Navajo President presented award in Norway for anti-nuclear stance

[azndndude]

http://gallupindependent.com/2005/sept/092405cnclhnrd.html

[Dez]

1. Cool!

Shirley is ok with me! I'm happy to see he is recognized in this way, this is wonderful! I just hope Washington honors this new law!

[Dez]

2. As usual, this native thread

gets ignored *sigh*.

[ismnotwasm]

4. Not me!

I think this is awesome, and am forwarding this article to some people I know interested in Native news. There is something unspeakably profound to see this protecting the little land that Natives were left, and it should be honored. It gives me hope for the human condition. I think we do tend to ignore this type of news, not realizing how important it is--we have fight on so many fronts, when someone makes a stand, and is recognized for it, we should be on our feet applauding.

[Dez]

6. The only reason why us Navajos got to keep

our land, is because at that time, in the 1860's, Navajoland was considered waste land. It wasn't until the 20th century that they aquired a need for uranium, coal, etc.. Then Peabody and other corporations swooped in to rape the land.

[ismnotwasm]

8. I just got a response from a Native friend

From that article--She said "Very cool, and it only took 51 years lol" (She's a very Neat lady, very involved in Native affairs) I think I'll look up a little history...
I know any land "ceded" to Natives was considered waste land until we found something we wanted on it. Then we'd take that. The history is nearly physically painful to read, if we have the guts to actually read it at all. I think many people only have a sort of vague idea of how the Native peoples got screwed over here. The parts of the I know story reads like a Stephan King novel. And I only know a bit.

[IChing]

11. I had an uncle who was full blooded Navajo

It was a brave move by the tribe not to sell out to the energy monopolies, for the monies could have been a enormous benefit to the tribe.

Advocates of Nuclear energy do not know of the damage uranium mining does to children, workers and the land. I have seen the damage first hand. Thanks for posting this.

[pookieblue]

3. cool

I love this quote: " "The most important role of government is the protection of the health and safety of its citizens."

[NYC]

16. I wish Bush & Co. would read that sentence.

"The most important role of government is the protection of the health and safety of its citizens."

[Spazito]

5. That's great!

If we could all be as responsive and active as the Navajo Nation has been on this issue and many others:

"The Diné Natural Resources Protection Act prohibits anyone from engaging in "uranium mining and processing on any sites within Navajo Indian Country."

[Dez]

7. Hi Spazito.. B,.C, eh? cool!

I used to live in Bellingham, Wa.. was up in Vancouver a lot!

I'm so glad Shirley has done this. I just hope there wont be sanctions put on my tribe.. it would be just like those dicks to do something like that.

[Spazito]

17. Hey Dez, just saw your response this morning...

As you might know, we have land claim issues here in B.C. with the First Nations bands and they, too, are much more responsible and caring about our environment then our provincial government, a faux 'Liberal' one, actually a retread conservative conglomeration.

[dooner]

9. I'm telling you, Norway has it going on!

And I'm not the least bit Norwegian.

See earlier thread regarding story - In Praise of Norway
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4776889

[ismnotwasm]

10. Yeah, Norway rocks

And I'm over half Swedish, so that is high praise indeed!

[dooner]

13. The Navajo Nation deserves recognition

I guess it takes an enlightened country like Norway to recognize the Navajo Nation's important accomplishment in banning uranium mining.

"Since uranium was discovered in the 1950's on the Navajo Nation, the tribe has both worked for and fought against uranium mining. In 1979, Church Rock experienced the force of the "uranium monster" first-hand when a dam burst and sent 1,100 tons of radioactive mill waste and 90 million gallons of contaminated liquid into the Rio Puerco River.

The Diné Natural Resources Protection Act prohibits anyone from engaging in "uranium mining and processing on any sites within Navajo Indian Country."

The 2005 Nuclear-Free Future Awards ceremony is hosted this year by Norwegian Section of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. The honor has been given since 1998 to those working towards a nuclear-free world."

[NVMojo]

12. the lone voices of America ...the Native Americans ...may we listen

to those who are truly in touch for they may help us all heal our land, ourselves ....for we are lost by divide, conquor and rule mentalities of our government ...

[dooner]

14. amen n/t

[Wetzelbill]

15. as a Blackfeet now living in AZ

with many Navajo friends, I can just say I give lots of props to Joe Shirley, Jr. and the rest of the NN. Way to go!