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The Remnants of a Radioactive Genocide

The Remnants of a Radioactive Genocide. An exploitation of Navajo Lives and Land in the American Pursuit of Uranium Ore. A Brief History. Why was uranium desirable? 1941—America enters WWII 1942—Manhattan Project Begins 1950s—Stocking Cold War Arsenal.

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The Remnants of a Radioactive Genocide

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  1. The Remnants of a Radioactive Genocide An exploitation of Navajo Lives and Land in the American Pursuit of Uranium Ore

  2. A Brief History Why was uranium desirable? 1941—America enters WWII 1942—Manhattan Project Begins 1950s—Stocking Cold War Arsenal

  3. A source of readily avaliable workers • Life on the Navajo Reservation • Very poor • Obligation to provide for family • Focus on unity of family • Little English spoken • No formal education • Lack of modern amenities

  4. What America did… • Mines provided source of income • Work close to home • Camps built to move families closer to mine • Government would pay for labor and resources • Navajo were more than glad to work the mines

  5. America betrays the Navajo People • Failed to notify workers/reservation about risks of uranium exposure • Research showing definite link to cancer known since 1920 • Declared large “National Sacrifice Areas” on tribal lands • Largest radioactive spill in American History • Radioactive Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

  6. Impact on Navajo Life and Land • Contaminated water sources • Declared public health hazard • Contaminated soil • Hazmat suits required • Severe Health Complications • Genetic Defects • Forced to act against beliefs • Psychological Disorders

  7. In the beginning… When the Diné left the third world to enter the fourth, the gods gave them a choice to choose between two yellow powders… …one was corn pollen, and the other was from the rocks… …the Diné chose pollen. The gods were pleased, but warned the Diné to leave the yellow dust in the ground... …… for if it was ever moved from the ground, evil would follow with it.

  8. Concluding Remarks Ultimately, a story of “a land exploited and a people betrayed.”

  9. Sources • Simon Ortiz—From Sand Creek • Leslie Marmon Silko—Ceremony • The State of Native America • Peter Eichstaedt—If You Poison Us • Ann Cummins—Yellowcake • Doug Brugge—”The History of Uranium Mining and the Navajo People • Contemporary Native American Cultural Issues • Judy Pasternak—Yellow Dirt

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