Who are we?
Water Peak Partners is an Arizona nonprofit organization that has filed with the IRS its intention to do business as a 501(c)4 Social Welfare Organization. WPP was founded by Joseph Bia, Jr., who is a member of the Navajo Nation and is President and CEO of the Organization. Joe knows what it’s like not to have water in his home because that is how he grew up in Many Farms. He has also spent years outside of the Navajo Nation, mostly in the Arctic Circle of Alaska, getting an education, working, and learning more about the plight of indigenous people. He has returned to the Navajo Nation to make sure that his children will grow up with not only the values of his people but also with the human right to clean water. Through the years he has made friends with people of many cultures throughout the United States. The Board of Trustees of WPP is made up of five members of the Navajo Nation and five non-natives. They all see each other as one community with special skills to help bring about the goals of WPP, which include:
Advocate for water rights for the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas. Joe and his Vice President, Zach Stevenson, have been working together for the last year creating partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, individuals, and Tribal and local governments with a view towards building a strong foundation of people working together for the same cause. We seek to raise awareness by taking surveys of individuals in each Chapter who are suffering from lack of clean water and sending that information to the proper authorities, making sure they take action to correct the issues. It is important that you know that despite the many let downs you have experienced by other organizations, WPP will be doing its best to help you obtain water rights and clean water.
Build, repair and maintain the water infrastructure. We need to acquire the funds allotted by the federal government for the building of infrastructure necessary to get the water to each community. We will then make sure that the workforce is made up of the Navajo people. We will also make sure that those who are seeking work are properly trained in a particular skill. Everyone knows that the infrastructure already in place needs repair and maintenance. Wells need to be cleaned up. Water pipes need to be replaced. We need your help in assessing the needs of your Chapter community.
Children are our future but they need to be educated about the future we are leaving them. They need to know about the Navajo Traditions that hold water as sacred. They need to know their language, about their ancestors and how they maintained a strong, beautiful and sustainable Nation by learning the Traditions of taking care of the land, including water, and coming together as one people in ceremonies. They need to feel that they are valuable and will make a difference in the future of the Navajo Nation by learning about the resources available to them and their community. We have four educators as part of our Board of Trustees who are highly accredited individuals and who are willing to teach not only the children but anyone who wants and needs to know about their heritage and about their future.