PHOENIX – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema met with Havasupai Tribe council members and discussed the need to protect the Grand Canyon and expand broadband for the Havasupai Reservation.
“I pledge to continue partnering with tribal leaders to protect the Grand Canyon and support opportunities for the Havasupai Tribe,” said Sinema.
Approximately 700 members of the Havasupai Tribe live in the Grand Canyon, a major tourist destination and the main source of revenue for the Havasupai Tribe.
Earlier this year, Sinema met with the Grand Canyon National Park Acting Superintendent in August to discuss efforts to strengthen telecommunication services and infrastructure at the Grand Canyon, such as enhancing cell service, internet speed, and radio telecommunications to improve public safety and protect natural and cultural resources.
As a strong advocate for rural broadband in the Senate Commerce Committee, Sinema introduced this year the bipartisan ACCESS Rural America Act that encourages private investment in rural broadband. In May 2019, Sinema applauded the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to invest expanding broadband on the Havasupai Reservation, which provides Havasupai students access to critical educational services.