EDUCATOR & ADVOCATE

Chyenne is a Navajo educator, river guide, and advocate for social and environmental justice in the desert southwest. Growing up and spending most of her life at the River’s edge, Chyenne has a finely tuned understanding of and deep connection to the Colorado River.

FARMER

Ronnie, is a third generation farmer who has been the owner and operator of Leimgruber Farms for over 25 years. He and his neighboring farmers in California’s Imperial Valley are an integral part of the national food supply and food security. Because of the Imperial Valley’s abundant water rights, they are of the target of public frustrations in water conversations. And because of this, Ronnie’s family farm is an integral part of finding a path forward.

INDIGENOUS WATER LEADER

A trailblazer in every sense, she made history as the first Native American to serve as Chair of the Colorado Water Conservation Board where she champions equitable water policies. She served three terms on the Southern Ute Tribal Council as Vice Chairman and Treasurer. She’s fought to protect Tribal resources and sovereignty from the ground up.

CATTLE RANCHER

Eric is a second generation cattle rancher whose livelihood depends on his ability to adapt to ongoing drought conditions. Quietly challenging the status quo of his rural community, Eric is developing ways to survive in an uncertain future near the headwaters of the Colorado River, so he can keep his father’s ranch alive.

FARMER AND ENTREPRENEUR

Nolan is a farmer on the Navajo Nation working to bring clean, healthy, heritage food options to his family and community. He has sacrificed and invested a tremendous amount, but his dream depends on a flowing river and establishing water rights he is entitled to but only has access to on paper.

RETIRED BUSINESSMEN

Dale and Derrill have lived in St George, UT since there were only two doctors in town. Derrill worked as a developer during is career, and Dale as a heating and air conditioning business owner. They live in the desert, enjoy golfing and have to weigh how far into the future their own way of living can last for their great grandchildren.

BUSINESS WOMAN

Living in unincorporated Scottsdale, Chantel has first hand experience of having invested in her own American Dream, a house in the desert region where she grew up and aims to grow her own family, but that has been cut off from water as scarcity and water speculation take control of the resource in her community.