It’s important to be cognizant of important actions the Biden administration continues to take.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has supported EPA’s work to clean up NPL sites with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund remedial program. The EPA has been able to provide as much funding for site cleanup work in the past two years as it did in the previous five years, officials said.”
The area becomes the only Superfund site on the Navajo Nation, part of a list of known sites throughout the United States where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment. ⚠️ #SuperfundSite#NavajoNation#EnvironmentalHazard
One third of Navajo Nation do not have access to clean drinking water and rely on unregulated wells or have no running water at all.
In 2023 the #Biden administration argued against using federal resources to provide clean water to the nation in front of #SCOTUS. SCOTUS agreed. #indigenous#navajonation#uspol
The "Turtle Island" marathon tour of this worldwide unique film festival on all #nuclear topics and #radioactive dangers includes more than 10 cities in 9 states.
#KleeBenally, #Diné artist, activist and filmmaker, died suddenly on December 30, 2023, just days after completing his designs for the 2024 IUFF tour of North America and the Window Rock festival. We are so sad about Klee's death! Our hearts are with him.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission denied preliminary permit applications for hydropower projects on the Navajo Nation. The commission said it would no longer issue permits for projects on tribal lands without tribal support.
Today is the first day of #NavajoNation Council’s winter session. I was hoping I’d see the recognition of same-sex #marriage bill on the agenda but nope. The sponsor of the bill is resigning from council and will be sworn in tomorrow as #deputysecretary of #indianaffairs for #NewMexico.
So, I’m not sure what will happen to that legislation even though there is a co-sponsor. I’ve been covering this bill.
The controversial Peregrine lunar lander will be deliberately crashed into Earth by Jan. 18 after failing in its mission to reach the moon. The lander launched last week with a payload that included human remains, an act that the Navajo Nation president said was "tantamount to desecration of this sacred space." Live Science has more: https://flip.it/BySWV3 #Science#Space#Moon#PeregrineLander#SpaceExploration#NavajoNation
The Navajo nation expressed concerns that human remains would desecrate the Moon. The concerns were ignored. Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lander containing human remains was launched anyway and something has gone wrong. It won’t make it to the Moon.
"On this week’s #MakingContact, we bring you a special encore of an episode that first aired in June. We’ll hear an extended interview with #IveyCamilleManybeadsTso, a #queer#Diné filmmaker and director of the award-winning #documentary Powerlands.
The United Nuclear Corporation is asking to transfer 1 million cubic yards of mine waste to a spot still near the Nation
By: Arlyssa Becenti - October 22, 2021
“The #Navajo people have endured decades of radiation exposure and #contamination caused by #uranium mining and production, and continues to impact the health of individuals, families and communities. We strongly oppose the proposed amendment that would allow the transfer of uranium mine waste and contamination just a short distance from the Navajo Nation and the homes of our Navajo people.” -- Navajo President Jonathan Nez
The long tail of toxic emissions on the #NavajoNation
Communities contend with ongoing air quality issues tied to #gas and #oil wells.
Mark Armao, August 30, 2023
"Sitting in his office a few miles away, former Chapter President Samuel Sage said he often smells the gas that collects in certain valleys. Sage, who has provided written testimony to Congress on the issue, said officials with the #BLM and the #BureauOfIndianAffairs never discussed the dangers posed by #fracking during oil-leasing negotiations with allotment owners. 'The first thing that was mentioned was, ‘If you sign this, you will get this much money,’ and of course, there was no hesitation,' he said.
"While oil tankers tear up the dirt roads that branch off the highway, Sage said the industry’s presence has frayed the fabric of the community, pitting locals who support oil and gas development against those who are opposed to the industry encroaching on the landscape. Undeterred by the controversy, Pinto plans to continue putting pressure on regulators and the industry by documenting emissions and raising awareness of their potential health impacts.
"'It’s not good for us, it’s not good for wildlife, it’s not good for plants,' Pinto said. “Are people getting paid enough to bear all these negative impacts — is it worth it?'"
About the author:
"Mark Armao (#Diné) hails from the high desert in northern Arizona. Now based in California, his recent reporting has focused on #environmental issues facing #Indigenous communities."
Nicole Horseherder has been working to bring environmental justice surrounding the land, water, animals and people of her community of Black Mesa on the #NavajoNation.
Now she is being recognized as a recipient of the prestigious #HeinzAward.
In 1982, Navajo Code Talkers Day was established through a presidential proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. In 2020, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation to make National Navajo Code Talkers Day a state holiday.
Navajo Forest Products Industries was a booming industry, until it wasn’t. Now what's left is the small New Mexico community of Navajo looking to assess the decades of contamination left behind and clean up the mess, looking to revitalize their community and create economic development opportunities.