The Navajo Nation claims its right to water before the Supreme Court of the United States

Industry, climate change and overpopulation are leading the states bathed by the Colorado River to have to reduce the use of their waters.

Those who suffer the most from this situation are the natives of the Navajo Nation, with a high percentage of the population without access to potable water.

This town occupies a territory of more than 70,000 km² between the states of Arizona and Utah and New Mexico, while these three states are involved in a long legal battle for water.

The Navajos denounce that the federal government is not defending their interests in the case. “In this battle, it will determine how much water the indigenous Nation needs to live. The government is saying that they don’t need that much water, although it supposedly has a duty to defend them,” explains Andrea Carmen, director of the International Indian Treaty Council. “The highest court in the United States is hearing the case, although the United States government has its own interest,” she details.

The UN water conference

The United States, for its part, alleges that the 1868 Treaty does not oblige it to supply these territories with water or supplies. While awaiting the ruling of the Supreme Court, which historically is considered unfavorable to Native Americans, the Navajos defend their fight by recalling the inviolability of treaties.

“In the early days of colonization, they were recognized as nations of equal status. They are commitments between two nations and the lands, territories and resources, including water. This is backed by the international field”, deepens Andrea Carmen.

The International Indian Treaty Council defends its position this week at the United Nations conference on water in New York.