NMHM News:
SANTA FE — The story of three remarkable Diné (Navajo) women who helped defeat the construction of a coal-fired power plant on the Navajo Nation, known as Desert Rock, is the focus of a new exhibition, “A Question of Power,” at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe.
Opening April 19, 2026, the exhibition shares their story through photographs taken by Carlan Tapp, as well as videos and audio interviews of the Diné residents who organized to protect their land, health, and communities affected by the proposed power plant.
The exhibition captures the leadership of the three Diné women, Sarah Jane White, Lucie A. Willie, and Molley Hogue. They drew from the strength of their matrilineal cultural system as land managers to lead a successful campaign against the construction of the power plant. They organized and managed a protest camp near the proposed Desert Rock site, held campfire vigils, met with journalists, and spoke to New Mexico State legislators and Governor Bill Richardson.
Cathy Notarnicola, Curator of Southwest History at the History Museum explains why this exhibition tells an important story. She says, “The promised economic benefits of coal to the Diné people were never realized, while the industry’s operations have impacted residents’ health and the environment. Electricity generated from coal travels hundreds of miles to cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Albuquerque, while one-third of Diné homes lack electricity, and 40% lack access to water.”
The exhibition highlights the work of documentarian Carlan Tapp, who photographed and recorded the perspectives of residents near Farmington between 2004 and 2011. Forty black and white photographs, as well as interviews with Diné stakeholders, document the controversy.
It was these concerns that led the community to fight against the proposed power plant. The exhibition shares not only their opposition, but also the Diné people’s victory. Ultimately, as a result of their efforts, $85 million in tax credits to the power company were deferred, and construction of the plant was cancelled in 2011.
“A Question of Power” will be on exhibit inside the Palace of the Governors at the New Mexico History Museum from April 19, 2026, through June 27, 2027. A public reception hosted by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Women’s Board will be held 1-3 p.m., Sunday, April 19.
About New Mexico History Museum
New Mexico History Museum, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, offers a welcoming place for exploration of multifaceted views on history, dialog that bridges social and cultural divides, and reflection on the conditions needed for a more resilient, just, and sustainable future. The NMHM campus is located on the north side of the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Learn more at nmhistorymuseum.org.