About Us
Tó Nizhóní Ání, which we translate as "Sacred Water Speaks," is a Diné-led 501(c)3 non-profit organization from the Black Mesa region, aka Dził Yíjiin on the Navajo Nation. Our organization was formed in spirit of the Diné elders who fought to protect Black Mesa. Tó Nizhóní Ání mobilized to protect the water source of Black Mesa from Industry use and waste. We aim to bring power back to our Diné communities impacted by coal. Tó bee iiná. Water is life.
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October 2024
Ghááji' "Half/Separation of Seasons"
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Watershed Restoration Campaign
Tó Nizhóní Ání
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The Black Mesa region (Dził Yíjiin), is an upland mountainous region within the Navajo Nation that encompasses seven Chapters and five watersheds. Located in northeastern Arizona within the Central Agency on the Navajo Nation, the Dził Yíjiin region is the grounds for sustaining remote Diné (Navajo) lifeways, livestock and culture.
Because of this, water availability is of the utmost importance. The Watershed Restoration Campaign led by Tó Nizhóní Ání works with community members, grazing officials, chapter officials and federal agencies to identify areas of need and construct a multi-level approach to repair, restore, and protect the land and aquifers below.
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Hydrogen Informational Summit - Western
Tó Nizhóní Ání
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On Saturday, October 12th, Tó Nizhóní Ání organized our second Hydrogen Informational Summit of 2024, aimed at Western Navajo. The summit occurred at Moenkopi Legacy Inn and Suites in Tuba City, Arizona, and it brought together over 30 people from across the reservation and many more via Facebook Live. Most Diné (Navajo) participants had already heard about the proposed hydrogen pipeline and tuned in for more information/updates. We want to thank Bill Caram with Pipeline Safety Trust for making the trip out from Washington to join us in person. | |
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No Man's Land
Earthworks
Welcome to No Man's Land, a powerful film that takes you to the Navajo Nation, where Indigenous women like Kendra Pinto, Cheyenne Antonio, and Robyn Jackson lead the fight against the harms of oil and gas extraction, exposing pollution, corporate greed, and the fight for accountability.
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As conservatives in Utah called nuclear energy a climate solution, tribal members protested it
The Salt Lake Tribune
At Utah Rep. John Curtis’ third annual Conservative Climate Summit, he asked conservatives to get involved in the climate conversation.
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The Hidden Power of the Arizona Corporation Commission: Why Your Vote Matters
Arizona Capitol Times
There are a lot of really important issues on your ballot this fall. But it is not just the presidential candidates and the ballot propositions that you need to pay attention to. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) also has three out of its five members up for a vote in November.
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Balancing water and energy
Trout Unlimited
The southwestern United States is experiencing a significant increase in demand for both energy and water, driven by population growth and economic development. The demands are particularly evident in Arizona, where water availability is a critical issue with dry years outpacing wet years, ongoing drought and a long-term trend toward aridification.
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The future of coal country: Landscape on the brink of change
Montana Free Press
The rise of renewable energy sources poses life-changing questions for Montana’s coal country. The town of Colstrip has a century’s dependence on coal production. The Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations also share the region’s Powder River Basin coal deposits.
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Mural Monday
Downtown Flagstaff AZ
It’s mural Monday, and we’re excited to showcase a brand-new mural in Downtown Flagstaff! You can find this stunning piece in the alley/parking lot next to Plantae Flagstaff. Painted by local artist Corey Begay - check out his artist statement below!
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Black Mesa Exchange Program | |
From September 16th to the 24th, 2024, the Black Mesa to Catskills Exchange Program began the second half of the exchange program on Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation. Unlike the Catskills visit during the summer, the Black Mesa Exchange was only a week long but filled with something new every day. | | |
Traditional Foods Workshop | |
On Friday, October 11, 2024, our Food Sovereignty team organized their last workshop of the year. The Nihichʼiyą’ (Traditional Foods) Workshop was facilitated by LeAnder Goldtooth of Tuba City, Arizona. During the workshop, LeAnder demonstrated sand-roasted corn, piñons, and cactus seeds. Blue Navajo cake, blue and white corn disk bread, and blue and white loaf bread. He also made sumac pudding, apricot pudding, rabbit with beans and steamed corn, and yucca fruit bread. | |
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Interested in future community workshops?
Subscribe to our workshop email listing to stay informed for 2025. As we wrap up our 2024 season, we thank everyone who has participated in our community workshops thus far. Our Food Sovereignty, Watershed Restoration, and Exchange Program teams enjoyed sharing their knowledge with you all this year.
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TEP Transmission Line ROW Renewal | |
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Part 3: Did you know Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is requesting a transmission line right-of-way (ROW) renewal from the Navajo Nation?
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) became a subsidiary of Fortis in 2014. Fortis is Canada’s largest investor-owned gas and electric distribution utility, with total assets of approximately $17.6 billion as of 2013. Rather than conducting community engagement in this ROW renewal process themselves, Tucson Electric Power has contracted Sonoran Land Resources, LLC to act as its right-of-way (ROW) agent and carry out the community engagement process with the 14 chapters in the transmission line route.
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N-9 Phase 1 Bond Release Meeting | |
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE aka OSM) was on hand for a public meeting at the community’s request. This meeting took place at the Kayenta Chapter House in Kayenta, Arizona regarding Peabody Coal Company’s bond release of 661 acres of an area referred to as N-9 (Phase 1). There were over 15 local community members from Black Mesa that provided comments about their concerns regarding the reclamation process and bond release while also highlighting the need for water reclamation. | | |
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Preserving our Homeland: Water Security for Generations
NAU Native American Cultural Center
Flagstaff, AZ
Learn More
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All Roads Lead to Chaco
Twin Arrows Casino, AZ
Learn More
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Resource & Development Committee Mine Site Tour
Kayenta Mine, AZ
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Environmental causes receive only 2%
of all philanthropic contributions nationwide!
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Tó Nizhóní Ání
"Sacred Water Speaks"
Adrian Herder, Media Organzier
adrian@tonizhoniani.org
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