Former Navajo Nation President Peterson Zah To Receive Grand Canyon Trust Lifetime Achievement Award

FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Former Navajo Nation Chairman Peterson Zah will receive the 2021 Grand Canyon Trust Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing exceptional individuals who have accomplished significant conservation for the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau. Zah will be honored for his life’s work, including significant contributions to conservation of the environment and advancing tribal sovereignty. 

During his long career, Zah led national tribal efforts in Congress to strengthen many federal environmental laws. In his time as President and Chairman of the Navajo Nation, Zah renegotiated mineral, coal, oil, and gas leases with major energy companies to better benefit the Navajo people, and created permanent trust funds, now valued at several billion dollars, dedicated to culture, language, education, health, governance, infrastructure, and land restoration. 

The award will be presented during a small private ceremony on Tuesday, January 11th. Members of the public can tune into the ceremony virtually via Zoom.