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During the morning session, San Carlos Apache Wendsler Nosie began by speaking of his wife, Dine’ from Cameron, Arizona, and said how important women are to Apaches and how they are held in high regard in the family and community.
Nosie spoke of identity and about being who you are. He said when you challenge something that is bad “they will come at you” with something greater.
Nosie spoke of the importance of working with the youths, and not getting pulled down by those who oppose you.
Nosie said the fight is over “if we lose our identity.” Nosie spoke of the struggle to maintain identity, healing with the children, and the importance of giving back to Mother Earth.
Carletta Tilousi, Supai and Hopi, spoke on the protection of the natural resources and human life. Tilousi spoke on the importance of protecting the Supai homeland and Grand Canyon from uranium mining. She talked of the trade routes with Navajos, and the growing of food in the region, as the people sustained themselves. She thanked Dine’ medicine men for helping Supai with healing remedies.
The uranium mining has already been going on in the Grand Canyon region, which has resulted in cancer and death for the Supai. Tilousi said the plants too in the Grand Canyon region have been poisoned, as can be seen in the yellow spots in the leaves.
“Those areas are not just sacred to the Havasupai, they are also sacred to the Navajo people,” Tilousi said.
Duane ‘Chili’ Yazzie spoke on how the current Navajo government is not one of the peoples own, but one “imposed on us.”
Jonathan Perry, Dine’, Becenti Chapter Vice President, encouraged everyone to continue in the struggle to protect the water and life.
Petuuche Gilbert, Acoma Pueblo, Acoma Laguna Coalition for Safe Environment, spoke on the power of prayer to protect this sacred land. Petuuche spoke on the importance of the people advocating for no uranium mining. He said the struggle continues to persuade tribal councils to say ‘No’ to uranium mining, especially when tribal governments have that “carrot dangled” in front of them.
“It is up to us on how to protect our homeland,” Petuuche said, pointing out the enormous amounts of water that mining companies are using. He said there is now a 30 year lawsuit against Kerr McGee.
Further, there is currently a theft of Indian water rights underway in New Mexico.
“We have to work together,” Petuuche said of the battle to prevent new uranium mining.
Nadine Padilla, Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment (MASE) coordinator, spoke of the importance of Native and non-Native groups working together, and revealing the unity and force strengthening them.
Info on gathering http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2013/12/international-uranium-film-fest-begins.html