Indigenous Peoples Day is everyday and what what we need to do is to support our Indigenous brothers and sisters in their struggles. We support and recognize the Ute Mountain Ute tribal members and the White Mesa community in their efforts to protect their relatives from the dangers of uranium at the White Mesa Mill, mere miles from their home fighting contamination of water, air, land, plants, and animals. Bears Ears may be protected for now but the struggles are far from over.
We are able to catch up with Regina Lopez and talk with her about why she and many members of her tribal community are on the spiritual walk to raise awareness on the dangers of uranium right next to the White Mesa community.
Organized by the Grand Canyon Trust and the Ute Mountain Ute community members, this struggle has been going on since the 1970’s, a prime example of environmental racism. The film “Half-Life” is a fantastic documentary that highlights the failure of the uranium project both economically and environmentally. The reality is that renewable and green energy development like solar and wind are the future while the old extractive industry of oil, coal, and uranium are on the way out. We can’t rely on Indigenous communities to continue to take the hit for others to have power. At some point, we have to say enough is enough and fight for environmental and social justice for our relatives.
Shash Jaa': Bears Ears - official film website 