Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of September 27, 2021
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Vaccine Booster Shot Update
The following people should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series:
The following people may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
- People aged 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions
- People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.
Please note that the Grand Canyon clinic has not administered any Pfizer vaccines, so they will not be administering any of these booster shots at this time.
The CDC is expected to make additional recommendations soon for other populations of people who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Federal Contractors Vaccination Update
- All federal contractors must be fully vaccinated by December 8, 2021. The deadline for federal employees to be fully vaccinated remains November 22, 2021.
- Concessions and park partners who have questions on this requirement should discuss it with their supervisor directly.
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Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics
We continue to see slight decreases in COVID case numbers across the state.
Case numbers in Arizona decreased slightly this week to 2,501 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 2,564.
There have been a total of 243 cases in the 86023 zip code and approximately 62 cases in the park since the beginning of the pandemic.
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Grand Canyon Clinic Updates
The clinic reports they have administered a total of 2,500 vaccine doses and that 1,289 individuals have been fully vaccinated. The clinic is seeing a small uptick in demand and is anticipating a surge in demand in the coming weeks. Those needing to be vaccinated before the deadline for federal employees and contractors should consider scheduling a vaccine appointment now or exploring alternative options for getting vaccinated.
The clinic is seeing an increased demand for testing, largely driven by positive contacts.
Saliva testing remains available Monday-Wednesday from 8-11 a.m. PCR nasal swabs are available Monday and Friday at 2 p.m. and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Please call ahead to schedule these, walk-in testing without an appointment is unlikely to be available due to other clinic demands. Testing outside of these times is only available with an office visit.
Third doses of the Moderna vaccine at the clinic are only available for those with documented medical conditions including immunosuppression, active cancer treatment, uncontrolled HIV, and other immune suppressing treatments. We will continue to update you as these guidelines change.
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Reporting COVID symptoms is critical to limiting exposure and keeping our staff and community safe.
If you think you may have been exposed to COVID, regardless of your vaccination status, immediately isolate and report your situation to your supervisor and Public Health Consultant, Ronan King, and await their instructions.
Following this protocol and Ronan’s instructions is extremely important so that any community spread can be contained as quickly as possible.
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Public Health Contacts
Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
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Upcoming COVID Vaccine Events
A COVID and flu shot vaccination event will be held next Monday, October 4th from 3-5 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Rec Center Ramada. If there is inclement weather, the event will be held inside the Rec Center in the Piano Room. Please bring your vaccination card if you are seeking a second or third dose of the COVID vaccine. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer. A follow-up vaccination event will be held on Monday, November 1, for those individuals getting their first shot at the October vaccination event who need a second shot for full vaccination. The November 1 vaccination event will also take place from 3-5 p.m. at the Rec Center.
There are no updates on a North Rim vaccination event at this time.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Possible Lapse in Appropriations
As we approach the end of the fiscal year, park managers are prepared for the possibility that there could be a lapse in appropriations beginning at 12 a.m. on October 1. At this time it is looking very promising there will not be a lapse in appropriations.
We want to assure you that GRCA leadership is doing everything they can to limit the impact of a possible lapse. In previous years, the state of Arizona has funded Grand Canyon operations during a lapse in appropriations. Our park management team in currently in discussions with the state about doing this again this year, if needed.
For the time being, park operations are continuing as normal. For NPS employees, please check your email for updates from the Superintendent’s Office.
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Bison Reduction Operations Continue on North Rim
Last week marked our first successful bison lethal removal operation with skilled volunteers on the North Rim. This fall, the park plans to lethally remove up to 12 bison—the fewest number our wildlife biologists believe necessary to achieve the needed effect of protecting park resources. It is important to remember that lethal removal is not a trophy hunt and is conducted under controlled circumstances directed and supervised by our park managers.
Additionally, during the first operational period last week, culturally significant bison parts were donated to Grand Canyon’s Traditionally Associated Tribes, including the Navajo and Zuni Tribes. We expect to donate even more throughout the duration of the program. The tribes greatly appreciated these donations.
This week our staff is continuing with the second week of lethal removal operations using skilled volunteers. We will have additional updates to share at the end of the program.
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Thank You Admin & Budget Staff!
To the Administration Division and budget staff across the park, a big “thank you” for the excellent work in closing out FY21!
Each year, this requires an immense amount of planning and organization. Many of you work long hours, and hopefully, the beginning of a new fiscal year will allow you to take a break and recharge after a busy close-out. Thank you to Jill Lewis and Katie Morris for their leadership in making this year’s budget process a success!
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South Rim District Report Available
Despite slower visitation throughout the park, the South Rim District remains busy in protecting our community and serving the residents and visitors of Grand Canyon.
Check out what they’ve been up to the last few weeks here:
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Reading Recommendations from Tribal Program Manager, Mike Lyndon
This week we had the opportunity to welcome Mike Lyndon, Grand Canyon Tribal Program Manager, as a guest speaker during the NPS all employee and Grand Canyon community and stakeholder calls. Mike shared exciting program updates for the Desert View Inter-Tribal Cultural Heritage site, the Inter-Tribal Working Group, and the proposed name change of Indian Garden to Havasupai Gardens. As part of his discussion, Mike shared a number of reading recommendations for those wanting a more in-depth understanding of Grand Canyon tribal history, perspectives and values.
Mike recommends these titles based on the fact that these authors either worked directly with the tribes or they were authored by tribal members.
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Becoming Hopi is a comprehensive look at the history of the people of the Hopi Mesas as it has never been told before. The Hopi Tribe is one of the most intensively studied Indigenous groups in the world. Most popular accounts of Hopi history romanticize Hopi society as “timeless.” The archaeological record and accounts from Hopi people paint a much more dynamic picture, full of migrations, gatherings, and dispersals of people; a search for the center place; and the struggle to reconcile different cultural and religious traditions.
Becoming Hopi weaves together evidence from archaeology, oral tradition, historical records, and ethnography to reconstruct the full story of the Hopi Mesas, rejecting the colonial divide between “prehistory” and “history.”
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By: Stephen Hirst
I Am the Grand Canyon is the story of the Havasupai people. From their origins among the first group of Indians to arrive in North America some 20,000 years ago to their epic struggle to regain traditional lands taken from them in the nineteenth century, the Havasupai have a long and colorful history.
I Am the Grand Canyon is the story of a heroic people who refused to back down when facing overwhelming odds. They won, and today the Havasupai way of life quietly continues in the Grand Canyon and on the surrounding plateaus.
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Edited by: Jim Enote and Jennifer McLerran
The Zunis have always had maps, in songs and prayers, painted on ceramics, and etched in stone. This book explores “indigenous mapping,” which has become increasingly significant over the last two decades as a way to record and memorialize indigenous knowledge of the landscape.
The Zunis, rather than relying on Western cartography, asked artists within their community to paint representations of historically and culturally important places. The paintings are very rich in Zuni references, and many of the images reflect the activities and ideas of the Zuni religious societies, of which most of the artists are initiated members or even leaders.
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Thank you to all of our 2021 Seasonal Staff!
As many of our seasonal staff begin to depart, we want to thank each of you for your service during this challenging year. Your work is critical to the success of the park. Our entire team here at Grand Canyon appreciate all your hard work this past season which has been full of challenges, from the ongoing pandemic, to poor connectivity, and has required a lot of flexibility.
Thank you for all you do to help shape positive visitor and employee experiences.
We couldn’t do it without you!
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- *Kolb Studio: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center information table: 8a.m.-5p.m.
- On October 2, Xanterra will be reopening Fred Harvey Burger, located in the Bright Angel Lodge, with a limited menu. Operating hours will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Services and seating will be limited, patrons will be able to order at the host stand, be given a number and food will be brought to their table. If seating is not available, patrons will be able to place to-go orders, wait outside and receive a text message when their order is ready for pick up.
- *On Sunday, October 10, the four Grand Canyon Conservancy stores on the South Rim, including Kolb Studio, Verkamps Visitor Center, Visitor Center Plaza, and Yavapai Geology Museum will be transitioning their hours to 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Watchtower, staffed by GCC Saturday-Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Watchtower will be closed to the public on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Beginning September 30, hours will be reduced at the Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS). Most days will still be staffed from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., however, due to staffing levels, some days will only be staffed from 12:30-5 p.m.
- Desert View Campground is accepting reservations through October 17 with the campground closing for the season on October 18.
North Rim
- General Store, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
- Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, NPS staffed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
- North Rim Visitor Center, GCC staffed from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- North Rim Lodge dining, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily
- Deli in the Pines, 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily
- Rough Rider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
The following park closures remain in place:
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Maswik Pizza Pub and Arizona Steak House
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Photo Credits (in order of appearance)
- Cape Royal at sunset (NPS Photo/K. Thomas)
- COVID 19 Vaccine event flyer (File courtesy of Coconino County Health and Human Services)
- Hwy 67 on the North Rim this week after a powerful storm swept through the area (NPS Photo/L. Cisneros)
- South Entrance during the 2013 government shudown (NPS Photo/B. Torres)
- Book covers for: Becoming Hopi, I Am the Grand Canyon: The Story of the Havasupai People, A:shiwi A:wan Ulohnanne, The Zuni World
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