Bending the Arc references a quote by Rev. Dr. King who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This digital newsletter from the CSA Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation office showcases the work of changemakers, opportunities to learn, and opportunities for you to help “bend the arc” toward justice. Full contents of the newsletter are published on this page.
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Navajo Nation desperate for Water
June 20, 2024
BNSF Railway writer, Susan Green, writes an alarming, but encouraging, article on the Navajo Nation’s plight for water leading to a water-by-rail solution in this April 2, 2024 article.
Green explains that “in the arid high desert of New Mexico, water is an increasingly rare commodity, especially in the eastern Navajo Nation, where many homes on the reservation have no running water. A pipeline is prohibitively expensive, and the main water sources are nearby wells that have already been tapped or contaminated.”
Chris Halter is Director of St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School in Thoreau, New Mexico. He explains, “Recent drilling for new wells proved costly and futile.” He knew bringing potable water to the area was urgently needed. Chris’ brother, Drew, saw firsthand how much the reservation relied on a water-delivery system, using a small fleet of water trucks to serve 250 families. With his railroad experience, Drew developed a new plan - Jacob’s Well. Jacob’s Well, Water by Rails Transportation Service, provides an alternative for environmentally friendly, timely, cost-efficient water, assisting overstressed water aquifers and depleted groundwater sources in areas of need across the United States, including delivering thousands of gallons of water each month from Mississippi to the Navajo Nation.
Watch this video that describes the Navajo water issue.
While moving water from one geographical watershed to another is by no means a perfect solution, it is an innovative way to meet the needs of people while work is done to rectify the problems with the local water sources.
The costs for the mission’s water and transport are paid for by donations. You can donate online to help buy water for the St. Bonaventure Mission or donate over the phone: 877-989-4100. When making a donation, please mark in the comment section “water project for Jacob’s Well.”
This story was brought to our attention by Sister Barb DeBoo, CSA, who was on staff at St. Michael Indian School for 27 yrs (1992-2019). St. Michael was founded in 1902 by Saint Katharine Drexel to provide Catholic education to students on the Navajo Reservation.
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