Thank you to everyone that was able to make it to our first Revealing Payahuunadü event: Protecting Paya.

We wanted to start this chapter of our water story in a good way by honoring the legacy of water protectors that have been doing this work for more than a hundred years. We couldn’t think of a better way to do this than to gather for dinner, stories and conversations.

Together we celebrated the legacy of water stewardship in Payahuunadü over a delicious dinner prepared by Roseanne Moose and screening of Paya: The Story of the Paiute and The Aqueduct Between Us. We also watched a handful of short films created by local tribal youth and heard from OVIWC’s Teri Red Owl, Aqueduct Between Us creators AnMarie Medoza & Isaiah Mendoza, and Bishop Paiute Tribal member Noah Williams.

Our Water Empowerment Organizers wanted to create a space for reflection and conversation, attendees were encouraged to move around and explore the Water History timeline exhibit, pick up a schedule of upcoming learning opportunities & a copy of Our Water Story, and visit the Department of Water Protection table to take a pledge to protect our most precious resource.

We finished off the night with a Q&A panel and desserts by Roseanne Moose and local baker Sweet Sky.

A big thank you to everyone that took part in the planning and coordination of our first event, we look forward to sharing space with more water protectors in 2026!