Remnants

Nihi K’é Baa’ (For Our Relatives) is a collective of Indigenous folks working in Diné Bikeyah (traditional Diné Homelands now known as New Mexico, Arizona and Utah) to provide mutual aid and healing to the land. In 2021, Nihi K’é Baa’ cleaned and restored a historical landfill in Ch’íhootsooí (St Micheals, Arizona) that was originally started by trading posts owned by settlers and churches that were colonizing the area. Access to landfills and transfer stations are limited across the reservation, making illegal dumping prevalent in many areas. Historically, settlers brought materials to Diné Bikeyah that were unable to be naturally disposed of, causing the issue of excess waste. During this restoration they found interesting artifacts that told the history of the land, including a large stack of degrading Navajo Times newspapers, cans from the trading post era, wagon wheels and more. Many artifacts still remain, some even grow into the land and take permanent residence in the soil. This series documents the lasting remnants of the landfill, telling the story of this once abandoned area that is now given the opportunity to heal.