AGEEZI, N.M. — The Navajo revere this remote area around a tabletop mesa in northwestern New Mexico as the place where the mythical figure Changing Woman gave birth to two warrior sons who made the universe safe.

Energy companies desire this area for its strategic location in the San Juan Basin, a geological mother lode of natural gas reserves in the Four Corners region that has become one of North America’s richest sources of mineral wealth.

The almost inevitable clash of these conflicting values has laid bare the Navajo Nation’s contentious relations with oil and gas companies, including accusations of underpayment for land leases and negligence by the government agencies overseeing such agreements.

It’s Gas vs. Heritage in Navajo Country

The outrageous actions of the energy industry in the Four Corners have caused ranchers and Navajos to shout “enough!” mjh