Baboquivari: A Sacred Peak

According to ever tribe member our class talked to and readings regarding Baboquivari, there'e no question that the peak is sacred to the Tohono O'odham tribe. As the resting place of I'itoi, the Creator, its assumed that Baboquivari is one of the holiest places on the reservation. However, everyone is allowed to hike Baboquivari, including those with no tribal affiliation. I remember thinking how odd it is for the reservation to not only allow outsiders to climb such a sacred place but also to let visitors look into I'itoi's cave. While the tribe members ask that visitors present a food offering to I'itoi if they go into a cave, there is nobody present to regulate this. Therefore, is it more beneficial to bar people from the cave or hope they follow the traditions of the Tohono O'odham? Furthermore, how can the Tohono O'odham regulate the entrance of disrespectful visitors and illegal immigrants?

Its clear that some Tohono O'odham members are hesitant in allowing outsiders of the reservation to go to Baboquivari. Joe Joaquin, in particular, expressed concern regarding I'itoi's cave and how some people might take food from the offering. These people tend to be immigrants who come through the desert to avoid border patrol. If the tribe decided to regulate entrance into the mountain, the immigrants will still make their way to the mountain and perhaps find the offerings for I'itoi. Thus, closing off the entrance or creating obstacles to I'itoi's cave will not help the tribe significantly. In fact, that makes it more difficult for tribe members to pay their respects to the Creator. A solution to the issue with I'itoi's cave is difficult to come with and perhaps will only be present when we address a larger social issue with immigrants.

If the tribe decides to regulate entrance to Baboquivari, they must start with the surrounding area. That would call for hundreds of park rangers patrolling the peak to make sure illegal immigrants don't take the offering to I'itoi. However, this would cost too much money and too many resources that the reservation does not have. Education for immigrants will not work because they do not stay long enough to be found by tribe members. Blocking off the entrance will not stop illegal immigrants coming from the south. Thus, the solution to the issue on Baboquivari is unclear as there is not solution that is probable in the foreseeable future.