This is an op-ed by Beata Tsosie-Pena, the environmental justice organizer of Tewa Women United in New Mexico. It is a letter addressed to the families of Flint, United States, who have suffered due to the water crisis in their region. Beata tells them about the struggles of native communities in New Mexico with water after the Animas River and the San Juan River were contaminated with toxic waste. She explains how crucial water is for the emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental health of the native communities of New Mexico, only to highlight the issue of environmental racism against these communities, seen as “collateral damage” for companies. Photo credit: WECAN International
