“In my imagination, we need to decommodify everything natural…No one should have to pay for access to clean water…These are all basic human rights. We need to imagine that we can come back to that…We need to learn what reciprocity means with the Earth.” –Zacarías Bernal, Program Assistant Tía Chucha's Centro Cultural & Bookstore

Welcome to the Water Learning Series: Los Angeles. Throughout 2024, we have been hosting conversations with organizations, community projects, tribal organizations, activists, organizers, and leaders from LA and places impacted by LA’s water story. We’ve arrived at Session Nine. Only two sessions remain in the series.

In Session Nine, we widen the conversation about the impacts of LA’s water story, inviting youth from Owens Valley/Payahuunadü and Los Angeles County to share their stories, insights, and dreams for a water sufficient Los Angeles.

Kaytlynn Johnston (Paiute) was born and raised in Bishop in Payahuunadü and is the Co-President of UNITY, a national network organization promoting personal development, citizenship, and leadership among Native American youth. Kaytlynn shares her experiences growing up in the Paiute reservation community and her cultural identity and sense of belonging as connected to the sacred waters of Payahuunadü. Zacarías Bernal, is part of the program team at Tía Chucha's Centro Cultural & Bookstore in the North East San Fernando Valley and draws from his familial roots in the San Gabriel Valley and his xicano identity. He talks about his upbringing in the “concrete jungle,” the disconnection he experienced from knowing the source of LA’s water, and his work to connect people to “Mother Earth” through music and culture.

Katylynn and Zacarías dream in this conversation, imagining what could be if the waters were returned to Payahuunadü. They share their visions for not only their family and communities, but for a world in which the basic human right to clean water is accessible to all people.

Santeena Pugliese, youth mentor, facilitator, digital artist, and co-steward of Three Creeks Collective in Payahuunadü, and Kyndall Noah, Communication Specialist of the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission, join the discussion, sharing their perspectives on the importance of youth voices and leadership in influencing LA’s water story and restoring relations with water.

Zacarías Bernal (he/him) was born and raised on Tovaangar, in what is otherwise known as the San Gabriel Valley of LA County. He is a third generation xicano, photographer, lover of books, and heavily influenced by Zapatismo. He is currently a Program Assistant with Tía Chucha's Centro Cultural & Bookstore in the North East San Fernando Valley.

Kaytlynn Johnston was born and raised in Bishop California and is a member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe. A former member of the Bishop Tribal Youth Council and Female Co-President of the Bishop Tribal Youth Council, she then became Pacific Region representative of all California and Hawaiian Native Youth for 2021/2022. She is currently the Co-President of UNITY, a national network organization promoting personal development, citizenship, and leadership among Native American youth.

Hosted by: Kate Bunney

Produced & Edited by: Anne Carol Mitchell

Intro music by: Mamuse 'River Run Free' - featuring Walter Strauss

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