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While Pioneer Day may mean family and fireworks for some, this state-recognized holiday may be more nuanced than local parades show.

The House on Fire ruins is one of the 100,000 archeological sites located at Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. (Erin Tapahe)

Twin buttes rise above a few tiny towns near the Four Corners area in southeastern Utah. The tranquil rock formations known as the Bears Ears, and the 1.9 million acres of land surrounding them, are at the center of an environmental war that involves locals, politicians, Native American tribal governments and activists.

A Ute Indian statue stands in front of the state capitol building. Many Ute tribe leaders were present during Wednesday's rally in hopes of protecting Bears Ears and surrounding land. (Cassandra Shaffer)