Information provided by W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grant.

McKinley CHE – Uranium HIA outcomes. Hearings on uranium impact. Last March 6, 2020, in Crownpoint NM, was the last community meeting. Was supposed to do community forums and plan the people’s tribunal. Raised $6,000 for Red Water Pond. Another outgrowth of the HIA is the NM First zoom webinar with a panel (Krystal, social justice fellow) discussing the impacts of uranium
mining. As a result of the panel, this sparked the interest to have a statewide network to sift out policy issues that can be addressed. 

Barriers are lack of adequate or abundance of financial and resources needed to actuate “change.” There is a lack of understanding from the philanthropic sector regarding real-life community living conditions. We also have a rich culture and want to switch the poverty lens narrative towards bold, fierce, and indigenous-led in our region. Long-term investments in communities are needed for at least 20 to 30 years to see some change.

Geographically, we reside within the region of the 1979 “Church Rock Tailings Spill,” the second-largest uranium-related accident in the United States. (Breach of a dam released more than 1,100 tons of uranium mining wastes/tailings along with 100 million gallons of
radioactive water into the Pipeline Arroyo and then traveled downstream along the Rio Puerco. The effects of which are still felt by our communities).

• Provided environmental literacy training to  50 community members in Gallup and McKinley County on the Water Equity Climate Resilience; Water Policy framework.

• Policy Link added uranium cleanup to their agenda.

• Participation rates increased by 20% by nurturing relationship building through 4 family-centered events.

• 4 Focus groups held on how to recruit more volunteers from communities we work within Gallup/McKinley

• 8 Outreach activities held with Conservation Voters of NM, Strong Families, Somos Gallup, McKinley Health Council for base building.

• Community members who participated in public and uranium forums. Strengthened long-term relationships with other local, state, and national networks for clean-up of the uranium mines. 

• Increased knowledge and understanding of environmental and Dine Fundamental laws. (How do you know? )

• 15 families have increased their confidence and attitudes towards advocacy processes. Through the monthly zoom meetings, we have updates from USEPA, Navajo EPA, and Southwest Research and Information Center that share information on metal studies and project updates from the Native American Superfund Center.

• Monthly Meetings and emails from NM Environmental Law Center.