"Women and Water Convening" Highlights Indigenous Voices

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Planet Women’s 3^rd Annual Women and Water Convening was held November 5–7, 2025, in Tuba City, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. This event brought together about 100 Indigenous women and allies committed to protecting and stewarding water across the Southwest. The convening provided a supportive and collaborative space for Indigenous women working in water to share experiences and strengthen partnerships. The co-chairs for this year’s event were Crystal Tulley-Cordova, Principal Hydrologist at the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources; Emma Robbins, CEO of Planet Women and Founder of The Chapter House; and Justine Apodaca, Proposal Coordinator of Weston Solutions. Multiple representatives from the U of A participated in the event, including the WRRC, Haury Program, Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes), Udall Center, and several recent graduates now working with water-focused organizations. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal served as a member of the host committee.

The convening featured presentations by female Tribal leaders, researchers, and representatives from non-governmental organizations, as well as community voices sharing traditional Diné (Navajo) cultural teachings on water and being in the world. Karletta Chief, Director of IRes, presented on access to clean water on the Navajo Nation during the COVID 19 pandemic. Speaking about the importance of the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement (NAIWRSA) were Tulley-Cordova, along with the Honorable Carlene Yellowhair, President of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe; the Honorable Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the Navajo Nation; and Erika Pirotte, Assistant Attorney General for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. “Their stories underscored the paramount need for the Tribal water settlement [NAIWRSA] to be approved by Congress to provide water allocations, land, and water infrastructure dollars,” said Nancy Petersen, Haury Program’s Associate Director after the event. Nina Sajovec, Haury Program’s Grants, Outreach and Communications Manager, added that “Water insecurity is a critical challenge on the Navajo Nation, where approximately one-third of households lack running water and rely on hauling water and unregulated water for basic needs.” Sajovec continued, saying “This system results in health risks, time lost, reduced income, and increased educational barriers, while also increasing the economic burden on families and individuals. Tribal sovereignty and resilience as well as deep traditional environmental knowledge and cultural practices remain central to addressing these challenges, as do collaborations, respectful partnerships, and philanthropy. This is why the University of Arizona Haury Program is proud to be a sponsor of this event.” 

The three-day program included an evening with Indigenous comedian Jana Schmieding, who reminded participants to cultivate joy and laughter. On the last day, participants visited the Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park.

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• Planet Women
• U of A Haury Program