Sacred Land, Sacred Work

October 25-27, 2024

Shash Dine' EcoRetreat

Cost: $25

Navajo Women Cultivating Collaborative Stewardship on Nihikéyah

This two-day gathering honors the leadership of Navajo women, recognizing our role in driving positive change on the Navajo Nation, as we have always done.

Each session is designed to reflect the cyclical nature of learning, connection, and what it means to care for our land, Nihikeyah.

What to Expect

Agenda

  • 4 PM Please arrive before sunset Shash Dine Eco Resort

    5:30 PM Opening Meal and Circle of Introductions

  • 7 AM Breakfast & Coffee To Go

    8:30 AM Beginnings Session

    9:30 AM Dr. Wendy Greyeyes |Rethinking Nihikeyah Consciousness

    11:30 AM Lunch

    12:30 PM Eunice Tso | Bridging Community Development and Rangeland Stewardship on Dine Bikeyah

    1:30 PM Alexendra Carlisle | Navigating complex land stewardship challenges: A look at unmanaged horses

    3 PM Na'niłkaadii Cafe: Reenvisioning Ranching on the Rez

    5 PM Rest & Reflection

    6 PM Fireside Dinner

  • 7 AM Breakfast with Jinjeeh Coffee

    8 AM Guided Tour of Shash Dine with Bea Meehan

    9 AM Rooted in the Land: An Ephemeral Creative Collective

    Ephemeral means something that lasts for a very brief period of time. It often refers to things that exist only for a fleeting moment before fading away, like a flower that blooms for just one day or an ephemeral stream that flows only during the late summer monsoons. They appear suddenly, bringing life to the land for a short time, and then disappear, leaving a lasting impact on the landscape even after they are gone.

    The idea of ephemeral captures the temporary yet meaningful nature of this gathering, like the fleeting flow of an ephemeral stream, the creativity and connections made during this moment will have lasting effects, even though the collective itself is short-lived.

    10 AM Closing

Tickets & Registration

Event is FULL, registration is CLOSED!!

To be added to the waitlist, please email Erin Thomas: erin.thomas@whiteshell.org

By registering with this ticket, you agree to Women in Ranching's Community Agreements and Photography Waiver

Get to Know Your Facilitators, Speakers, & Presenters

The History of Rooted in the Land & Women In Ranching

The idea for the Rooted in the Land program emerged from our initial conversations with a small group of Indigenous women ranchers. They brought to light their communities’ urgent needs and, most importantly, asked, “What is Women In Ranching going to do about it?”


Acknowledging the historical and systemic inequities faced by Indigenous land stewards, and recognizing that true leadership must come from within the community, the program was realized in 2023 when Erin Thomas of the Navajo Nation and Tiffany St. Goddard of the Blackfeet Nation answered the call as co-leaders.

While Women In Ranching provides support, it is Erin and Tiffany’s leadership that listens to their communities, drives the initiative, and organizes gatherings like this one.

Join the Navajo Women in Ranching WhatsApp Community to stay connected. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This event is specifically for Navajo women involved in ranching, agriculture, and land stewardship. We welcome women 21 years of age and up and strongly encourage elders to join us, share their invaluable wisdom, and contribute to the community’s collective growth.

  • No, day of registration will not be accepted. We encourage you to complete your registration 2 weeks in advance to ensure your spot and help us plan accordingly.

  • Each individual attending the event is required to register separately. Registrations are not transferable or inclusive of additional attendees. If you’re coming with family or friends, please ensure that everyone completes their own registration to secure their spot.

    We are unable to provide accommodations for youth and children under the age of 21 years old due to insurance coverage.

  • All meals, snacks, and beverages throughout the event will be provided.

  • For the event, please wear comfortable clothes suited for fall weather, dress in layers to adapt to changing temperatures, and bring a reusable water bottle and thermos for your beverages. Additionally, if you take any medications, please bring them with you and keep them on hand.

  • No, part of building community is creating boundaries and supporting one another to show up fully. Please find good caretakers for your loved ones so you can arrive and be fully present.

  • We strongly encourage all participants to stay at the Shash Dine Eco Retreat to fully engage in the experience and foster deeper connections throughout the event.

    Shash Dine is a Navajo-owned, large-acreage working sheep ranch and off-grid B&B on the Navajo Nation, situated atop a mesa overlooking Lake Powell and the Colorado River. Staying on-site is an integral part of the event’s design.

    However, if you have mobility issues, disabilities, or other circumstances that make staying at the eco-retreat challenging, we can arrange a hotel room upon request.

  • After the event, a resource guide will be available on our website. This guide will include links to organizations, documents presented during the event, and other valuable resources to continue supporting your journey and connection to the community.

  • While Women in Ranching is not a Native organization, we prioritize multicultural leadership, ensuring our Rooted in the Land program is led and created by Indigenous women for Indigenous women.

    The information collected helps us enhance the gathering, support communities, and meet grant requirements.

    Learn more about the work of Rooted in the Land.

What we mean by “Women”

Let us be clear, if you identify yourself as a woman, no matter the complexity, we welcome you at Women in Ranching.