This award winning piece was written by Joseph Austin in 2016 for the UofA College of Law Richard Grand Writing Competition. The competition prompt was to write about a place that is special to the author. At a time when places sacred to indigenous peoples were being vandalized, robbed, and losing protection, Austin took the opportunity to remind people why places are more than just that, especially for Native Nations. His piece won first place and earned Austin his own place

Author Bio: Juris Doctor (J.D.), James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona; Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration, Eller College of Management, University of Arizona; Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Economic Law & Policy; Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) candidate. Joseph Austin is an attorney licensed to practice in state and tribal courts. He is from Chilchinbeto near Black Mesa and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. He practi