Colleen Cooley: Connecting Indigenous Women to the River

For Colleen Cooley, life is about embracing freedom and breaking barriers, whether she’s navigating river rapids or living out of her car. “I thrive on the flexibility and liberation of car living during warmer seasons,” Cooley shares, although she admits that winter stints in Flagstaff feel somewhat confining.

Her lifestyle mirrors her eclectic interests and pursuits. Cooley dedicates time to volunteering at events like Colorado River Days and Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival. She cherishes moments with family and immerses herself in outdoor activities like rock climbing and trail running, all while deeply attuned to nature’s rhythms.

Beyond her personal endeavors, Cooley is passionate about environmental stewardship. She’s compiling a plant book to document local flora and researching their responses to climate change—a testament to her commitment to the natural world.

Cooley’s connection to rivers runs deep, stemming from a transformative experience on the San Juan River during a Native American River Guide Training Program. This propelled her into river guiding with Wild Expeditions in 2009, although she notes that the industry remains predominantly male-dominated.

Drawing from her Navajo heritage, Cooley aspires to empower indigenous women to enter the guiding profession. “It’s crucial for us to reclaim our space in this industry,” she asserts. “Our perspectives, storytelling, and connection to the river offer invaluable insights.”

Guiding on the San Juan River is more than a job for Cooley; it’s a homecoming to ancestral lands. She emphasizes the significance of indigenous guides in offering guests a culturally rich experience. Through Wild Expeditions, Cooley ensures that local and indigenous guides share their intimate knowledge of the landscape.

For Cooley, each trip down the river is an opportunity to share indigenous history, ecological wisdom, and personal connections. “Our presence on the river is a testament to our enduring relationship with this land,” she affirms. “It’s about honoring our heritage and sharing our stories with the world.”