Karletta Daané Chief

DR. KARLETTA DAANÉ CHIEF (Diné) focuses on watershed hydrology, arid environments, how natural and human disturbances affect soil hydrology, and the effects of climate change on water resources and Indigenous people. Professor and director of the new Indigenous Resilience Center at the University of Arizona, she collaborates with tribal leaders and governments to design community-driven solutions that address the adverse effects of environmental challenges among indigenous groups and increase Native American participation in STEM.

Born: 1975

Hometown: Black Mesa, AZ

Education: Ph.D. in Hydrology and Water Resources

Occupation: Diné hydrologist, UArizona Distinguished Outreach Faculty 2021, Director of the Indigenous Resilience Center, and Professor & Extension Specialist

Favorite Place To Be: With my family on Black Mesa, AZ

Best Discoveries: Soil corer air permeameter, 43 different activities that Dine engage in with the San Juan River

Favorite Items In The Field: Water Quality instrument and supplies

Personal Hero: Dr. Annie Waneka

Hobby: Running

Website: https://resilience.arizona.edu

Advice: As for many tribes, the four directions is an example of understanding the beginning of life, the cycle and seasons of life, and the learning process. In the hoghan or home, one enters from the east. The eastern horizon is the representation of the beginning, the beginning of life, the beginning of each day, and the development of our thoughts and our thinking process as each day passes and as we walk through life. The Eastern Dawn also represents the young life of a child that needs discipline, guidance, and teachings. As we mature through life, we must learn in order to grow. Our people believe that learning has no beginning and no end and that there is a wealth of knowledge available for us to obtain. Therefore, you must reach and explore the opportunities that are available to you. You are the center of learning because no one but yourself can learn for you. In Navajo we say, “Ó’ho’dííł’áłígíí éí áłáí nozínígo nihaasilá!” Each day an individual strives to learn and gain wisdom that will allow him to walk a good life. As you learn, solutions will emerge from within yourself and your mind. I believe through higher learning and education that our tribal nations will progress in the traditional and modern worlds. As we strive to learn and increase our knowledge, we will be faced with daily challenges as we work to reach our goals. But our resilience and our determination to overcome these obstacles allow us to be successful. You are a strong and beautiful people. Take pride in your identity, hold on to your teachings, and seize the opportunity to learn. Our success is crucial as we are paving the way for the seventh-generation