Restoration of the Colorado River: An Act of Cultural Survival for the Cocopah Indian Tribe
The Cocopah Indian Tribe, also known as "the river people," has long been accustomed to change along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. For centuries, they have seen borders drawn that intersect their homeland, and their traditional way of life has adapted and survived with each new generation. However, the diversion of the Colorado River through modern canals and dams has had a profound impact on the Tribe’s way of life.
According to the Walton Family Foundation, the Cocopah have partnered with the National Audubon Society on two significant restoration projects on the reservation’s North and West sections. Federal grant funding is helping the Tribe transform more than 400 acres in the Colorado River floodplain. The Tribe is removing invasive, non-native vegetation, planting native trees, shrubs and grasses, and using existing water rights to sustain the restored area through irrigation.
"The Colorado River has always been our home," says Tribal Vice Chairman Neil White. "The water has provided so many things for us, but nobody really goes out there anymore," he says of the growing inaccessibility of the river and instability along the border. The restoration projects aim to reconnect the Tribe to their cultural power source and provide a safe space for young people to engage with nature.
Jennifer Alspach, director of the Tribe’s Environmental Protection Office, worked with Audubon on several rounds of grant applications before the project received full funding. "The significance of the project is huge. Environmental changes have really impacted the Tribe’s way of life. The sites have been extremely degraded. It’s very dry with a lot of invasive plants. To bring back the native plant species that the tribe depends on, and to increase the gathering spaces available for the tribe to be close to the river, is really important," she says.
The restoration projects are not only about environmental conservation but also about cultural preservation. Jennifer Pitt, Audubon’s liaison to the Tribe, notes that "like many Tribes, the Cocopah have experienced a loss of their culture and their cultural knowledge, because for generations now, they’ve lived in a place that is completely transformed from what their culture evolved in." The project is "very much an act of planned cultural survival," she adds.
The Walton Family Foundation has provided funding to support the Cocopah Indian Tribe in its successful federal grant writing efforts. The foundation’s commitment to build the capacity of conservation partners and increase use of conservation solutions that benefit nature and people has been instrumental in the project’s success.
On a recent visit to the completed restoration project on the North Reservation, Vice Chairman White saw a glimmer of his Tribe’s future. "There were cottonwood trees all around. There were fish and ducks. As we were standing around, the hawk flew in. And I think that’s what we’ve been missing. Our ancestors got the spirit and the hope from seeing these animals out here – the birds, the lizards. The day gets extremely hot in the summertime, but they survive."
As change continues, the Vice Chairman says the Tribe will continue to adapt as well. "We’ve survived over the years too. I think restoring the river for our next generation, to have them watch these animals – our spirit source – return, it’s going to empower us to get back to our traditional ways. Maybe not 100%, but we can keep the things that keep the Cocopah alive."
The Cocopah Indian Tribe’s restoration project is a testament to the importance of preserving cultural heritage and protecting the environment. As the Tribe continues to adapt to the changing landscape, their efforts serve as a powerful example of the impact that community-led conservation initiatives can have on both people and the planet.
The project is expected to have a lasting impact on the Tribe’s way of life, and the Walton Family Foundation’s support has been instrumental in its success. As the Tribe looks to the future, they are committed to preserving their cultural heritage and protecting the Colorado River, a vital source of life and sustenance for generations to come.
In the words of Vice Chairman White, "restoring the river for our next generation is going to empower us to get back to our traditional ways." The Cocopah Indian Tribe’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and protecting the environment, and their efforts will continue to inspire and empower future generations.
The restoration project on the Cocopah Indian Tribe’s reservation is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaborative efforts between Tribes, conservation organizations, and funding partners. The project’s success is a testament to the power of community-led conservation initiatives and the importance of preserving cultural heritage and protecting the environment.
As reported by Walton Family Foundation, the Cocopah Indian Tribe’s restoration project is a powerful example of the impact that community-led conservation initiatives can have on both people and the planet. The project’s success will continue to inspire and empower future generations to prioritize cultural preservation and environmental protection.
