Voices From Black Mesa

Launched in January 2021, Voices From Black Mesa features six to seven distinct narratives from each Navajo chapter community on Black Mesa (Dził Yíjiin). This media project was created to showcase the stories, resiliency, and beauty of Black Mesa by providing our audience with an inside look at the places, the people, and life in Black Mesa. These narratives originate from the following Navajo chapter communities:

  • Piñon (Bitxa' Dah Yisk'id/Beʼekʼid Baa Ahoodzání)
  • Whipporrwill (Hooshdódii Tó)
  • Low Mountain (Jeeh Deez' á)
  • Blue Gap (Táchii'/Bis Dootlí'ízhí Nídeeshgiizh)
  • Hardrock (Tsé Dildǫ́’ii)
  • Forest Lake (Tsiiyi' Be'ak'id)
  • Black Mesa (Kits'iilí)

For more information on Voices From Black Mesa, contact our media organizer at adrian@tonizhoniani.org

2021 Voices From Black Mesa

Lorraine Herder, Chíshí Dine’é, is from the community of Hardrock located on Black Mesa in northeastern Arizona...

DiAndre Francis, Ta’neezahnii, is from Hooshdódii Tó, located on Black Mesa in northeastern Arizona...

Mary Ann Sherlock, Tódích’íi’nii, is from Tsiiyi’ Be’ek’id, Arizona. Before coal mining, Tsiiyi’ Be’ek’id was known for its abundance of seeps...

Olin Begay, Tsénjíkiní, is from Tsé Ch’il Yaató, located within the Low Mountain chapter community on Black Mesa...

Noel Adrian, Dził T'aaí, is from Ch'il Hooshahii, located within the Piñon Chapter community on Black Mesa...

2022 Voices From Black Mesa

Earl Tulley, Ta’neeszahnii, is from Tó Áden Dah’aztą́h, located within the Blue Gap/Táchii’ Chapter community on Black Mesa...

Lawrence Gilmore, Tł’ízíłání, is from Bitxa’ Dah Yisk’id, located on Black Mesa in northeastern Arizona...

2023 Voices From Black Mesa

Herb Yazzie, Tábąąhá, is from an area called Tł’ó Yaagai (White Grass), located in what is now part of the more than 60,000 acres of the Peabody Coal Lease area on Black Mesa...

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