Visiting the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge and Sasabe Border Wall
A Note from the Author:
“Hello! My Name is Clay Begay, Sierra Club Borderlands Intern, I am a junior studying Agricultural Economics. I joined the Borderlands group for an outing to Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge and had an incredible time. I hope my story and pictures will give it justice."
I was filled with excitement for my first outing with the Borderlands crew and met at the Historic Y for a bit of exercise before setting off. We journeyed through the stunning landscape of O’odham land. After turning south at Three Points, I gazed to the west and saw the Baboquivari Wilderness punctuating the view, several hawks guiding us toward Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge. I felt a deep sense of reverence because Baboquivari peak is sacred to my O’odham relatives; this is where their creator, I’itoi, lives. As my family taught me, I set off my prayers when visiting sacred spaces, feeling content as the animals that roam these lands welcomed me.
As we entered the refuge, we were greeted by several birds perched on piles of mesquite branches. I couldn’t help but reflect on how beautiful this landscape must have been before colonialism took root on O’odham land, and how much the environment has changed since. Erick Meza, Border Program Coordinator, reminded us that we are on O’odham Land, acknowledging the people who once occupied these lands. His recognition deepened my respect, underscoring the importance of honoring those whose lands we visit.
After a delicious meal at the refuge, we set out for Sasabe to witness portions of the border wall, which has disrupted migration trails of many journeying between Mexico and the U.S. My thoughts drifted to how my relatives often say, “We didn’t cross the border; it crossed us.” This sentiment was evident just west of the wall at Sasabe, where the Tohono O’odham Nation begins. The Nation understand the importance of living in harmony with their surroundings–animals, plants, and people alike–which is why you won’t find an imposing wall on their portion of the border.
I look forward to working with Sierra Club members Erick Meza, Sandy Bahr, Cyndi Tuell, Miché Lozano, and many others in the coming year. I have much to learn from them, yet I also bring with me the Indigenous Knowledge passed down from my parents and grandparents. I hope this knowledge will have a rippling effect on my friends here, just as I am keenly aware of their passion and vitality in restoring harmony to our environment–both physically and spiritually. Ahéhee’.