WE are #GenerationRestoration: Regenerating Hope for the Hopi Tribe

The annual observance of World Environment Day was this week. It reminds us that we are #GenerationRestoration, united in the mission to reconnect with nature. This year's focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience highlights our profound opportunity to transform our land for the better.

Imagine a world where barren lands blossom again, where communities thrive in harmony with nature, and where our actions today secure a sustainable future for generations to come. We stand at a pivotal moment where our choices can repair ecosystems, rebalance natural cycles, and reconnect us with the earth that sustains us.?

The Hopi Tribe, part of the Navajo Nation, exemplifies this sacred bond with nature. “Hopi” is derived from Hopituh Shinumu, meaning “peaceful people.” Their key belief is that we are in balance with nature—taking only what we need to survive in respect of earth’s life-giving resources. Despite facing severe challenges due to the exploitation of their water resources by nearby mining operations, their resilience and wisdom remain a beacon of hope to indigenous cultures globally who have been pushed aside to access resources from their lands.

For decades, the Peabody coal mine in Arizona consumed approximately 3 million gallons from the Hopi’s regional water source, the N-Aquifer, daily. This disrupted the lifeline of the Navajo residents and the resources needed to survive. Today, the Navajo Nation's plea is for the restoration of their precious water sources. Their call for meaningful consultation and responsible reclamation resonates deeply with our increasing awareness of global environmental imbalance.

Howard Dennis stands on one of the terraces around Toreva Spring on the side of Second Mesa on the Hopi Reservation as he shared that the water level in the primary spring has declined dramatically during his lifetime. Despite crippling conditions outside of their control, the Tribe remains optimistic, it is their way. (David Wallace/The Republic)

This World Environment Day, let us draw inspiration from the Hopi Tribe and commit to restoring what has been damaged—seeking balance with nature. We have the power to enact positive change, to repair the scars of the past, and to ensure that future generations inherit a world in balance. Our land, our future, our shared responsibility. Together, we are #GenerationRestoration. More information here: https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/tues1_03hopi-2.pdf