Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

June 19, 2025

Navajo Council Hearing on Revitalizing Coal Industry at Nenahnezad Chapter


The hearing was live at Nenahnezad Chapter this morning, June 19, 2025. Now available on YouTube


Previous articles:

Tó Nizhóní Ání: Coal Mining Devastated the Water and Brought Black Lung Disease -- Forest Lake Hearing on Coal

Ed Silverhatband from the community of Forest Lake shares his experience working as a coal miner and the long-term impacts it has had on his health, such as black lung, which has required two lung transplants. 

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Navajos say 'No' to new coal at Forest Lake Chapter on Black Mesa

The Monster has returned, and it is even more grotesque than the one before. Dine' remember forced relocation, the loss of water and medicine plants, and the loss of loved ones. Navajos say 'No!; to Trump and Navajo President Nygren's push for coal.

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, June 1, 2025

FOREST LAKE, Navajo Nation -- Dine' told the Navajo Nation Council that the coal industry has cost them their aquifer water, and their health. Combined with uranium mining, they have lost their loved ones to widespread cancer and black lung disease killing their people. Dine' remembered forced relocation and the stripping of the forest by Peabody Coal, during a hearing on Friday.

The Navajo Council was told to stand up for future generations, or step aside.

"The Navajo Nation has provided coal to the big cities for decades, while the people of Black Mesa have nothing to show for it," Dine' from Black Mesa told the Council.

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25th Navajo Nation Council hosts second public hearing regarding federal coal revitalization efforts

NENAHNEZAD, N.M. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council will host its second public hearing on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the Nenahnezad Chapter House to gather public input on federal initiatives aimed at revitalizing the coal industry.

The hearing follows an Executive Order issued by President Donald Trump on April 8 titled “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241,” which seeks to reverse previous federal energy policies and strengthen the country’s coal production and energy security.

The first hearing, held in Forest Lake, Ariz., drew oral testimony from 54 individuals and nearly 170 written comments.

“The public hearings are part of a broader effort to ensure that energy policy decisions reflect the voices of our Navajo people and stakeholders,” said Speaker Crystalyne Curley. “There are many diverse views on coal, and we must continue providing forums where people can be heard.”

The Nenahnezad hearing will be livestreamed on the Navajo Nation Council’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Attendees will be given 5 to 8 minutes to speak, depending on the number of participants. All public comments will be recorded and compiled into a report by the Office of the Speaker.

“Our goal is to elevate community voices and incorporate their insights into policy discussions that affect our lands and people,” added Speaker Curley.

Written comments will also be accepted during the hearing and by email at: speakercomments@navajo-nsn.gov.

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