Water Rights
Native American Water Rights & Pollution
Overview
What is uranium contamination?
Uranium is an element that is used to make nuclear bombs and nuclear power. To get uranium, you have to dig deep into the earth. However, uranium is very dangerous to humans. When uranium gets into the water, it becomes contaminated, and causes serious health problems for humans.
How does uranium contamination impact people?
People use the water to drink, to feed their farm animals, to grow plants on their farms. When the water is used like this, it can cause long term health problems like cancer. The water does not look dirty, so people use it. You cannot see or smell the uranium, but it is there.
History of Native Water Rights
During World War 2, the U.S. government had companies mine for uranium. But once the companies shut down, they left contaminated water and uranium waste
Darlene Arviso is a Native American woman who used to be a bus driver, now she drives a truck, getting water to Navajo Nation people who don’t have any water
What are the Issues Today?
Uranium contamination in the water is affecting Native people today
A Navajo school for Special Education students has smelly, black water
A mine spilled contaminated water into Navajo Nation water sources
Two million Americans don’t have running water in their homes, most of them are Native American
Many Navajo have died because from a disease called Navajo Neuropathy, caused by uranium mining near their homes.
President Joe Biden approves funding to help bring clean water to Native tribes.