Corporations are great at spin. A company with a name like “Nature and People First” sounds promising for the people and the environment, especially in a community that has fought long and hard against toxic industries poisoning their land and waters.
But leaders like Nicole Horseherder can always spot the truth. The Executive Director of Tó Nizhóní Ání of the Black Mesa region in Arizona, Nicole has years of experience battling coal, oil, and gas companies, including a long, public battle against Peabody Western Coal Company.
So when Nature and People First Arizona came along with familiar promises of jobs and environmental solutions, Nicole and her comrades stayed vigilant. The team at Tó Nizhóní Ání, whose mission is to protect the water of Black Mesa from industry use and waste, recognized how the company’s proposal of a pumped storage hydropower project would further threaten the community’s water sources.
Corporations are great at spin. A company with a name like “Nature and People First” sounds promising for the people and the environment, especially in a community that has fought long and hard against toxic industries poisoning their land and waters.
But leaders like Nicole Horseherder can always spot the truth. The Executive Director of Tó Nizhóní Ání of the Black Mesa region in Arizona, Nicole has years of experience battling coal, oil, and gas companies, including a long, public battle against Peabody Western Coal Company.
So when Nature and People First Arizona came along with familiar promises of jobs and environmental solutions, Nicole and her comrades stayed vigilant. The team at Tó Nizhóní Ání, whose mission is to protect the water of Black Mesa from industry use and waste, recognized how the company’s proposal of a pumped storage hydropower project would further threaten the community’s water sources.
In July of 2023, Tó Nizhóní Ání put forth 18 resolutions opposing the company’s proposal. Along with the Navajo Nation’s opposition, this led the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny the project’s permit. Another smaller proposal from the same developer was filed in 2025. Again, Tó Nizhóní Ání’ and the Navajo community intervened and they are awaiting the Commission’s decision.
The community’s opposition was rooted in history: Black Mesa’s land, groundwater, and springs were damaged for decades by coal mining carried out by Peabody Western Coal Company. Restoration is the priority, and any further industrial use (including of the groundwater) is a threat to the health of the land.
In July of 2023, Tó Nizhóní Ání put forth 18 resolutions opposing the company’s proposal. Along with the Navajo Nation’s opposition, this led the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny the project’s permit. Another smaller proposal from the same developer was filed in 2025. Again, Tó Nizhóní Ání’ and the Navajo community intervened and they are awaiting the Commission’s decision.
The community’s opposition was rooted in history: Black Mesa’s land, groundwater, and springs were damaged for decades by coal mining carried out by Peabody Western Coal Company. Restoration is the priority, and any further industrial use (including of the groundwater) is a threat to the health of the land.
The memory of the ways that mining harmed the land lingers for everyone.
Peabody operated two mines on Black Mesa from the 1970’s until 2019 when it closed due to environmental and economic reasons. Now, Peabody is engaging in efforts to reclaim the land, though many community members are skeptical.
Nicole, the Tó Nizhóní Ání team, and many other community groups are following the company at every step to ensure they are held accountable, and to protect the Black Mesa aquifer.
Community pressure has resulted in some victories. One example is how the recovery work was initially focused on seeding a single version of grass brought in from the midwest, reportedly for cattle grazing.
Members of Tó Nizhóní Ání brought this issue to the public’s attention. Instead of solely focusing on cattle, members asked critical questions, raising the importance of grazing for sheep and horses, wild life, bird species, small animals, and insects.
Although they are seeing a little improvement, Nicole says the work does not go far enough: “They should be bringing back the water or finding a way to compensate the Nation for the loss of water. That is something that has to be addressed.”
Clearly, the long road of monitoring and holding industry to account has to continue. However, the team longs to follow through on their future vision for Black Mesa.
The ultimate goal: shift their energies from fighting against toxic industries towards visioning and building sustainability beyond the pollution, extraction, and exploitation of their ecosystems.
Nicole lights up when she talks about the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ plant identification work: “As the plant project moves on, a lot of the utilitarian uses, the food uses, the medicinal uses, ceremonial uses of the plants have become obscured, but we’re bringing that knowledge back to the forefront.”
The ultimate goal: shift their energies from fighting against toxic industries towards visioning and building sustainability beyond the pollution, extraction, and exploitation of their ecosystems.
Nicole lights up when she talks about the Dził Yíjiin Nanise’ plant identification work: “As the plant project moves on, a lot of the utilitarian uses, the food uses, the medicinal uses, ceremonial uses of the plants have become obscured, but we’re bringing that knowledge back to the forefront.”
The Native Plant Identification Workshop was initially facilitated in partnership with Diné botanist Arnold Clifford. In one day, participants collected and identified over 50 specimens. Nicole’s excitement is contagious as she shares the importance of recovering and retaining Indigenous insights. Planning for the future of the land, which includes the work of plant recovery, breathes renewed life into the work.
In the Navajo Nation coal lease with Peabody Western Coal Company, the language states:
“The land will be returned in as good as condition as it was received.”
In deep thought, Nicole poses a rhetorical question: “who is going to make sure that happens?”
“It’s the people. We are going to make sure we get close,” she answers her own question defiantly.
By: Dara Cooper, Senior Advisor, National Black Food and Justice Alliance
Learn more about Tó Nizhóní Ání.
The Native Plant Identification Workshop was initially facilitated in partnership with Diné botanist Arnold Clifford. In one day, participants collected and identified over 50 specimens. Nicole’s excitement is contagious as she shares the importance of recovering and retaining Indigenous insights. Planning for the future of the land, which includes the work of plant recovery, breathes renewed life into the work.
In the Navajo Nation coal lease with Peabody Western Coal Company, the language states:
“The land will be returned in as good as condition as it was received.”
In deep thought, Nicole poses a rhetorical question: “who is going to make sure that happens?”
“It’s the people. We are going to make sure we get close,” she answers her own question defiantly.
By: Dara Cooper, Senior Advisor, National Black Food and Justice Alliance
Learn more about Tó Nizhóní Ání.
