Guardians of the Grand Canyon is a programmatic work incorporating the Havasupai tribe's traditional Ram Dance. One of several tribes with close ancestral and spiritual ties to the Grand Canyon, the Havasupai's passion for this extraordinary place inspired composer Brent Michael Davids to make them, and their struggle to protect the canyon, the focal point of his piece.

Of the Mohican nation, trained in European "classical" music, Brent was chosen to continue the festival's exploration into what happens when Native- and European-American art meet.