The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) invites tribal leaders and water resource personnel, water researchers, and students—both tribal and non-tribal affiliated—to participate in a free day-long workshop on Wednesday, May 19 to further understand pressing tribal water issues and help to foster future research collaborations that will help build the capacity of tribes, nations, and pueblos within New Mexico.

The magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic and its harsh impact on Indigenous peoples has been heightened by lack of access to essential services and water quality challenges that exist on many tribal lands. Community-engaged and led research partnerships with state, federal, academic, and non-profit entities are critical to addressing these longstanding challenges.

This workshop is a follow-up to NM WRRI’s 64th Annual New Mexico Water Conference, in which tribal perspectives on water issues throughout the state were at the center of two days of engaging presentations. Through planning and reflection upon the 64th water conference, NM WRRI and the conference planning members recognized a broader need to continue engagement that would address tribal water challenges. Presentations and breakout sessions at the 65th Annual New Mexico Water Conference in 2020 provided a venue for further discussion on these challenges. This workshop is intended to build on these meetings to foster connections with tribes, pueblos, and nations within New Mexico with research partners and resources as a means to increase tribal water capacity.

To help us identify key water resource needs of tribes in New Mexico, as well as the research resources of non-tribal entities, we ask that you fill out one of two short surveys below. By completing the survey and providing follow-up contact information, you will also be entered into a prize giveaway drawing that will take place during the workshop and include NM WRRI stainless steel water bottles as well as a pair of sterling silver dime bead earrings donated by workshop planning members.

Note: These surveys are strictly for the development of this workshop program and will not be used for outside research purposes.