iver running traditions on the Colorado River span over one hundred years, commencing with Major John Wesley Powell’s expedition in 1869. These traditions, both written and oral, are in fact a living expression of our American heritage with marked cultural significance. Over time, a distinct river culture and community have emerged. The very existence of publications like the Boatman’s Quarterly Review, and organizations like Grand Canyon River Guides, attest to the viability and spirit of this enduring and unique culture. An interesting presentation at the 1999 Guides Training Seminar given by Lisa Leap, Grand Canyon National Park archaeologist, concurred that the boating community in Grand Canyon defines a living river culture. She called upon the river community to identify those areas of cultural importance to them and suggested a specific process to do-a National Register program that centers on the traditional cultural significance of a historic property that is derived from the role that property plays in a community’s historically rooted beliefs, customs and practices. A “Traditional Cultural Property” or tcp, can be defined as one that is eligible for inclusion in the National Register because of its association with cultural practices or beliefs of a living community that a) are rooted in that community’s history, and b) are important in maintaining the continuing cultural identity of the community. Tcp designation would enable the boating community to define itself culturally along the river corridor while also ensuring participation in all planning processes, federal or otherwise, as well as in the historic preservation components of overall management plans. Although an unusual application of the tcp designation process, Traditional Cultural Properties for river runners in Grand Canyon could have measurable benefits-legitimacy and clout for river runners and mandatory consultation in any planning processes that include the river corridor, whether those initiated through Grand Canyon National Park, the Adaptive Management Program, or any other state or federal agencies. Furthermore, we believe that this designation would have great meaning for the river community as a whole as river running is more than a vocation-it is both a passion and a profound historical legacy. Any successful tcp nomination would acknowledge and legitimize the importance of the river running culture and the traditional values that are central to the way this culture defines itself. It would also highlight the impact that river runners in Grand Canyon have had on our nation’s history including the expansion of the American West-a touchstone for that same intrepid and adventurous spirit that lives on in Grand Canyon River Runners today. today. Over the years, various gcrg boards have informally discussed the issue. Defining what those tcp’s might be for the river culture eventually brought us to the most simple but eminently logical conclusion-the entire Colorado River corridor through Grand Canyon is our Traditional Cultural Property. We found that our tcp was not just a single site, or any number of significant sites, objects or features. The whole, in this case, is greater than the sum of its parts-the entire river corridor encompasses beaches, rapids, the “natural” wilderness like qualities, native species, specific historic sites, natural and man-made features, historic boats (both those in situ, as well as those undergoing conservation processes), etc...

This “totality” is the essence of the river experience and what makes it so powerful and enduring for this river culture. Although not static, these values are necessary for maintaining the continuing sense of cultural identity for the river running culture as they connect, encompass and shape our traditions, history and even our future. The holistic definition of the entire river corridor as the traditional cultural property for the living river culture makes perfect sense-it is “vital to maintaining this group’s sense of identity and self respect.” Furthermore, “any damage to or infringement upon [these traditional cultural values] is perceived to be deeply offensive to, and even destructive of, the group that values them.” This language, taken directly from National Register Bulletin 38, so aptly describes river guides’ deepest, gut feelings about this special place that it seems to have been written with that in mind. This signifies that a cultural identity exists-one that is not transitory, but deep, meaningful and enduring over generations. Christa Sadler, former gcrg president, echoed this sentiment very eloquently in a past bqr article, “For indeed we are a tribe, a group with a history and traditions, even a language all our own. There are places on the River and in the Canyon that are important to our culture, traditions without which we would lose some of our identity, and a community without which we would not be who we are.” Bqr Volume 12:2, Spring 1999. But what shall we do about it? The tcp nomination process is a highly complicated and involved process. Fortunately, the river corridor has already been determined to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register. There is also precedence for large natural features to be nominated and accepted in this process (Mt. Shasta, for example). Yet, as previously indicated, this is a somewhat unusual application of the process, although tcp’s can certainly exist for any traditional group, even one as seemingly “untraditional” as river runners. This process would most likely require formal ethnographic studies and a great deal of background research, field inspection and recordation of the location. Gcrg would not be capable of pursuing this without outside assistance, perhaps from an educational institution. It would also require a great degree of support from people knowledgeable about the tcp nomination process. We have been “testing the waters” so to speak with the cultural resources department of Grand Canyon National Park, and other quarters, to determine the feasibility of success as well as requisite support. The river season is over, yet river runners will be drawn to Grand Canyon once again next spring. Regardless of whether gcrg is able to pursue this nomination formally, there is no doubt that river runners of the Colorado River have evolved into a distinct culture and a vibrant community. Take a moment to reflect on your individual role in the larger picture of this living culture. Each and every one of you link the past with the present, and the present with the future. This is both your heritage and an enormous responsibility-to ensure the continued preservation and protection of the Colorado River corridor through Grand Canyon, and to uphold the priceless river experience that feeds your soul.

Lynn Hamilton
Executive Director
Grand Canyon River Guides