Navajo study tour by a group of indigenous Australian students 

November 29 – December 12, 2025 in Navajo Nation

As part of the HyPT Center activities, Prof. Greg Metha led a study tour of 5 indigenous Australians plus 2 staff from the University of Adelaide to visit Navajo Technical University (NTU) and the surrounding Navajo Nation (Diné Bikeyah) escorted by the indefatigable NTU provost, Dr. Collen Bowman, and student counsellor, Virginia Edgewater.

This was a for-credit course designed to explore the intersection of indigenous cultural wisdom and scientific knowledge to shape a sustainable future, and had several aims:

• Foster cross-cultural understanding of how traditional ecological knowledge complements modern science
• Encourage students to think critically about global stewardship, integrating cultural values with technological solutions
• Understand the critical role of renewable energy to achieve sustainability   
• Inspire practical and ethical approaches to renewable energy and resource management that respect both ecosystems and communities

The study tour involved 9 days travelling across Navajo Nation, visiting key educational sites and to learn how they are developing renewable energy technologies. Scientific highlights included a visit to the Kayenta Solar Farm, wholly owned and operated by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (see photo of snow-covered panels), hearing about a proposed hydrogen pipeline across Navajo lands (an example of a bad hydrogen project), learning about the HyPT electrolyzer project involving Dr. Mahbubar Rahman from NTU and Prof. Meng Tao from ASU, and discussions with NTU faculty and students on environmental challenges facing Navajo communities. A few of us also visited the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History in Albuquerque.

In addition to academic and technical components, the Study Tour also included numerous cultural demonstrations and excursions: tasting traditional Navajo cooking, observing rug weaving and silversmithing; visits to iconic scenic rock formations such as Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley (see photo as mist lifted); learning about the Navajo code talkers in World War II; meeting and hearing from Miss Navajo Nation; playing the Shoe Game, a Navajo winter social guessing game (photo of all players at end of the game); witnessing traditional songs and dances, and also learning a few moves as well.

This was an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience that will remain with every participant and, we hope, translate into meaningful contributions as these students embark on their future endeavors.