Summer interns garner community support for 2026 summer plant project efforts
HARDROCK, AZ – On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ (DYN) project team attended the Hardrock Chapter Meeting to present their project resolution, asking for community support to continue conducting plant research in Hardrock. The 2026 project interns shared previous accomplishments from prior years and goals for this summer. The DYN project this summer intends to document plant knowledge and support reclamation efforts while simultaneously working to remain grounded in Diné values. The resolution recognizes the importance of remaining transparent and including the community in the project’s work. The goal of the overall project is to make the results of the DYN research accessible to the community to support future generations and restore native plants that sustain our landscapes.
“I think the community truly appreciates seeing the youth take the lead on projects like the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ project. It’s an opportunity to take what we’ve learned in our journeys so far and give back.“
Kaya Dickson, 2026 Summer Intern, Yé’ii Dine’é Táchii’nii born for Tsé Deeshgíízhíníí
To ensure that the community members understand the purpose of the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ Project, interns must continue building support by communicating our mission and creating a space for community members to be stakeholders in the project’s direction. Steps towards proper reclamation on Black Mesa include gaining traditional Diné knowledge to carry on traditional practices and resources. DYN interns learned the importance of communication by identifying the types of information to consider when encouraging participation and establishing relationships with the community. The Hardrock Chapter not only wants to understand the project, but also why it matters to their families and homelands. This includes how we address flora relatives, identify the environmental impacts, and make the unknown less intimidating to the community.
After the resolution was presented, community members showed immediate interest in the project and shared their input on how to shape the research documentation. They emphasized taking notes of environmental stressors, such as drought impacts, the effects of water extraction from coal mining, and the increased risk of water scarcity. Community members encouraged interns to prioritize learning about the ceremonial significance of the plants, aligning with the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ project’s mission and goals: preserving traditional ecological knowledge for meaningful reclamation. The resolution was approved, with 29 community members voting in favor, no abstentions, and no opposition, confirming the community’s support for the project. This allows DYN Interns to move forward with support in gathering testimonies on the plants within the Hardrock Chapter and establishing an agreement for ethical research and ongoing communication.
“I’m thankful for the feedback we received from the community. It demonstrated and reinforced why this work is meaningful.”
Raeanna Johnson, 2026 Summer Intern, Chishí Dine’é & born for ‘Áshiihí
For more information about the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ Project efforts, email Raeanna@tonizhoniani.org
