ABOUT - Anti-Uranium Mapping Project

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Picture this: Imagine navigating through the virtual landscape of Google Earth, seeking your aunt's house on the Navajo Nation. As you toggle through aerial views from memory, what you discover isn't just the path home to your family, but a nearby scar marring the landscape—a coal mine, stark against the backdrop of your heritage. This jarring encounter was the catalyst for the Anti-Uranium Mapping Project, born out of a quest for connection and a shocking revelation. Join me as I uncover the hidden truths of extractive mining practices and stand against the devastating aftermath of uranium mining.

In the face of mounting environmental crises and the urgent need for action, your involvement in the Anti-Uranium Mapping Project is crucial. With the ongoing threat of environmental contamination and health risks, the time to act is now. Your contribution, whether through donation, sharing our message, or attending events, plays a pivotal role in our mission to educate, advocate, and preserve Native heritage.

Take action now and donate HERE.

What We Do

And Why

This project is a vital historical documentation of the uranium mining era from a Native perspective. Operating through an interactive website, our mission goes beyond conventional methods of education. We are committed to enlightening a diverse audience on environmental issues using a multimodal learning approach, recognizing the rich diversity of learning styles.

Our goal is not only information dissemination, it is also to foster meaningful connections. By forging an extensive database, our aspiration is to spark dialogue and actively engage our audience. Through this innovative approach, we aim to cultivate empathy and understanding, making the stories of those impacted by uranium mining resonate on a deeper level.

This project is a narrative tapestry, weaving together personal stories and environmental concerns. By providing an immersive learning experience, we seek to captivate a broader audience and instill a sense of shared responsibility.

By empowering our audience with a comprehensive understanding, we hope to inspire support for the Navajo people. Through this process, we aim to provide a foundation for individuals to actively participate in shaping the energy future and stewardship of natural resources on Navajo land, all guided by the profound principles of tribal sovereignty.

Touring Exhibitions

The Anti-Uranium Mapping Project is currently on display at Appalachia State University in the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. The show will run from January 16th until June 8th. Installation photos of the exhibition can be viewed here.

Larry King was working at the uranium mill when United Nuclear Corporation’s tailings pond in Church Rock breached its dam. 94 million gallons of toxic waste leaked into the Puerco River which runs along his family’s property line.

Outside, wind rips through the land where toxic waste contaminated the soil 44 years ago and remediation is never fully complete.

Leaching ponds contain a mixture of low-grade uranium ore and an acidic drip system, which eventually isolate uranium minerals into a radioactive sludge known as “tailings.”

Communities living along the Puerco River and surrounding areas have lost loved ones, livestock, and access to clean water. There have been no studies on the health impacts. Those impacted have not received any form of compensation.

Approaching a capped mound of radioactive rubble from former uranium mines in Northeast Church Rock and Quivira, a sign written in Diné reads, “LÉÉTSOH DOODA,” or “NO URANIUM.”

Youth living near Church Rock, NM, the location of three Superfund uranium contaminated sites, understand their health is at risk from being exposed to dangerous radioactive elements and are speaking out to advocate for cleanup and protections.

Environmental studies have shown that the impacts of mining in communities results in loss of biodiversity, soil contamination, deforestation, and decreased water quality.

Uranium miners, who were exposed to radiation and developed various cancers and illnesses after the Federal Government's uranium procurement for atomic weapons ended in 1971, are currently not eligible to receive benefits from RECA.

The Red Water Pond Road Community Association, comprised of Diné families, is a grassroots organization that has suffered the environmental and health consequences from uranium mining and milling in the Church Rock area on Navajo Nation since the 1960s.

The Red Water Pond Road Community Association is dedicated to reclaiming lands and waters contaminated by uranium mining, improving the health of its community members, and safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of their environment.

Since 1981, Chris Shuey has been applying his diverse background of journalism and epidemiology to the Uranium Impact Assessment Program at the Southwest Research Information Center in Albuquerque, NM.

Outside Chris Shuey’s office, numerous file cabinets hold research studies and data related to issues stemming from uranium mining.

Susan Gordon’s background of working with federal agencies has given her the experience and knowledge it takes to effectively navigate agencies and corporations when representing communities impacted by the nuclear weapons complex.

Susan Gordon, coordinator at the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment, has been working on grassroots solutions for communities impacted by the nuclear weapons complex since 1995. She is based out of Santa Fe, NM.

Civil rights and criminal defense attorney Mariel Nanasi is licensed to practice in both the state and federal courts and serves as the Exec. Director and President at New Energy Economy, which strives to resist fossil-fuel and nuclear energy extraction.

In September of 2022, Mariel Nanasi and her team at New Energy Economy announced their success in shutting down New Mexico's most toxic coal plant due to the hard work of activists, organizers, elected officials, and the people of San Juan County.

Leona Morgan provides a workshop on measuring radiation with the help of a geiger counter during the 44th Annual Uranium Spill Commemoration at the Red Water Pond Road Community events space.

The Anti-Uranium Mapping Project is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, Donate Now