Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation
Episode 1: Dry Country
Release Date: November 11, 2024
Host/Author: ABC News
Journalist: Charlie Edcity

Introduction: The Water Crisis in Navajo Nation

In the inaugural episode of Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation, journalist Charlie Edcity delves into the profound water deprivation faced by the Navajo people. Despite being the largest indigenous group in the United States, the Navajo Nation lacks guaranteed access to the Colorado River, a critical water source essential for their survival and sovereignty.

Charlie Edcity begins his journey by describing the arid landscape of the Navajo Reservation and the scarcity of rainfall:

“[...] I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen it rain here. Like, really rain. This is dry country.” ([01:46])

Personal Stories: Kyle Lewis and Uncle Tommy Lewis

Kyle Lewis: A Prodigal Son's Return

Kyle Lewis, a 40-year-old retired Marine Corps veteran, embodies the struggle and resilience of the Navajo people. After three tours in Iraq and deployments in Afghanistan and Germany, Kyle returned to his ancestral homeland following the passing of his father. His return marks a significant shift from a life of military service to one focused on sustaining his family's livelihood amidst severe water shortages.

“Sometimes if it's really bad, if we haven’t seen rain and none of our earth dams have filled up and our windmills dried up, we usually have to do two to three times a day.” ([09:09])

Kyle's daily routine involves hauling water from the communal pump located approximately 30 miles away in Winslow, Arizona—an arduous task that underscores the systemic neglect of the Navajo Nation's basic needs.

Uncle Tommy Lewis: The Elders' Burden

At 70 years old, Uncle Tommy Lewis represents the aging generation still burdened by the lack of infrastructure. Despite retiring as a college president, Tommy dedicates his time to hauling water, highlighting the generational impact of water scarcity.

“Sometimes the pump water comes out brown like tea. And if they need water for drinking, they have to buy it bottled.” ([14:08])

Tommy's reminiscence of fetching water by hand emphasizes the severe conditions faced by the community:

“Boy, it was tough bringing it up one bucket full at a time.” ([14:54])

Historical Context: The Long Walk and Treaty of 1868

To understand the present crisis, Edcity takes listeners back to the mid-19th century, detailing the oppressive actions of Brigadier General James H. Carleton and Kit Carson. Their campaigns forced the Navajo into the infamous Long Walk, a brutal forced relocation to Bosque Redondo in New Mexico.

Uncle Tommy Lewis recounts family lore of resistance during the Long Walk:

“She kills the soldier in the first ear cleaning murder I’ve ever heard of.” ([19:53])

The Long Walk resulted in significant loss of life and culture, with the Navajo being confined to a much smaller reservation than initially promised. The 1868 Treaty, intended to offer the Navajo a permanent homeland, failed to secure essential resources like water.

Legal Struggles: Colorado River Compact and Exclusion of Navajo Nation

The Colorado River Compact of 1922, negotiated at Bishop's Lodge, divided the river's water between the Upper and Lower Basins without allocating any specific share to the Navajo Nation. This exclusion has left the tribe without legal access to the river, exacerbating water shortages.

Andrew Curley, a professor and activist, explains the Compact's shortcomings:

“The one thing the treaty did not cover. Water.” ([26:19])

Furthermore, the Compact was based on an overestimated water flow of 18 million acre-feet, while actual measurements revealed only 14.8 million acre-feet—leaving the river over-allocated by 3 million acre-feet.

Impact on the Community: Daily Life and COVID-19 Pandemic

The lack of reliable water infrastructure has profound implications for the Navajo people. Daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing are significantly hindered, forcing reliance on limited and often contaminated water sources.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these vulnerabilities were starkly highlighted. The Navajo Nation faced the highest per capita infection rates in the country, with over 700 deaths and 77 communities severely affected.

Charlie Edcity reflects on the pandemic's impact:

“Many community wells on the reservation were suddenly closed, forcing people to travel farther and spend more time outside of their home during a pandemic just to get water.” ([36:11])

The crisis underscored the critical need for secure water access, as contaminated water sources increased susceptibility to the virus.

Current Efforts: Reclaiming Water Rights and Building Infrastructure

Kyle Lewis and his family are at the forefront of efforts to secure water for the Navajo Nation. Kyle aims to implement earth dams to capture rare rainfall, reducing the need for long-haul water trips and providing more reliable access for his community.

“We don’t rely on the federal government or the tribe. And that’s what makes, I think, the Standing Horse culture. We just kind of take care of ourselves out here and help each other out and do what we got to do to survive.” ([38:40])

Despite these grassroots initiatives, the broader battle for water rights requires legal action. The Navajo Nation has taken their case to the highest court, exemplifying their determination to secure this basic human right.

Future Prospects: Court Battles and Hope for Sovereignty

The episode culminates with the announcement of an upcoming court case, Arizona v. Navajo Nation, which will address the tribe's right to access Colorado River water. This legal battle represents a critical step towards reclaiming sovereignty and ensuring the survival of the Navajo people.

Charlie Edcity emphasizes the significance of this fight:

“This series is not about feeling sorry for us. It’s about justice. It’s about my tribe’s attempt to finally have their voice heard.” ([47:01])

Conclusion: A Fight for Survival and Justice

Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation paints a vivid and harrowing picture of the Navajo Nation’s ongoing struggle for water rights. Through personal narratives, historical context, and legal insights, the episode underscores the resilience of the Navajo people and their unwavering fight for justice and sovereignty.

As the Navajo Nation stands on the brink of a significant legal battle, the hope is that this episode will shed light on their plight and galvanize support for their cause to secure the most essential resource—their lifeblood.

Notable Quotes:

• Charlie Edcity: “This is dry country... If you’re not used to it, you can get nosebleeds and chapped lips.” ([01:46])

• Kyle Lewis: “We don’t rely on the federal government or the tribe. And that’s what makes... We just kind of take care of ourselves out here and help each other out and do what we got to do to survive.” ([38:40])

• Uncle Tommy Lewis: “So tomorrow, I’ll probably have to haul water to Winslow. I’m 70 years old now... I have to do two to three times a day.” ([13:13], [09:09])

• Andrew Curley: “That land status... owned by the federal government.” ([25:57])

• Charlie Edcity: “This series is not about feeling sorry for us. It’s about justice.” ([47:01])

Production Credits:

• Host: Charlie Edcity
• Written by: Madeline Wood
• Produced by: Madeline Wood, Camille Peterson, Kiara Powell, Amira Williams
• Edited by: Gianna Palmer
• Cultural Consultant: Heather Tanana
• Social Producer: Arielle Chester
• Supervising Producer: Susie Liu
• Music and Mixing: Evan Viola
• Special Thanks: Liz Alessi, Lakia Brown
• Director of Podcast Programming: Josh Cohan
• Executive Producer: Laura Mayer
• Acknowledgments: Christine Howard, Arlene Howard

Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation is an original production of ABC Audio, providing an in-depth exploration of the Navajo Nation's enduring fight to reclaim their water rights and sovereignty.