It was no mistake that Native Americans were left out of the Colorado River Commission. In fact, as our guest Dan McCool explains, denying native people water was essential to the execution of manifest destiny. That injustice didn’t end with the ratification of the Colorado River Compact. In many ways, the systematic denial and disenfranchisement of Indigenous peoples’ water rights continues to this day. McCool joins us to discuss why, and what can be done to move toward equitable distribution of the Colorado River.
- Daniel Cordalis: Tribal Partnership Manager with the Colorado River Sustainability Campaign. His article “A true Colorado River Compact” was published in High Country News
Dan McCool, PhD, University of Utah Professor Emeritus of Political Science. His focus is on water law and water resources. You can read Dan’s essay Searching for Equity, Sovereignty, and Homeland in the collection: Cornerstone at the Confluence.
Airdate: Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 at 11 a.m.