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Black Mesa Water Coalition (BMWC), under the leadership of Roberto Nutlouis, is a grassrootsÌýorganization that works to bring about social and environmental justice, in the processÌýof creating a justÌýtransition. Through the following programs, INVST works withÌýthe BMWC in order toÌýlearnÌýhow to incorporate compassionate action into the realms of socialÌýand environmental justice. Below are the programs we participate in together:

Sustainability Spring Break: Students from Boulder engaged inÌýexperiential education with Black MesaÌýWater Coalition. On this visit, students learned aboutÌýNavajo culture, dry land subsistence farming andÌýpermaculture, preparing fields for planting andÌýthe harvesting of food, and reclaiming the ways we liveÌýon the land and regard the air and water thatÌýsustains us with honor and respect.

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Watershed restoration is a keyÌýcomponent to the work that INVSTÌýdoes with Black Mesa WaterÌýCoalition. Linked below is aÌýreport created to assist BMWC inÌýlearning how to engage inÌýcommunity-based restorationÌýprojects. INVST presents this reportÌýto Black MesaÌýWater Coalition, to support them in fulfilling their mission. It includesÌýgeneral information andÌýexamples ofÌýwatershed restoration,Ìýinformation about effectiveÌýcommunity engagement inÌýrestoration projects,Ìýinformation about water lawsÌýon reservations, and helpfulÌýcontacts to reach out to, both at CU and around the UnitedÌýStates.

Climate Justice Summer:ÌýAnother program that INVST and the BMWC work on together is, INVST students explore energy issues during their annual visit to the DinéÌý(or Navajo) Nation in Northeastern Arizona. While partnering with Black Mesa WaterÌýCoalition, INVSTÌýstudents learn about the social and environmental impacts of the coalÌýmining industry on indigenous people and places. Below, in August 2017, the K1D5 that Care cohort of INVST students appearÌýwith Roberto and the Black Mesa Water Coalition Fellows after building ditches to helpÌýwith more effective water flow.

Wool Buying Project: Black Mesa Water Coalition has invited INVST to research waysÌýto start worker-owned cooperatives, and then present that information to them, in orderÌýto help turn BMWC’s women’s wool buying project into a worker-owned cooperativeÌýbusiness.

Outreach and Engagement: Through our with Black Mesa Water Coalition, CU BoulderÌýstudents are taught how to engage with communities in a mutually beneficial, reciprocal Ìýrelationship. INVST’s goals are to strengthen our collaboration with BMWC, helpÌýsupport Black Mesa’s economic development and autonomy, help maximize revenueÌýfrom wool sales, help additional people in Piñon find value in BMWC’s programs, andÌýdeepen relationships between Black Mesa and CU Boulder.

If you have questions about this or other partnerships between INVST and community-based organizations, please call 303 492 8045 or e-mail sabrina.sideris@colorado.edu.

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