Jesse T. answered • 19d
US History Expert
Hi Brenda,
This is a very good question, and it's a bit of a double edged sword. I imagine what you're referring to is protected land designated as National Parks. This was spearheaded by Theodore Roosevelt, an avid lover of nature. The cause was noble enough. Label certain areas federally protected as National Parks. And while I'm in love with the idea of preserving nature, this had a back handed effect of further forcing Native Americans off of more of their tribal land. There was no "have your cake and eat it too" with this. But it's hard to say no at the same time. Consider this: a land mass can span state borders. One states interests might contradict another states interests, and that span of land that would otherwise be federally protected may be protected in one state, and contested in another. Though in the grand scheme, I'd like to see federally protected land given back to the appropriate Indigenous tribes to be cared after as they have cared for it for centuries.
In essence, my answer to your question is yes, but it's a complicated yes.
