IRes Remembers the Life and Legacy of Dr. Selso Villegas

March 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement RE: IRes Remembers the Life and Legacy of Dr. Selso Villegas

Indigenous Resilience Center 

The University of Arizona

On behalf of the Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes), we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Selso Villegas. It is with profound sadness and deep reflection that we take this time to honor the beautiful and hard work Dr. Villegas gave to this world through his unwavering advocacy and fight for Mother Earth. Selso was a remarkable leader whose vision and dedication made him a champion for the Tohono O’odham Nation and its members, ensuring they had access to water for future generations. 

Over the years, our team has had the privilege to work alongside Selso as he mentored many of our staff and students. Always seen as a wise individual, Selso never hesitated to offer words, thoughts, constructive criticism, or stories to help guide our work. His passionate plea for Mother Earth’s protection continues to resonate with our team and remains a stark reminder of our responsibility to ensure we do everything we can to maintain a delicate relationship with her. 

Beyond his work on the Nation, Dr. Villegas challenged many individuals and other Indigenous peoples in Arizona to safeguard the environment and sacred ecosystems. He understood the importance of relationality and intergenerational connections that Indigenous people have with their land. He was a steadfast advocate for tribal sovereignty and for ensuring our tribes had access to a healthy, safe environment and clean water. 

In 2024, the Indigenous Resilience Center honored Dr. Villegas as one of our recipients of the 2024 Indigenous Resilience Leadership Awards. Additionally, IRes was able to sponsor his induction as a Sequoyah Fellow at the 2024 American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference for his lifelong commitment to broaden Native representation in STEM. 

“Selso was a grandfather to all of us at IRes and was so willing to share his wisdom and insight to guide our work so intently. We had the privilege to honor him on several occasions, but most importantly, we had the ability to ask him simple yet complex questions that only an elder could answer,” shared by Daniel Sestiaga (Quechan), Assistant Director of IRes. “He was the person that you could ask sensitive questions about anything, and he would take the time to listen and give advice. Some of my deepest conversations with him included science, climate, academia, the necessity for environmental protection, tribal politics, life, being a dad, traveling, and overall old stories of home. These are some of the moments that I will cherish the most, but in particular, his call to take action will continue to remind me daily about why I am here. I do extend my condolences to Silvia, his family and the Tohono O’odham Nation for their loss. I give many thanks and much gratitude for allowing me to learn from such a great man.”

“Dr. Selso Villegas was my mentor for nearly 15 years, as he was a mentor who guided many of us in our environmental work. Dr. Villegas was always there for IRes and was gracious with his knowledge and time. His courage and dedication to share his vision for caring for Mother Earth inspired us all. His immense positive impacts on Native America are ripples that extend far and deep and more than we know – from training and mentoring many Native technicians in the UArizona Native Water Technician program for many years to speaking at the Native Voices in Film, One Water Summit, Tribal Environmental Health Forum, the Southwest Climate Adaptation Forum, WRCC water conferences, and countless more. His words at the Speak Easy, Speak Free People’s Hearing in September 2025 will always be treasured. He was a climate warrior who led climate adaptation efforts in tribal communities early on. We will truly miss his presence, wisdom and passion. We have lost a great leader today but our leader did his work in planting seeds in many of us. It is now up to us to pick up the torch and carry the fight for Mother Earth for the future generation, just as he would have wanted us to. My deepest condolences to his family, to Justin Manuel, and to the entire Tohono O’odham Nation, and thank you for sharing Dr. Selso Villegas with us. We honor him and his life for generations to come.” shared Dr. Karletta Chief (Diné), Director of IRes. 

Dr. Villegas led within his role with the Tohono O’odham Nation for 25 years of service. As the Executive Director of the Water Resources Department, he was a role model, leader, and advocate to protect water rights, the environment, and tribal sovereignty. He truly was an example of stewardship, kindness and one who demonstrated an immense amount of humility and commitment to the O’odham Himdag. 

We offer our prayers during this time of mourning, sending prayers of healing as the family and community navigate this new reality. May his family find strength and guidance, and we extend our support to all those who feel the weight of this profound loss. May Dr. Villegas’ journey be peaceful, and may he rest in power.

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“I’m here to protect Mother Earth and my People. I’m here to provide water to the Tohono O’odham, my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. I have the privilege of having great-grandchildren. And for the ones that are coming…”

“People told me to write a book, and I told them, what for? Notoriety is not why I’m here. To do action is why I’m here. And I’ve done that, and I’m doing that. You’ll be surprised at what I do. And I don’t really judge myself on my action, but what I judge myself, is that I’m here, I’m human, and I want to help.” 

-Dr. Selso Villegas Testimony 

The People’s Hearing Tour

September 2026

Tucson, AZ