Women and Water Convening

We will soon gather for the 2nd Annual Women and Water Convening: A New Story Begins – Stewarding and Healing the Colorado River! Please read on for details and register by November 5 using the form below.

When: November 13, 2024 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and  Thursday, November 14, 2024 – 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (All Times Mountain Standard Time)

Where: SXD Community Building, San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation, 2018 West San Xavier Road, Tucson, AZ 85746

Who: This event is a collaboration between San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Planet Women, The Sonoran Institute, Indigenous Women’s Leadership Network, The Chapter House, & The Nature Conservancy.

Capacity is limited and attendance is invite-only at this time. Attendees are women** of all ages, identities, backgrounds, and experience working on water in the Colorado River Basin, including those who work for Tribal governments, federal, state, and local governments, and nonprofits. **It’s important to define how we are using the word “women.” Our definition includes cisgender women, femme/feminine-identifying, Two Spirit, trans, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals who have historically been excluded from the environmental space.

Why:  The Indigenous communities of the Colorado River basin have an invaluable perspective on water and much wisdom to bring to conservation planning. Tó éí ííná át'é (water is life), according to the Navajo. The Colorado River Indian Reservation was originally occupied by the Mohave peoples, known as “Aha Makhav,” or the Water People.

There are many strong women leaders in the water space who are rising up to protect the future of the Colorado basin, including women from the Southern Ute, Navajo Diné, and the Fort Mojave Indian Tribes. These women are drawing on their deep spiritual and cultural knowledge of the Colorado, as well as their degrees in hydrology, policy and ecology to advocate for long term fixes that serve nature and people.

Many women we’ve spoken to say there is an acute lack of support, mentorship and development opportunities for women and women of color in the water world, especially in rural areas. Many women experience ongoing sexual harassment, bullying, and exclusion by their male colleagues in the sector.

A group of leaders wanted to do something about it – starting with this convening but carrying forward to co-create and build a movement for a diverse group of women working together to steward and heal the Colorado River. The outcomes and agenda have been created based on what Indigenous women and allies in the Colorado River Basin are prioritizing at this time. To see last year’s convening, click here.

Cost: It is free to attend Women and Water Convening. Planet Women will cover the costs of catering and group meals; audio/visual; facilitators and instructors; and ground transport for meetings and activities. Travel and hotel expenses are not covered, but we have stipends available for anyone who needs assistance with these costs; please contact molly@planetwomen.org for info.

Accommodations: We have a block of rooms reserved at Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel starting at $130 + tax / night. It is a short 10-minute drive from San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation and they provide a complimentary airport shuttle for those flying in and out of Tucson International Airport. View the hotel flyer.

To make a reservation click here or call 520-342-3012 and refer to the Women & Water Convening room block. Reservations must be made by October 18th to secure our group rate. Questions? Please reach out to molly@planetwomen.org. 

Desired Outcomes:

• Create a welcoming and uplifting space to learn more and share knowledge.

• Advance fair access to water resources, particularly for women.

• Build a movement of diverse women working together to steward and heal the Colorado River.

• Attendees are inspired and motivated to stay in touch with one another and continue to support one another in sharing power, resources, and knowledge across the Basin.