Born into these lands and waters
Colleen Cooley grew up in Shą́ą́ʼtóhí, a small community located on the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona. She guides on the San Juan and Green Rivers and advocates for the landscapes, waters, and cultures that surround her. Here, we speak with her about her experience as a Diné river guide, the importance of water, and what she wants to see moving forward for Native and Indigenous guides and Native communities in the region
Sponsored by the Colorado Plateau Foundation
Meet Colleen Cooley
Colleen Cooley, Diné, Desert girl at heart
Colleen grew up wandering the washes, mesas, and sandstones in Shą́ą́ʼtóhí, a small community located on the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona. Her curious mind and innate connection to the lands and waters led her to earning a Master’s Degree in Climate Science & Solutions from Northern Arizona University in 2012. Colleen is passionate about the protection and conservation of the diverse landscapes, cultures, and waters that she is surrounded by because it is part of who she is and where she comes from. She is an advocate and raft guide on the San Juan River, a community organizer, a skilled facilitator, an amateur photographer, and a volunteer for Navajo YES, the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival and Colorado River Days.
Photo by: Amy Martin
Relevant Links
Personal website: https://colleencooley.com/
Beyond the Pandemic panel series: https://bit.ly/2BjtwgX
Casey Camp-Horinek (We are Nature Protecting Itself, You and I): https://twitter.com/IENearth/status/1458009025543647234
NavajoYES: http://navajoyes.org/
Biden proposes 20-year drilling ban around Chaco Canyon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/11/15/chaco-canyon-drilling-biden/
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This episode is sponsored by the Colorado Plateau Foundation
