Darrah
“Practice gratitude - for others, self, nature, and everything in-between.”
Darrah is a courageous and resilient leader. She is also an advocate for healing - whether that be personally, community wide or nationally. She heals through having conversations, but most importantly through listening - something we all need to do to acknowledge our past and work towards a more just future. In her role as Indigenous law and policy fellow, Darrah is leading a direct fight toward justice in the form of reconciliation. She is determined to use her voice to tell honest stories and speak up for those who have been silenced in the past. Meet Darrah. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
D: Yá’át’ééh. Shí éí Darrah Blackwater yinishyé. Béésh Bich'ahii nishłį́ dóó Tsi’naajinii bashishchiin áádóó Béésh Bich'ahii dashicheii áádóó Táchii’nii dashinalí.
My name is Darrah Blackwater and I am a citizen of the Diné (Navajo) Nation. I am an Indigenous law and policy fellow for the University of Arizona, and I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
D: Currently, I'm a broken person on a journey of healing. I am constantly trying to learn about healing and relationships...how to heal myself, how to facilitate conversations that can promote healing in the world, and how to help and inspire others to heal themselves. This relates to Indigenous rights in America as we have conversations about our history, race, reparations, land possession, and resources. America is built on harm, and we all have a lot to heal and repair.
P: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
D: I have really good ideas and I believe in them until they become real.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
D: In 2015 my friend Ann and I walked 1,400 miles across China to raise money for a foster home for children with disabilities. It took us 4.5 months and we faced many challenges including blisters, storms, dangerous bridges and roads, family woes, and general demoralizations. But we did it, and it was a fun challenge that benefited ourselves and others.
P: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
D: Practice gratitude - for others, self, nature, and everything in-between.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
D: Being a woman means carrying a strength and a knowing that is sometimes a thunderstorm in my gut, and sometimes a glossy pond on a sunny afternoon.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
D: Secretary Deb Haaland inspires me. I would tell her that we are so proud of her, and that I think she's doing an incredible job.