LAS VEGAS — While water managers from two countries, 30 tribes, seven states and countless other federal, state and local water managers discussed how to address the Colorado River’s structural deficit this week, Indigenous women were working to grow the next generation of water policy leaders.
Some of those women were honored Wednesday at the annual Tribes and Water Luncheon during the Colorado River Water Users Association meeting. The Indigenous Women's Leadership Network was formed to connect emerging Native women working in environmental and natural resources fields to established women leaders, according to Daryl Vigil, co-chair of the Tribes and Water Initiative. The leadership network is part of the tribal water initiative.
But to the women in the program, it's not just about networking, learning leadership skills or scholarships. It's a way to restore women's rightful place in tribal societies, as leaders, culture holders and bearers, and nurturers...