Decades of neglect and legal setbacks have left thousands of families across the Navajo Nation without reliable access to water. But together, we can ensure clean water flows to those in need!
The Navajo people have been battling for water rights for over a century. In 1922, they were excluded from agreements that allocated water in the Southwest. More recently, in 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Navajo claims to local water rights.
Despite these setbacks, Native tribes across the region are uniting to continue the fight for their rightful access to clean water.
While the legal battle unfolds, the reality on the ground is urgent. Thousands of Navajo families live without running water in their homes. St. Bonaventure Indian Mission is stepping in to meet the immediate need, operating a vital water well and a fleet of trucks that provide clean water to approximately 5,000 people across the Eastern Navajo Reservation.
VIDEO: NBC News contributor Alyssa London reports on the Navajo Water Rights Settlement on NBC Now
Navajo Water Rights Settlement on NBC News Now – Alyssa London Contributed w/ Anchor Vicky Nguyen