Research question: How has the Diné community been impacted by uranium mining in their land? (With the perspective on biological, environmental, psychological within the implications against them politically within the society).
Thesis: The Diné community was largely uninformed about the risk factors of uranium mining when federal powers were encouraging the creation of the atomic bomb. The aftermath of the pressures resulted in the Diné people to be at most harm from the effects. The community faced cancers, and respiratory diseases, especially those that were employed to be miners. Those that were just living off the land were also impacted and many got cancers because of the repeated exposure. It poised the land, making the plant life and the livestock like sheep sick as well. This radioactive battle brought sickness that led to early death, which had put a burden on the Diné people’s community. And for many to be seen as a second thought to the government's priorities yet again throughout history is always a systemic battle that brings a lot of stress to indigenous peoples. With all this being said the Diné people fight, and continue to fight! They are resilient, and they should be respected. So it is important for other people outside of the community to educate themselves in problems that they might not be facing, and listen to the people who are being affected, so there will be a greater echo and greater power of the people.
Sources listed:
- EPA; Office of Radiation & Indoor Air Radiation Protection Division. Uranium Location Database Compilation. Aug. 2006.
- Traci Brynne Voyles. Wastelanding : Legacies of Uranium Mining in Navajo Country. Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Press, 2015.
A good Database:
(4) New Mexico University “SRIC: Uranium-Related Documents.” Sric.org, 2024, www.sric.org/uranium/rirf.php.
(5) Shuey, Chris. Metal Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest Overview of Public Health Concerns about Abandoned Uranium Mines: From Miners to Community Members Living near Waste Sites American Public Health Association Annual Meeting Metal Exposure and Toxicity Assessment on Tribal Lands in the Southwest. 2024.
(6) “- YouTube.” Youtu.be, 2024, youtu.be/JpHBLxwLDsQ?si=ang1jDaFDSN5WLub. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.
Primary Sources:
- Yazzie, Farris. Oral History. Podcast Interview.
- Yazzie, Chris. Oral History. Podcast Interview.
- Brugge, Doug, et al. Navajo People Uranium Mining • ••• EDITED BY. Sept. 2005.
- Biel, Kathy. CATO SELLS Fort Defiance, Arizona. 31 July 1970. An interview by Kathy Biel with CATO SELLS
“— TESTIMONIES//ORAL HISTORY - Anti-Uranium Mapping Project.” Anti-Uranium Mapping Project, 2025, www.antiuraniummappingproject.com/testimonies-oral-history. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
MUSIC ARTIST:
Peaceful Music Soothing Hope -Sonican
Healing Heart -Acoustic Loop For Love -Sonican
