Hopi Saying
Before you take any decision, consider its effect on the next seven generations
Sustaining the Hopi Reservation as a permanent homeland for the Hopi people
The scheduled closure of the Navajo Generating Plant in 2019 represents the most serious threat to Hopi life in modern times. Royalties from the plant contribute over 90% of the tribal government budget, which supports employment on the Reservation. The Tribal Government is studying ways to expand traditional livelihoods that are consistent with Hopi values and the central role of water in cultural and spiritual life.
Livestock offers a potential for growth
Ranching was not always a traditional part of Hopi Life, but has bronce more important over time. The Hopi have invested heavily in range management to sustain cattle grazing for traditional cow/calf production. They created new opportunity for Hopi ranchers by investing in the Hopi Three Canyon Ranches (H3CR) and the Hopi Certified Beef program. The H3CR is a group of five off-reservation ranches that wean, background and market calves raised by Hopi Stockmen on the reservation. The certified beef program is based on a production a protocol originally derived from Harris Ranch, guaranteeing high quality, healthy animals that are anti-biotic and hormone free. The program has returned premiums to Hopi Stockmen and to the Tribal Government, earning a reputation for health and quality that is increasingly being recognized regionally.
Water efficiency and conservation key to sustainable value chains
AISD is helping to assess the economic feasibility of expanding current cow/calf and backgrounding operations into finishing and harvesting, in order to add additional value to the Hopi Certified Beef product. AISD is conducting a value chain analysis that integrates water impact assessment as a core element of value chain sustainability.