The Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission (NNWRC) (herein after “the Commission”) was established in 2002 by the Navajo Nation Council (CAP-39-02). The purpose of the Commission is to ensure that the water rights of the Navajo Nation are vigorously pursued, and effectively coordinated, through an enhanced communication strategy on behalf of the Navajo Nation. The Commission’s Plan of Operation spells out its authorities; Article 8 includes the following authorities:

“To serve as the principal point of contact for the Navajo Nation and all media, public relations, and public education efforts regarding water rights and shall coordinate all public statements on these issues.” (Section 8.A.3)

“To enhance communication among the appropriate Navajo Nation divisions, departments, programs, chapters, agencies, and the Navajo public on water rights issues by producing periodic newsletters, creating videos, hosting conferences, making radio appearances, attending meetings of Navajo Nation entities such as farm boards, conducting other appropriate public outreach, fostering immediate use of wet water and other action to preserve or enhance Navajo Nation Water Rights Claim.” (Section 8.A.8)

“To conduct public meetings to seek and receive input from the Navajo public on water rights issues.” (Section 8.A.9)

COMMISSIONERs

The Commission is comprised of representatives from five Navajo agencies, the Attorney General, who represents the Navajo Nation Department of Justice (DOJ) Water Rights Unit, and the Director of the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources who represents the Water Management Branch. Many of the staff under the Department of Water Resources and the DOJ have been working together for many years. According to a former Commissioner, “There is good camaraderie among the Commission, Water Resources Department, and the Navajo Nation DOJ Water Rights Unit.” The current commissioners' profiles are provided below.

JOELYNN ASHLEY

CHAIR, WESTERN AGENCY COMMISSIONER

Joelynn M. Ashley is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Coppermine (Béésh haagééd), Arizona. Her clans are Kiis’áaníí and Ta’neeszahnii. She is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, earning multiple degrees in Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Graduate Certificate in Public Management, Masters in Public Administration, and Masters in Administration. Ms. Ashley is currently in pursuit of completing her PhD through the Department of Politics and International Affairs, Northern Arizona University. She was appointed by Madam Chief Justice JoAnne B. Jayne. Ms. Ashley has worked on Federal Indian Water Rights as a tribal consultant, scholar and instructor for the last 20 years, and in addition to working as former Navajo Nation Division Director Division of General Services, Adjunct Faculty at Northern Arizona University and continues to devote her time in Indian Country to establish, as a permanent homeland by protecting, enacting and developing a tribal sovereigns right to safe drinking water.

Western Agency Chapters (18): Birdsprings/Tsidii To'ii, Bodaway-Gap, Cameron, Chilchinbeto, Coalmine Canyon, Coppermine, Dennehotso, Kaibeto/Kai' Bii To, Kayenta, LeChee, Leupp, Navajo Mountain, Oljato, Shonto, To' Nanees' Dizi', Tolani Lake, Tonalea/Red Lake, Ts'ah Bii Kin/Inscription Hse

EARL TULLEY

VICE CHAIR, CHINLE AGENCY COMMISSIONER

Chinle Agency Chapters (15): Black Mesa-(Kits'iili), Blue Gap-Tachee, Chinle, Forest Lake, Hardrock, Lukachukai, Many Farms, Nazlini, Pinon, Rough Rock/Tse Ch' Izhi, Round Rock, Tsaile-Wheatfields, Tselani-Cottonwood, Whippoorwill

CLETIS MARK

EASTERN AGENCY COMMISSIONER

Cletis B. Mark is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Rock Springs, NM who currently resides in Farmington, NM. Cletis holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University. Mr. Mark is currently a Program Manager with Arizona Public Service who interfaces with the senior executive management team seeking focus, expertise and execution of the most impactful processes creating sustainable valve to Company while working on special Capital Projects and new seek sustain lable project development. He is a member of Project Management Professional (PMP) and certified with the Lean Simga Certification program.Cletis has over 25 years of experience in engineering, planning, design, process improvement and construction management within Energy Utility.

He previously served on the Water Right Commissioner from Nov 2002 to Nov 2005. He looks forward to working with the NNWRC to advance the Nation's water rights/claims.

Patricia Slim

FORT DEFIANCE AGENCY COMMISSIONER

Patricia Slim is a program manager and water resource specialist with expertise in hydrogeology, environmental planning, and regulatory compliance. She has led projects in aquifer evaluations, deep resistivity surveys, and public water system planning, while also managing contracts and intergovernmental collaborations.

Recognized for her strong analytical and communication skills, Patricia works closely with tribal, federal, and local partners to advance natural resource management, business development, and community infrastructure. With deep knowledge of Navajo Nation regulatory frameworks, she is committed to building partnerships that protect resources, support economic growth, and strengthen communities.

LORENZO BATES

NORTHERN AGENCY COMMISSIONER

Northern Agency Chapters (20): Aneth, Beclabito, Cove, Gadii ahi/To' Koi, Mexican Water, Nenahnezad, Newcomb/Tiis Nideeshgish, Red Mesa, Red Valley, San Juan, Shiprock, T'iis Toh Sikaad, Teecnospos, Toadlena/TwoGreyHills, Tolikan, Toohaltsooi, Tse Alnaozt'ii, Tse'Daa Kaan, Upper Fruitland

JASON JOHN

COMMISSIONER, WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR

Jason John began working for the Navajo Nation in 2001 as a Hydrologist. Prior to becoming the Department Manager in February 2019, Jason worked for the Department as a Senior Hydrologist, Principal Hydrologist and Director of the Water Management Branch. In addition to working with Navajo Nation leadership, the Department interfaces with Navajo Nation programs, communities, and state and federal agencies to promote water development through Public Law 93-638 Contracts and other agreements for planning, design and construction. Jason holds a B.S. in Geophysical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines and an M.S. in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a board member of Animas La Plata (ALP) Operation Maintenance Replacement (OMR) Association since February 2012 and Navajo Nation trustee to the Ten Tribes Partnership and Colorado River Water Users Association.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

SUPPORTING STAFF

DWIGHT WITHERSPOON

NNDOJ WATER RIGHTS UNIT

Dwight is a member of the Navajo Nation. He is of the Ta’chiinii (Red Running into the Water) Clan. Dwight earned his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University in May 2022, after serving 8 years on the Navajo Nation Council. This public service led to his interest in water rights. After passing the State and Navajo Bar, Dwight started working for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice in November 2022 in the Human Services Government Unit (HSGU). After working in HSGU for ten months, he transferred to the Water Rights Unit in October 2023.

CRYSTAL L. TULLEY-CORDOVA

PRINCIPAL HYDROLOGIST

Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources Water Management Branch

Crystal Tulley-Cordova, PhD, MWR is a Principal Hydrologist in the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources - Water Management Branch. She is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Crystal currently works on securing and protecting water rights and developing water infrastructure projects for the Navajo Nation. She has worked collaboratively with Navajo Nation partners on water-related research since 2013. Her past research consisted of three projects conducted in collaboration with the Navajo Nation Water Management Branch, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, and Navajo Environmental Protection Agency; they are entitled (1) Navajo Nation, USA, Precipitation Variability from 2002 to 2015, (2) Stable isotopes in precipitation and associated waters: Recording the North American monsoon in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, and (3) Groundwater sustainability and susceptibility to modern contamination in Fort Defiance, AZ. In 2021, she was awarded the American Indian Science and Engineering Society Professional of the Year Award and the University of Arizona Agnese Nelms Haury Tribal Resilience Leadership Award. She received a doctoral degree in Geology and an Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainability from the University of Utah. She has received a Master of Water Resources in Hydroscience and a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico.