1. An exploitation of Navajo Lives and Land in the American Pursuit of Uranium Ore

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

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

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

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

6. Contaminated water sources Contaminated water sources Declared public health hazard Declared public health hazard Contaminated soil Contaminated soil Hazmat suits required Hazmat suits required Severe Health Complications Severe Health Complications Genetic Defects Genetic Defects Forced to act against beliefs Forced to act against beliefs Psychological Disorders Psychological Disorders

7. 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. Ultimately, a story of “a land exploited and a people betrayed.” Ultimately, a story of “a land exploited and a people betrayed.”

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