A Just Transition for Black Mesa: Nicole Horseherder

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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