Reclaiming the land: A 24-year-old’s vision for Diné sovereignty

By Navajo Times | Jun 12, 2025 | News |

By Robert Bettis
Navajo Times

WINDOW ROCK

In the high desert of Window Rock, where the land is scorched by the sun and scoured by wind, Wade Henderson is proving that Diné Bikéyah holds untapped potential for food sovereignty.

Navajo Times | Robert Bettis
Wade Henderson tends to golden currants, one of many native plants flourishing in his desert garden. Once scarce in the dry soil, the berries now thrive under his careful, water-saving methods.

What began as a small, struggling garden on a rocky slope has blossomed into a testament to the thriving spirit of the Navajo grower, blending traditional knowledge with new techniques. Henderson is cultivating more than just a family farm. He is demonstrating that with the right methods, this land can thrive for its people.

Wade Henderson, 24, is Naakaii Dine’é and born for Áshįįhí. His maternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii, and his paternal grandfather is Hooghan Łání.

Navajo Times | Robert Bettis
Walking onions cluster and spread with little help in Wade Henderson’s thriving native garden.

When he first started in 2019, his garden was little more than an experiment. The sloped terrain caused water to rush away before his plants could drink it, but with some patience and a strong back, he began reshaping the land. Inspired by a permaculture mentor and workshops with Hopi farmers, he dug drainage channels to capture rainwater, directing every precious drop to his seedlings. Today, what was once barren ground is lined with terraces and swales that capture every drop of rain.

To read the full article, please see the June 12, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.