FEWSS in the News

As part of the Water Institute's WaterTalks lecture series, Dr. Karletta Chief presents, “Training STEM graduate students to work in Indigenous communities to co-solve food, energy and water security challenges."

By Dr. Karletta Chief

Dr. Chief discusses the vision, research, and partnerships of the Indige-FEWSS program.

Water – one of the most precious resources on our planet, is taken for granted so quickly by so many. This is the story of two passionate women, establishing a powerful partnership to collaborate resources and bring safe water to thousands of people in the Navajo Nation daily, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also happen to be sisters.

Nikki Tullley wins the WRRC's 2020 Photo Contest in the "People and Their Animals" category.

Inspired by her family and traditional upbringing on the Navajo Nation, PhD student Nikki Tulley dedicates her life to restoring balance and tackling water insecurities among Indigenous communities by studying to be one of only a few female Navajo hydrologists in the world.

Dr. Chief received the AGU Ambassador Award and the fellowship for pioneering engagement and partnership with Indigenous communities, leading to transformative outcomes for Native American tribes and institutions.

The relationships developed through the Indige-FEWSS partnership with Diné College and Navajo communities has allowed UArizona faculty and students to provide expert advice, technology and donations to support Navajo resiliece during the pandemic.

Abolhassan Mohammadi Fathabad is a PhD candidate in systems and industrial engineering. He was awarded funding from Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) to develop inventions with the goal of bringing them to the public as impactful products to benefit society.

Dr. Vasiliki Karanikola and Dr. Karletta Chief were awarded funding from The Haury Program. The Haury Program has also provided funding to PhD candidate, Nikki Tulley, to assist Dr. Chief to address water supply, access, and contamination issues on the Navajo Nation under the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indige-FEWSS team contributed their efforts with the Navajo Safe Water Project to assist off-grid Navajo families with water needs for hand washing and quality drinking water.