Darlene has worked building water lines all her life and is now at ground zero of the Navajo water crisis. The New York Times, CBS News and PBS have run feature stories about Darlene getting water to those most in need.

In 2005 while working on the San Juan Chama Water Program in Albuquerque Darlene learned the Diné were getting an even larger program, at this time “naha’tah” the idea happened, and we started on the path to secure work on the Navajo Gallup Pipeline. With industry support of water professionals, journalists, and media executives, I think my prayer “I wish I could do more” has been answered. Investor introductions were truly a God sent, I want to thank everyone for their support and help.

After two years at Arizona State Bryce was recruited to go directly to work for a public works contractor in southern California. For five consecutive years Bryce has worked as a project manager and estimator on complex pipe jobs in greater Los Angeles.

Bryce said: “I like the Naataanii business model, prove ourselves on the Navajo Gallup work than aspire to be the next Chugach Alaska Corporation, number 61 in federal contracts.”

Mike is one of the original founders, he worked on the 72” San Juan Chama Raw water project as a 385 Cat operator setting 32K pipe. Mike was the project superintendent on the San Juan Chama 36” Transmission Main West. Mike has worked pipe jobs across the west and Texas, Mike enjoys recruiting, building winning teams.

Derrick is a 2005 founding member of naataanii, he has large diameter steel pipe experience, joint fit-up, heat shrink, dippers, interior grouting all aspects of steel pipeline. To supplement his income Derrick breaks and trains horses, works as a farrier, butchers sheep and hauls wood and water. Derrek’s work ethic makes everyone better a spark plug for operations.

Patty grew up on the Nation, but migrated for work, Patty is a mother and would love to return to the Nation for her extended family and the challenging Navajo Gallup Pipeline work.

Benton is one of the founding members of Naataanii through the years Benton and his teams have grouted large diameter steel pipe in NM, UT, AZ, ND, CA and TX. Benton transitioned to project management bringing his optimism and work ethic to scheduling, RFIs and shop drawings.

Juan is 2005 founding member and the consummate heavy equipment operator, working for companies like Kiewit, Granite and Washington Corp running the largest equipment on the most complex jobs. “My home is the Rez, haven’t had a job there in 25 years”.

Patrick was in the iron workers Union Local 433 for 25 years, than working for Las Vegas Paving running batch plants and pug mills, it’s his goal to finish out his career on the Navajo Gallup Pipeline. Patricks’ a veteran, involved in promotion of veteran affairs and functions.

Brian is a 2005 founding member, he is emblematic of what it takes to be a Navajo and support a family. “My home and my family are in the Navajo Nation, I’m a journeyman pipe layer, carpenter and iron worker I’m at home one or two months a year it would be a blessing if we could work on the Nation.

Obey worked on the San Juan Chama projects placing heat shrink and pouring dippers he’s a carpenter and iron worker, he travels most of the year working for big outfits like AIMS, ERS and TIC, his hobbies are bull riding and rodeo.

Jimmy worked on the San Juan Chama Projects placing bedding, backfilling and compacting with a PC600 Komatsu excavator. Jimmy has 25 years of construction experience including mechanical and pump stations.

Everett was recruited by Mike Eriacho because of his 30 consecutive years of pipe experience, working for Spirt Underground and other leading companies. Everett runs excavator, loader, dozer and motor grader and, has a large following of experienced Navajo operators and laborers.

“There are very few opportunities on the Nation for work you have to travel to Albuquerque or other cities then compete with immigrants for jobs. Navajo mothers and fathers want youth to stay on the Nation Studies of treaties made between the US and Natives If you think about it, Native Americans were rolled harder than any group killed, enslaved, and our lands taken, and we only ask for work on the Navajo Gallup Pipeline, a pipeline we traded water rights for.”

“I’m 16 years old and the first member of the Naataanii apprenticeship program, the only rules to be a member, no alcohol and ambition to work and learn. Alcoholism is a curse on the nation, since 2010 Naat’áanii shareholders have lost 9 siblings and sons and daughters to unnatural deaths caused by alcoholism.

The San Juan Navajo Water Rights Settlement was agreed to by the state of New Mexico, the Navajo Nation and the United States in December 2010 when then Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr. and Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar signed it.

The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project was authorized for construction by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Title X Part III (Public Law 111-11 on March 30, 2009) as a major component of the Navajo Nation San Juan River Basin Water Rights Settlement in New Mexico.

The Navajo project schedule is determined by the Project Construction Committee consisting of representatives from Reclamation, city of Gallup, Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, and state of New Mexico.

The number four is prevalent in Navajo culture, with the four directions, four seasons, four colors and the first four clans all associated with the four sacred mountains

Corporate bylaws mandate certificate of Indian blood to hold Naat’áanii ownership.

Navajo society is traditionally matrilineal, meaning that one’s clan identity is derived from the female and not the male. In a traditional introduction, a Navajo person will first introduce himself or herself by naming the maternal clan, followed by the paternal clan.