oraibi, Arizona who has been creating traditional Kachina Dolls since the age of 10. His creations are made from all-natural materials, including the pigment paints he uses.

• Dorothy learned her craft from her cousin, and has been creating pottery since 1996. Continuing the tradition of passing down knowledge, Dorothy then taught Emerson.

Each of their pieces are created in the traditional coil method, stone-polished, painted with natural clay pigments, and then fired with cedar and sheep manure.

Fledgling California condor sighting

Park biologists have confirmed a fledgling CA Condor in the Deer Creek area of Grand Canyon National Park!

Condor 1246 from pair P9 fledged early but seems to be doing well.

Condors usually start mating in January and lay eggs in March with hatching occurring in May. Most condors in the Southwest Arizona/ Utah population, which includes the Grand Canyon birds, fledge in November. Condors only lay one egg at a time and raise a chick for two consecutive years.

The Southwest Arizona/ Utah population was hard hit by avian flu (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) this spring and lead poisoning remains a primary cause of death for this species.

The Arizona-Utah recovery effort is a cooperative program by federal, state and private partners, including The Peregrine Fund, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management’s Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Kaibab and Dixie National Forests among many other supporting groups and individuals.

To learn more about the identity of specific CA Condors by wing tag number please visit: https://condorspotter.com.

For more information about Grand Canyon’s Condor program visit:  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/california-condor.htm.

Interested in a federal job with the NPS?

Employment Workshop November 7 at Albright Training Center

In the coming months, Albright Training Center will be hiring several positions for housekeepers, maintenance workers, administration, and more!

On Thursday, November 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., join Albright staff to hear more about job opportunities and start preparing your resume.

This event will have three sessions including a tour of Albright, how to find and apply for federal jobs, and federal resume writing. You can join all sessions or just the ones you are interested in.

More information with specific times for each session can be found in the attached flyer here.

All COVID safety protocols outlined in the DOI and NPS COVID Workplan Guidance are still required. Be sure to promptly report any illness, to include COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and NPS Public Health Consultant, Ronan King, at 202-891-8599.

Reduced shuttle hours for November

As of November 1, the park’s shuttle buses have transitioned to a reduced schedule due to staffing issues and the upcoming winter season. From now until November 30, the new schedule will be as follows:

• The Blue Line will run from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• The Red Line will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• The Orange Line will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The Hiker’s Express schedule will remain unchanged, leaving from Bright Angel Lodge every morning at 7, 8, and 9 a.m. This bus will shift to 8:00 and 9:00 in December-January-February

All buses will continue to run approximately every fifteen minutes.

Canyon Closet winter clothing giveaway this Saturday

This Saturday, November 4, there will be a winter clothing giveaway at the Canyon Closet inside the community library. Warm clothes, shoes, coats, boots, gloves, scarves, and hats are available and free to all ages.

The Canyon Closet is still accepting winter clothing donations if you’d like to drop off any items during this time. A full flyer for the event can be found here.

November schedule for Grand Canyon Rec Center now available

Harry Potter, painting, crafting, music, adventure, and more all await you at the Grand Canyon Community Recreation Center!

Check out the November Calendar here: www.facebook.com/GrandCanyonRec.

Grand Canyon Half Marathon and 5K

This Saturday, November 4, the non-profit group Run Tucson will be hosting a half marathon and a 5K run starting in Tusayan.

The courses will start in front of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in Tusayan. Both courses will be a loop through Kaibab National Forest land just south of the park.

A portion of the proceeds from registration fees and donations will go toward the Grand Canyon Food Pantry and the Tusayan Fire Department.

You can get 20% off registration by entering the code “NationalPark,” and there are various hotels in Tusayan that offer discounts to race participants. To register or learn more about Run Tucson, visit runtuscon.net.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
• Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, Breakfast 6-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge-dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily, lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge-Breakfast, 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner, 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Patio (limited menu), 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m. -2 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Kolb Studio, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 6-8 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Monday and Wednesday from 12-2 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga at Grand Canyon Rec Center: Mondays-6-7 p.m., Wednesdays-6:30-7:30 p.m. (full schedule available here, locals use discount code: GCLOCALS when registering)

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily (starting Sunday, Nov. 5, the GCC store and DV Watchtower will move to winter hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily)
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View Convenience Store (adjacent to gas station), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

North Rim

• Service station gas pumps, 24 hours
• Backcountry Information Center CLOSED for season
• Hwy. 67 to North Rim open until November 30 (or following the first major snow event)

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• The Little Colorado River is a sacred place to many tribes of Grand Canyon (NPS Photo)
• A young visitor fills her water bottle at a filling station (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• The 2019 Star Party on the South Rim (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Bennett Wakayuta and some of his drums (Photo courtesy Bennett Wakayuta)
• Dorothy and Emerson Ami and one of their works (Photo courtesy Dorothy and Emerson Ami)
• A fledgling California condor spotted with a scope (NPS Photo/J.H. Thompson)
• A line of people boards a bus on Hermit Road (NPS Photo)
• Xanterra firefighters greet trick-or-treaters on Park Circle on Halloween (NPS Photo/K. Ross)
• Participants in the 2021 Grand Canyon Half Marathon (Photo courtesy Damion Alexander)