NM Water Resources Research Institute New Mexico State University

NM Water Resources Research Institute

New Mexico State University, May 2016
Photo courtesy of Venaya Yazzie

In May 2016 I was able to share the current issues facing the Navajo people in the San Juan Valley in northwest New Mexico after the tragic Gold King Mine disaster.

The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute and entity of New Mexico State University invited me to speak at their gathering at San Juan College. It was at time that the 'on behalf of water' Dine' Art Exhibition was displayed. I was able to talk on the experiences of Navajos having to deal with the aftermath of the GKM spill. 

I extended this issue further into how the disaster had affected the Dine' artists. It is known that in may societies it is the artists who document the events and experiences of the people- so in this case I wanted to gather the Dine' artists to visually document their plight, all of which works to reflect the community.

I am so very humbled to work with these artists and to be given the opportunity to dialogue about the current environmental issues the Indigenous southwestern people have to deal with.

Spring at the Animas River, New Mexico side

Spring at the Animas River, New Mexico side
Photo courtesy of Venaya Yazzie 2016

I feel I am very blessed to live near the high desert water ways of northwestern New Mexico. I can drive about one hour and be in Colorado, near the source of the Animas river.

The spring time rains have finally arrived in the area of Durango, Aztec, Farmington, Shiprock and beyond that means moisture, but also high waters in the Animas and San Juan Rivers. Since August 2015 when the rivers were contaminated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the river has been 'healing' or working to be filter out its toxins. But, when it rains upstream in Colorado the river waters rise and the sediments that settled to the bottom of the river are stirred up again.

As an area resident in the San Juan Valley in New Mexico I visit the river daily. It is where I trek to exercise my body, clear my mind and also to free my spirit. For many reasons, feel I am unconsciously 'pulled' or drawn to the waters because I my cultural memory.  This memory is ingrained into my desert bones, it is a call from the generations of my Dine' (Navajo) and Pueblo who in the past previously stood and slept near the banks of the waters here.

My family still carries the oral history stories of the ancestors who dwelled and lived in the area here in the past. It was here too that many of the Indigenous people held there ceremonies which included the use of these 'sacred' waters.

In 2016 as the river works to 'heal' itself from the pollution, I think we all heal too. For the event that occurred in August of 2015 was a traumatic experience for many of us.

Bless.

Venaya

My contribution 'on behalf of water'

Venaya Yazzie's photography entry

photo credit: Wendolyne Wnd Omana
Animas Community Listening and Empowerment Project 2016

'on behalf of water' Art exhibition in Durango, CO

Venaya speaking with Durango artist Mary Alice Hearn

photo credit: Wendolyne Wnd Omana

Animas Community Listening and Empowerment Project 2016

Venaya painting at the event

photo credit: Wendolyne Wnd Omana

Animas Community Listening and Empowerment Project 2016

Images of community in Durango, CO at 'on behalf of water'

Venaya Yazzie and Fort Lewis College Professor Rebecca Clausen

photo credit: Wendolyne Wnd Omana

Animas Community Listening and Empowerment Project 2016

photo credit: Wendolyne Wnd Omana

Animas Community Listening and Empowerment Project 2016 

.on behalf of water. art exhibition at durango, colorado

.on behalf of water. art exhibition
photos by Venaya Yazzie 2016

On Sunday, April 10, 2016 the community of Durango, Colorado gathered to be show support for Navajo artists who presented their art at Rotary Park.

Ever since the river spill contamination happened in August 2015, I as an artist knew I had to be vigilant and perpetuate 'healing.'  I had the idea to bring Navajo artists who have been affected directly and (indirectly)via extended family by the Gold King Mind spill.  As a desert artist I feel I am very aware of my natural surroundings. I have also had great reverence for the water ways of this area of the high desert, and so the Animas and San Juan rivers have always been a special part of my history and heart.

Bringing these eight Navajo artists together was a step in bringing about healing from this terrible event that happened to 'Our' river. So, here are some photographs captured at the event.

Bless,

Venaya

,on behalf of water. art exhibition in durango, co

please join us for this upcoming event.
we will gather on behalf of Our beautiful waters of the Animas and San Juan rivers.

The moments between then and now

It's been about five months since I've posted on this blog: Convergence Animas

. . .

The moments between then and now have been time spent trying to understand and realign my life. As a person who lives and dwells in the San Juan Valley - the pollution of the Animas and San Juan Rivers sent many ripples of grief.

I live about 2 miles from the Animas River just at the point before it 'converges' into the San Juan River, so I always make my way to the riverside. Whether it is to walk the dog or to trek on my own the ritual of the river is in am daily life.

When the spill happened I was afraid to walk at the river. I thought that the river mist might contain the pollutants, so I stayed clear of the river for about one month. In all truth that time was terrible for my spirit. I needed the river in my life. To hear the rush of water, to see the flow of water, my soul was satisfied.

Since then I have returned to 'my' river and my life is balanced. My Dine' ancestors in the region of the Navajo Nation called the eastern reservation had once made their homes in the San Juan Valley and lived with the river; we still carry those oral histories with us. The river is the life of this community and it is full of historical narratives that cannot be bought or sold.

This past Sunday I attended a community session concerning the pollution of the Animas and San Juan Rivers. It was hosted by concerned Dine' educators, researchers, college students and the community members of the Upper Fruitland area of the Navajo reservation. The agenda concerned the possible hazards via pollutants in the soil and water in the area - where many  generational Navajo families have concern. The planting season is near so many of these Navajo people are weary of planting for undecided on whether or not they should plant at all. Dr. Karletta Chief in collaboration with the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona are working on research that will test the soil and waters near the San Juan River on the Navajo reservation.

I attended this session as a concerned citizen, but also I approached with a humble spirit, hoping that I might find optimism and possible solutions to the aftermath. What I found was many elder Navajo farmers who wanted this same news. What I heard from their voices was belief in their traditional ways and the faith they all carry in the act of prayer. For many of these people prayer and belief in Creator God are what sustain their lives. I heard them speak stories of the ancestor animal-people whose lessons have something to teach us humans. I hear these elders talk with beautiful expression about the plant-life and how certain plants heal and nourish. What I heard at this session was that we as Dine', as Navajo must continue our farming traditions no matter what has happened. From their expression and prayers they shared I found the hope I needed.


For the past five months I have not been able to be creative, I have not been inspired to make art. Attending this session awakened the muse, and now I am happy to find ways to create and continue the dialogue. Through the Artway I want to help the People.


I know we are all blessed to have the river in our lives, I hope we never take it for granted.


Bless the People,
-Venaya Yazzie-