The Havasupai tribe lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, in Supai Village. Just north of the village, a hidden aquifer turns into Havasu Falls, a waterfall that cascades into a pool of blue-green water. This water has sustained the Havasupai people for centuries, nourishing their crops, softening the harsh conditions of the desert, and serving as a place of reverence. But now, the Havasupai tribe’s water source is threatened by uranium mining. 

Carletta Tilousi is a member of the Havasupai tribal council’s anti-uranium committee. She explains their 30-year fight against what is now known as the Pinyon Plain Mine. Colleen Kaska, a former Havasupai tribal council member, reads a poem she wrote about the importance of water to her people. 

Take Action: 

On April 11, 2023 the Havasupai and other Southwest tribes announced their effort to designate the Grand Canyon area as a national monument. They are calling on the federal government to designate this area a permanently protected area, and in doing so, protect it from mining and other threats. You can learn how to support this effort by signing the petition here. 

As She Rises is a Wonder Media Network production. Follow Wonder Media Network on Instagram and Twitter.