Tó Nizhóní Ání Summer 2025 Interns and Volunteers
As we close out the summer and transition into the fall season, Tó Nizhóní Ání (TNA) would like to take this time to thank our Summer 2025 Interns and Volunteers who spent their summer with us. Whether that’s in-person in the office and on the watershed or online, we appreciate their time spent with our organization. This year, we had a total of 4 interns/volunteers who helped with media, reclamation advocacy, watershed, business office, and administrative office operations.
Raeanna Johnson, Chíshí Dine’é, is from the Hardrock Chapter community on Black Mesa. At 24 years old, Raeanna is a growing community organizer. She began her journey at Tó Nizhóní Ání as a volunteer during her childhood and led her first project in 2023 with the Dził Yijiin Naanise’ Project. Additionally, she co-coordinated the Black Mesa to Catskills Exchange Program, which took place in 2024. Currently, Raeanna is gaining hands-on experience in the administrative field with the TNA Administration & Business Office while pursuing Western education.
Raeanna is passionate about bringing people together and creating spaces for learning, knowledge exchange, storytelling, and fostering connections. She seeks to gain deeper insights into project building, leadership, and budgetary management, as well as to explore various aspects of community organizing, including fieldwork, behind-the-scenes efforts, legislative advocacy, and public engagement.
When she isn’t working, Raeanna enjoys visiting her family, helping take care of livestock, or climbing on some rocks on the rez. She loves traveling with her partner and her dog, as well as exploring thrift stores and searching for the best street taco joint.
“TNA has taught me that there is not just one way to organize and advocate within the community. I am grateful for the opportunities to explore these different approaches and to understand the importance of direct action, legislative advocacy, communication with leadership, media engagement, and the development of grassroots projects and programs.” – Raeanna Johnson
Maudicel Chavez, Táchii’nii, is a rising senior at Odessa Career & Technical Early College High School (OCTECHS) in Odessa, Texas. She is the founder of her school’s Human Rights Club, affiliated with Amnesty International USA, where she leads campaigns on social justice, Indigenous rights, and immigrant issues. Committed to empowering youth to take meaningful action, Maudicel works towards a more informed and inclusive community grounded in the principles of human rights. Maudicel is one of the great granddaughters of the late Katherine Smith of Big Mountain. Durng Maudicel’s time volunteering with our organization she was able to get the process started in creating a fact sheet regarding the water withdrawals for the N-Aquifer.
“TNA taught me to honor where I come from, dream without limits, and stand boldly for the future.” -Maudicel Chavez
Makaius Marks, Tó’ Áhaní, from Tonalea and Bitter Springs, is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in Applied Indigenous Studies and a minor in Ethnic Studies. His academic background, combined with his upbringing in a community committed to advocacy, his father’s work with the Black Mesa Water Coalition further fueled his passion for community organizing has shaped his commitment to Indigenous advocacy. He currently serves on the boards of Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff, Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff, and 4th World Foundations. During Makaius’ time interning with Tó Nizhóní Ání he helped with the Watershed Restoration efforts where he spent equal time in the office and out in the field with the rest of the watershed crew members.
“At TNA, I’ve been developing workforce and youth guidelines that honor our traditional knowledge while building practical skills for watershed restoration. This work is not just a passion, but a necessity, as it connects my education in Indigenous Studies with the urgent need to protect our water and train the next generation of land stewards.” –Makaius Marks
Titus Bert, Kin Yaa’áanii, is from the community of Piñon/Black Spotted Mountain on Black Mesa. Titus is a current student at Northern Arizona University, majoring in Visual Communication with an emphasis in Graphic Design. Titus envisions using his knowledge of Graphic Design to help with Tribal Environmental Issues that impact Tribal Lands. During Titus’ time interning with Tó Nizhóní Ání he helped with the media aspect of the organization, lended a hand with other on the ground campaigns with TNA and took on a communication leadership role for a month.
“The opportunity to work as an Intern with TNA (Tó Nizhóní Ání) helped me develop my skill sets to further my goal.” – Titus Bert
On behalf of the Tó Nizhóní Ání staff and organizing team, we would like to thank our Summer 2025 Volunteers and Interns for spending their summer with our organization. To learn more about our Summer 2026 internship opportunities, please email us at info@tonizhoniani.org
