Now - in these times more than ever - 6397 is drawn to the work of the Navajo Water Project, a non-profit, indigenous-led organization registered as an official enterprise on the Navajo Nation. They are dedicated to bringing water to the Navajo people living on reservations, more than 30% of whom lack a tap or toilet in the home. I had travelled to the reservations numerous times over the years and witnessed first-hand the lack of water. The feelings this brought up never left me. The situation was brought home again by a recent news program on the subject and with that I decided that now was the time to do something.
Now - in these times more than ever - 6397 is drawn to the work of the Navajo Water Project, a non-profit, indigenous-led organization registered as an official enterprise on the Navajo Nation. They are dedicated to bringing water to the Navajo people living on reservations, more than 30% of whom lack a tap or toilet in the home.
I had travelled to the reservations numerous times over the years and witnessed first-hand the lack of water. The feelings this brought up never left me. The situation was brought home again by a recent news program on the subject and with that I decided that now was the time to do something.
Emma Robbins is an LA and Navajo Nation-based Diné artist, community organizer, and social justice fighter, working with her community on the Navajo Nation to secure access to safe drinking water. Growing up in one of the areas with the highest concentration of water poverty and uranium contamination, Emma went on to lead the Navajo Water Project, collaborating with communities to help the 30% of those on the reservation without running water. Emma weaves her art into her work to raise awareness about the need for clean water on Native Nations and to bring awareness to issues on reservations like cultural preservation, treaty rights and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic. She has exhibited both in the U.S. and internationally, and whether doing water projects or making art, her favorite part of her work is working alongside fellow Indigenous women to make change.
6397 had asked Emma to design a t shirt
(meaning “Water is Life” in the Diné language) is what she created. Emma also shot all the images for this story.
Emma’s website: emmarobbins.com
All proceeds from the sales of this t-shirt will be donated to the Navajo Water Project. Every t-shirt sold will help bring water to people living on the reservation. Please join us in this effort.
With big love
& 6397
https://www.navajowaterproject.org/
Below is a video produced by the Navajo Water Project: