ABC AUDIO INVESTIGATES THE NAVAJO NATION’S STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL IN THE FOURTH SEASON OF THE EDWARD R. MURROW AWARD-WINNING PODCAST SERIES ‘RECLAIMED’

For the Navajo Nation, the struggle for access to water, the most basic human right, continues. At least one-third of residents in the Navajo Nation — the largest Indigenous tribe in the United States — need to travel miles to get water for drinking, bathing, cooking and cleaning. Even more, many are concerned about the potential presence of uranium and other harmful substances in the water, which has historically been linked to increased cancer rates among Navajo people.

In a new season of ABC Audio’s Edward R. Murrow Award-winning podcast “Reclaimed,” this urgent, life-threatening issue is brought to light. “Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation” is a four-part series that premiered MONDAY, NOV. 11, during Native American Heritage Month. Hosted by Charly Edsitty, a Navajo nation citizen and journalist with ABC’s Houston affiliate KTRK-TV, this series chronicles the Navajo Nation’s generations-long fight for water rights — a battle that has reached a critical turning point with a landmark bill in front of Congress that, if passed, would create critical infrastructure that diverts water to Navajo communities.

“Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation” traces the roots of the Navajo struggle dating back to the 1800s, when the federal government began its legacy of control over tribal lands and resources. Through Edsitty’s personal lens, “Reclaimed” reveals the emotional and far-reaching impact of this ongoing battle for water equity.

“This series captures the powerful story of the Navajo Nation’s endurance and commitment to securing their future,” said Laura Mayer, executive producer of Podcast Programming at ABC Audio. “‘Reclaimed’ highlights the resilience and resolve of the Navajo Nation and their fight for the most fundamental resource—water.”

“‘Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation’ takes the listener on a journey through a part of American history that is rarely known or talked about,” said Edsitty. “Told through diverse Indigenous voices, Navajo citizens share their stories of determination to defend their tribal sovereignty, natural resources and future. “

ABC Audio’s “Reclaimed” podcast spotlights pivotal stories and social justice issues that have often been overlooked throughout history. Last season, “Reclaimed: The Forgotten League” told the stories of baseball’s greatest Black players — overlooked because of the color of their skin — and how newly acknowledged Negro Leagues statistics are revising the record books. Earlier seasons included “The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley,” recognized with the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Podcast, and “Tulsa’s Buried Truth,” which documented the fight for justice for the descendants of the Black Americans killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation
Episode 1: “Dry Country”
In the first episode, we meet Kyle Lewis, a retired Marine who now runs his family ranch on the Navajo reservation. His daily struggle to haul water for both farm and home use highlights the broader issue faced by at least a third of Navajo households that lack access to clean water. The episode traces the historical roots of this problem, starting with the tribe’s forced relocation and their return under a treaty that failed to secure water rights. Kyle’s hopes for a future water pipeline reveal how essential water is for economic development on the reservation, setting the stage for an exploration of the forces that have kept this vital resource from the Navajo people.

Laura Mayer is executive producer of Podcast Programming, and Josh Cohan is director of Podcast Programming.

About ABC Audio
ABC Audio is America’s premiere source for radio news, entertainment content, and podcasts. ABC News Radio reaches more Americans than any other commercial broadcaster through its network of more than 1,600 radio stations and digital distributors. ABC Audio offers affiliates on-demand access to original audio, video and social media content, as well as news, entertainment and lifestyle digital text stories. ABC Audio is part of the top-ranked Walt Disney Company podcasting network. The growing podcast portfolio includes ABC News’ flagship daily news podcast, “Start Here,” chart-topping hits like “The Dropout,” “20/20,” and “538: Politics,” and Edward R. Murrow Award winner “Reclaimed: The Story of Mamie Till-Mobley” as well as “The King Road Killings,” “The View: Behind the Table,” and “In Plain Sight: Lady Bird Johnson.”

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Media Relations
Bridgette Maney
bridgette@bridgepr.net

Alison Bridgman
alison@bridgepr.net