Enei Begaye facts for kids
Enei Begaye is an important leader from the Diné (Navajo) and Tohono O'odham nations. She works hard as an activist to protect the rights of Indigenous peoples and the environment. Enei is very good at organizing groups of people and speaking up for what she believes in. She is also a writer and a clever planner.
What Enei Begaye Does
Enei is a co-founder and active board member of the Black Mesa Water Coalition. This is a group started by local people. They work to stop the overuse of energy and water on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations.
She also helped start the Native Movement Collective. This is a non-profit group that builds strong communities. It helps create good relationships among all people. The Native Movement also works to make Indigenous communities healthy and able to support themselves for a long time.
Enei has also worked for the Indigenous Environmental Network. Here, she helps Indigenous communities across the United States. Her main goal is to protect their important water sources.
Enei's Vision for the Future
Enei often talks about how Indigenous peoples work to protect the environment. She has said that living in a "green economy" is not new for them. Indigenous peoples have always lived in balance with Mother Earth.
She believes that today, we can combine new, clean technologies like wind and solar energy. We can also use traditional ways like weaving and farming. Enei says that by bringing these together, we can create new chances for everyone. This includes young and old people, and those educated in colleges or on the land.
Awards Enei Has Received
Enei Begaye has been honored for her important work. Some of her awards include:
- Arizona's Native American "Woman of Our Community" Award
- Southwest's "Water Guardian" Award
- Utne Reader's "50 Visionaries Who are Changing Your World" (in 2008)
