Gila River Against Loop 202 Highway

Each of us has people or items that are important to us and that we would do anything to protect. Thus, losing something we care for profoundly can affect our everyday lives and leave us feeling like a part of us is missing.

For the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) in Arizona, many residents opposed the construction of the Loop 202 Freeway because the proposed target area, South Mountain, was a sacred place for the O’odham and Pee Posh people [1].

Moreover, South Mountain contains sacred petroglyphs, which are carvings in canyons, some of which were created by the Hohokam, a prehistoric Oasisameriaca tribe, in southern Arizona up until about 1450 A.D. [2].

In response to GRIC residents advocating for an alternative highway design that would not impose on locals’ health and rights, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) stated that the 22-mile freeway had a fixed contract of $916 million [3].

South Mountain, or Moahdak Do’ag, was outside tribal borders according to Non-Natives, leading GRIC to fight through the American judicial system. U.S District Judge Diane J. Humetewa ruled that GRIC community activists and Protect Arizona's Resources and Children failed to prove the proposed Loop 202 would cause harm to sacred land or children's health [3, 4]. As a result, GRIC could not prevent this project from continuing, and South Mountain was desecrated. 

This topic was selected because the GRIC resistance shows that settler colonialism, erasure of indigenous culture, and the fight for Native land sovereignty are not past environmental justice issues but rather problems that indigenous communities continue to face.

Wolfe (2006) described settler colonialism as “an inclusive, land-centered project… with a view to eliminating Indigenous societies” (393) [6]. This definition highlights how settler colonialism was, and continues to be, invasive and destructive. One way that settler colonialism occurs today is through the assertion of power to steal territory from indigenous communities for capitalist purposes and profit.

In the following video, Andrew Pedro, an Akimel O’otham and Gila River tribal member, feels that there is a lack of understanding of the diversity of indigenous cultures among the non-Native residents [1]. This claim supports the notion that teaching in America revolves around the dominant perspective of white settlers, while ignoring the long-standing Native history, including the harm caused to their people by European colonists. Therefore, modern settler colonialism is perpetuated and upheld by ignorance and an imbalance of power, hindering non-Indians from supporting indigenous causes because their lack of knowledge limits them from understanding the importance of supporting movements, such as the fight against building the Loop 202.

The video below is an interview with two Gila River residents, Joseph Perez and Nathaniel Percharo, who were in the process of gathering signatures to prompt a new election to prompt a review of the 5-to-1 vote for constructing the highway on the reservation. Advocating to change the initial decision, GRIC members could voice their opposition against the Loop 202 freeway, emphasizing that ADOT lacked the authority to build the highway through South Mountain because doing so trespasses on reservation land [7]. Therefore, this example highlights how modern settler colonialism continues to infringe on indigenous rights by ADOT limiting GRIC’s ability to discuss the impact of the Loop 202 freeway expansion on their community.

With an intent to save South Mountain, Percharo emphasized that GRIC members wanted a new vote because the impact of building the freeway on indigenous land was not discussed during the initial decision. When asked why specific issues were not brought up, both members replied they could not explain why, yet felt that the vote was intentionally misleading [7]. Thus, GRIC members wanted a revote after having the chance to voice their concerns. These issues may have included how colonial expansion strives to eliminate Native people or force them to assimilate into white society.

One potential reason for the misinformed initial vote could be the invasive settler society, whose aim was to expand the highway to make more profit, save commuters time, and gain publicity by completing a successful project that supports the U.S., a capitalist nation. Moreover, the signature collection was one way that GRIC members attempted to fight settler colonialism by making their voices heard in an attempt to save South Mountain. By refusing to let colonial oppression stop them from their goal, GRIC worked tirelessly to show that building the highway, a land-centered settlers’ project, would contribute to the erasure of indigenous culture and invasion on Native land sovereignty, both of which are damaging effects of settler colonialism.

To begin this section, consider how the following excerpt of GRIC’s injunction to stop the freeway construction illustrates the impact of Loop 202 on indigenous culture: “the destruction of Muhadagi Doag would be permanent, and would rob the Community of one of our most important and sacred natural resources” [8].

Notably, the Gila River community designated South Mountain as “a sacred site/traditional cultural property” during April 2007 [9], yet despite their opposition, ADOT followed through with the construction, thus contributing to the erasure of Native culture. In addition, other socio-economic impacts were the loss of traditional practices and knowledge [10].

Pedro describes how non-Native people’s separation between culture and place makes it difficult for them to comprehend why Gila River and other indigenous communities have a strong connection to their ancestral land [1]. This distinct difference in values between indigenous people and those in favor of the Loop 202 highway illustrates how the erasure of Native culture was not taken into account when ultimately deciding to continue with the freeway construction, despite indigenous opposition. 

Furthermore, Pedro explained how many of those who fought against the construction of the Loop 202 highway refuse to drive on it [1] because the freeway serves as a reminder of their tireless fight that, in the end, did not save South Mountain. This act of refusal is an example of indigenous resistance against modern settler colonialism’s attempt to erase Native culture, in which a sacred indigenous area was sacrificed to shave off an estimated 15 minutes of non-Native community members’ daily commutes [1]. This disparity between which communities’ culture and values are upheld shows how Native people are not a priority, even when making decisions that directly impact them.

Native land significance can be found in petroglyphs, referred to as rock art, which the Hohokam people created as a part of their prehistoric culture, thousands of which can be found throughout Arizona–including South Mountain [11]. The patterns of the petroglyphs, sometimes called “The Teaching Rocks” [10], represent a variety of important life embodiments, such as people and animals, as well as shapes with potential symbolic purposes. Something to consider is that the Hohokam tribe did not leave written messages with their petroglyphs, allowing people to find meaning that resonates with them. What emotions do you feel when you see the petroglyphs below? Also, how can we strengthen our relationship and appreciation for the land we live on and interact with daily?

By destroying the petroglyphs, capitalist institutions exert their power to effectively erase indigenous culture. This colonial oppression harms indigenous communities as they continue their intergenerational fight to preserve their cultural practices, as well as their languages, that disrespect and disregard Native rights and sovereignty.

The construction of the Loop 202 freeway highlights a lack of consideration for indigenous culture, traditions, and religious connections, including disregard for sacred petroglyphs and the act of gathering medicinal plants [1]. Furthermore, this disrespect of indigenous values demonstrates how ADOT prioritized the benefits that supported their desires, such as increasing productivity, profit, and lowering traffic times.

Additionally, ADOT’s lack of consultation and acknowledgment of GRIC’s opinions about the Loop 202 freeway depicts the continued oppression of indigenous culture and attempts of outsiders to impede on Native land sovereignty by expanding the highway despite Native tribal resistance. 

One report by GRIC members describes the potential adverse consequences of constructing the highway as well as an alternative route to the highway [12]. Also, the details about the project area’s environmental and cultural settings highlight how the proposed freeway would impact GRIC, demonstrating how ADOT did not respect the indigenous communities’ opinions and beliefs. In turn, this disregard violated their land sovereignty by destroying South Mountain.

Routing the highway off-reservation would have taken more time and cost more money for ADOT [12], yet this option was not adequately considered because indigenous land sovereignty was viewed as secondary to those who benefit from capitalism. This dismissal showed the significant inequality of power, further emphasizing how Native land rights were deemed inessential in the freeway’s construction. 

Another example of people in power ignoring indigenous land sovereignty is when ADOT spokesperson Dustin Krugel explained that roughly 31 acres of South Mountain would be cut through, which is less than 0.2 percent of the entire park area [13]. Krugel emphasized how “it’s a very small section of the park that will be affected by this highway” [13], not understanding how the quantity of land impacted does not take into account the neighboring Native communities’ intergenerational relationship with South Mountain, and how destroying the sacred land impedes indigenous freedom.

Conversely, Shannon Rivers, an indigenous rights activist, said that the construction of the Loop 202 highway is “not only a physical obstacle but a spiritual obstacle” [13]. This account illustrates how the destruction of South Mountain would have lasting impacts on GRIC members’ spiritual connection to their ancestral land. Unfortunately, non-Native people deciding the fate of South Mountain were unwilling to comprehend these factors.

Moreover, ADOT continued to emphasize that building the highway through South Mountain would have minimal effect on neighboring areas [13]. This dismissal is evident as an ADOT representative directed environmental justice protesters to the department’s website instead of answering their questions or listening to their stories [3]. Therefore, ADOT’s lack of sincerity in understanding the importance of South Mountain further perpetuates how the department made irreversible decisions at the expense of indigenous land sovereignty by viewing Native rights and culture as insignificant. Additionally, GRIC experienced land dispossession that hindered their ability to preserve cultural practices tied to their kinship with South Mountain.

This story map aimed to educate readers about how the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) was disproportionately impacted by the construction of the Loop 202 freeway. Furthermore, this story map was used to examine this case as an example of the intersectionality between modern settler colonialism, erasure of native culture, and deprivation of a local indigenous community’s land sovereignty. 

This interactive storytelling allowed for the use of visual aids and texts to showcase South Mountain before the highway and after it was desecrated. Also, videos of indigenous activists were included to highlight the importance of the sacred mountain.

Ending with some powerful words from Andrew Pedro, “To harm that mountain is harming us as indigenous people, as O’Odham people… because that mountain is a part of our creation stories and tales, things that we use and know” (14). In all, I hope that GRIC’s activism against the Loop 202 highway, as well as Pedro’s words, motivates readers to support other contemporary indigenous environmental justice issues because more assistance can give Native activists a chance to successfully advocate for their causes.

[1] Krol, Debra U. “South Mountain: After a long fight, a new freeway leaves cultural sites in ruins,” AZ Central, August 20, 2021,  https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona/2021/08/19/south-mountain-freeway-cultural-sites-ruins/7903863002/ 

[2] Indian Country Today. “Native American Rock Art,” September 13, 2018,  https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/native-american-rock-art 

[3] Marynia, Paul. “Boos, chants and protests greet ADOT at Ahwatukee meeting on freeway,” Ahwatukee Foothills News, August 29, 2016,  https://www.ahwatukee.com/columns/safe_driving/article_1089101e-6978-11e6-a593-df618b3ba1ce.html 

[4] Boehm, Jessica. “Federal Court Rejects Latest Attempt to Stop South Mountain Freeway.” Az Central, 8 Dec. 2017,  https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2017/12/08/federal-court-rejects-latest-attempt-stop-south-mountain-freeway/936373001/ 

[5] The Arizona Republic Staff. “South Mountain: Freeway Damaged Cultural Sites.” AZ Central, 19 Aug. 2021,  https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/arizona/2021/08/19/south-mountain-freeway-cultural-sites/5377964001/ 

[6] Wolfe, Patrick. “Settler Colonialism and the Elimination of the Native.” Journal of genocide research 8, no. 4 (2006): 387-409,  https://doi.org/10.1080/14623520601056240 

[7] “South Mountain Freeway/Gila River Indian Community.” YouTube, uploaded by Arizona PBS, 17 May 2012,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gShdCjgPuic 

[8] “Gila River Indian Community Files Injunction Seeking to Stop South Mountain Freeway Construction Pending Federal Appeal.” Gila River Indian News, 16 Dec. 2016,  https://www.gricnews.org/index.php/grin-articles/2016-articles/december-16-2016-articles/gila-river-indian-community-files-injunction-seeking-to-stop-south-mountain-freeway-construction-pending-federal-appeal 

[9] “Background.” Gila River Against Loop 202, 20 Jan. 2012,  https://gilariveragainstloop202.wordpress.com/background-3/ 

[10] Hanacek, Ksenija. “Gila River Community against Loop 202 Freeway Project, South Mountain, Phoenix, USA | EJAtlas.” Environmental Justice Atlas, 14 Sept. 2021,  https://ejatlas.org/conflict/loop-202-freeway-project-south-mountain-phoenix-usa 

[11] Paul. “Petroglyph Rock Art in South Mountain Park Provides Evidence of Ancestral Hohokam Life.” AZ Wonders, 10 Sept. 2018,  https://azwonders.com/2018/10/09/petroglyph-rock-art-in-south-mountain-park-provides-evidence-of-prehistoric-hohokam-life/ 

[12] McCool, John M., and Chris Loendorf. “South Mountain Transportation Corridor in Maricopa County, Arizona,” ADOT, October 2012,  https://apps.azdot.gov/files/projects/south-mtn/FEIS/2012-10-01-wapa-realignments-class-iii-survey-gric-crmpredacted.pdf 

[13] Weil, Audrey. “Gila River Indian Community Opposes Freeway on Sacred Land.” Cronkite News - Arizona PBS, 22 Sept. 2015,  https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2015/09/22/gila-river-indian-community-opposes-freeway-on-sacred-land/ 

[14] Sieg, Stina. “Protesters Fight Loop 202 Extension.” KJZZ, 17 June 2015,  https://kjzz.org/content/154199/protesters-fight-loop-202-extension