Protecting Diné Lifeways on Black Mesa
Tó Nizhóní Ání, which translates as “Sacred Water Speaks,” is a Diné-led nonprofit organization established in 2001. Oiginating from the Big Mountain community on Dził Yíjiin (the Black Mesa region), our organization was formed in the spirit of the Diné elders who fought to protect Black Mesa. In 2005, we led efforts to end the industrial use of the Navajo Aquifer—Black Mesa's only source of potable water—from Peabody Coal Company. Today, our organization continues to protect water, while leading community transition away from fossil fuel. We're working to bringing power back to our Diné communities impacted by coal
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Where is Black Mesa?
The Black Mesa region, also known as Dził Yíjiin in the Diné (Navajo) language, is located in northeastern Arizona within the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation. The Black Mesa region is home to seven Navajo Chapter communities and spans 5,400 square miles. Learn more about the region with our Black Mesa Cartography Map.
The Heinz Awards | Nicole Horseherder
Energy justice leader Nicole Horseherder, Diné, of the Navajo Nation, received the Heinz Award for the Environment for her work as co-founder of the nonprofit Tó Nizhóní Ání (“Sacred Water Speaks”). She works to protect the aquifers, streams and land of Black Mesa, Arizona; bring power to Indigenous communities suffering the environmental effects of coal extraction and industry waste; and position the region to transition to and produce renewable energy.