Plant project interns reflect on summer 2026 efforts
FLAGSTAFF, AZ – On Friday, July 31, 2026, the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ (Black Mesa Plant) Project Interns wrapped up their 2026 Summer Internship after a successful season. Tó Nizhóní Ání would like to take a moment to congratulate them on their contributions and impact on our organization’s mission. In May, Tó Nizhóní Ání welcomed Raeanna Johnson, Artrisha Charley and Kaya Dickson to lead the DYN project summer efforts.
“Western science may call me a botanist one day, but my community measures knowledge differently,” said Artrisha Charley from Balakai, AZ. “My deepest learning comes from my Diné culture.”
At the beginning of the internship, interns gained experience in presenting in front of the Hardrock chapter to receive support for their plant project chapter resolution. They overcame the challenge of using Western scientific lens, and worked to transition to a traditional Diné (Navajo) lens. Interns learned how to initiate and navigate interviews, and gained foundational knowledge of native plants through one-on-one and group settings. Interns learned that every discussion is unique, depending on the openness of the environment and what is willing to be shared. As information was gathered, interns used the Diné (Navajo) language skills to interpret cultural information. They strengthened their ability to create, organize, and restructure data collection and systems to capture results.
“The knowledge that has been shared with us is meant to be internalized and to make connections with the beings around you, such as the land, the water, and the fireplace,” said Kaya Dickson from Kaibeto, AZ. “Learning traditional knowledge challenges your intentions and purpose.”
Together, interns managed to examine plant species from the Hardrock collection, drafted and presented a Navajo Nation Chapter resolution, received community support, prepared interview resources, scheduled and conducted 7 interviews, including a community interview, identified plant species, and interpreted the qualitative findings by analyzing correlations of the given Diné (Navajo) names. By the end of the 10 week internship, the DYN interns accomplished the project summer objectives by successfully identifying 124 plant species in Diné (Navajo), including an introduction to their traditional uses and relationships in Diné (Navajo) society.
“I’m truly proud of our team and what we’ve been able to accomplish during our short time with the plant project,” said Raeanna Johnson from Hardrock, AZ. “It has given me joy to work with incredible peers on such a meaningful project, and it has given me hope and anticipation for more young people, like ourselves, to continue this kind of ecological and traditional learning.”
What’s next for the Dził Yijiin Nanise’ Project will be to continue identifying the remaining 26 plant species from Hardrock and lead more interviews to learn about the 109 species collected in the Forest Lake and Black Mesa/Kits’iilí Chapters. Another step closer to the overarching goals of designing a Black Mesa plant identification guide and advocating for native plant communities.
For more information about the Black Mesa Plant Project, visit our landing page. To learn more about our future internship opportunities, please email info@tonizhoniani.org.
