In the 1960’s, Peabody Energy began operating coal mines, and then later coal power generating stations on both the Navajo and Hopi Reservation land. While the coal operations generated jobs and tax revenue for the Navajo and Hopi people, the environmental impact has been astounding.
In this episode we speak with Nicole Horseherder, a Diné woman who lives on the Black Mesa Plateau in Navajo Nation. She is the Executive Director of the group Tó Nizhóní Ání, a Diné term translating to “Sacred Water Speaks". For the past twenty years, the group has served as the eyes, ears, and voice of the Diné people in the region…striving to preserve and protect the water, people, and advocate for the responsible interaction with natural resources of the region.
Nicole speaks with us about the complex dynamics between the coal industry, the water, and the people of Black Mesa. She speaks with us about her organization’s work and the importance of a new way forward that empowers Dine` people to determine the fate of their energy, economies, and stewardship of the water.
Links:
Tó Nizhóní Ání website: http://tonizhoniani.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonizhoniani
Navajo Equitable Economy, a path for just economies: https://www.NavajoEquitableEconomy.org
Native Renewables: https://www.nativerenewables.org/
Navajo Yes: http://navajoyes.org/
Diné Community Advocacy Alliance: https://dineadvocacy.org/
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre tracker tool for the renewable energy industry: https://trackers.business-humanrights.org/transition-minerals/
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#BlackMesa #JustTransition #Waterislife #coal #renewableenergy #climate #Indigenous #Diné #Navajo #Hopi #Arizona #jobs #Native #Empowerment
The Upper Yellowstone River: Part 2 - Recreation and a Call for Community Reconnection
The Upper Yellowstone River: Part 1 - The Floods & Listening to the River
Safe Passages for Wildlife and People
The Montana Legislative Session from an Indigenous Perspective
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Generations Indigenous Ways: Helene Gaddie (Life in the Land series)
Messengers for Health in Crow Nation: Alma McCormick (Life in the Land series)
Daniel Kemmis: The Politics of Place (Life in the Land series)
Creating Community and Representation in Outdoor Recreation
Reframing Rural: Sarah Vogel, the Farmer’s Lawyer
Elk and the Devil’s Kitchen Management Team (Life in the Land series)
Gravel Pits and the Public Losing Their Voice
Old Salt Co-Op: Strengthening community and land stewardship through food (Life in the Land series)
Life in the Land: MT Fish, Wildlife, & Parks’ Mike Ruggles; agency partnerships in Central Montana
Life in the Land: Rancher & Community-led Conservation; Bud and Sheila Walsh
Life in the Land: Blackfeet Nation, Joe and Kathy Kipp, Stewardship as a rancher and community advocacy
Life in the Land: Bill Milton (Rancher), Collaborative Work & Resiliency, Central Montana Plains
Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley: Pedro Marques, Big Hole Watershed Committee
Life in the Land: Laura Nowlin; Rancher, Winnett ACES, Musselshell Watershed Coalition
Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley, USFWS Partners Program, Jim Magee
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