Earthcycles LIVE Thursday morning: Indigenous Uranium Summit

LISTEN: EARTHCYCLES LIVE THURSDAY 8:30 a.m.
through Saturday noon
http://www.earthcycles.net/

Indigenous Uranium Forum
Sky City Hotel

Acoma Pueblo, N.M.
The 7th Indigenous Uranium Forum proposes to focus much needed public attention on the rape of Mount Taylor and to serve as a vehicle to launch a regional inter-tribal campaign to end this madness in the Grants Mineral Belt, Lakota Lands, and elsewhere in Indian Country from the Grand Canyon to White Mesa where deadly and runaway uranium technology threatens the lives of future of our water, land, people, and our winged, four legged and those that crawl relatives. The 7th Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum will focus on the recent onslaught of exploratory measures to mine and mill uranium in the Grants Mineral Belt. Due to recent price fluctuations of uranium on the world market and United States energy policy still emphasizing nuclear power as an answer to global warming and climate change, we will inform and educate participants of local, national and international nuclear issues impacting Indigenous peoples. The forum will also prioritize presentations on health issues impacting both mining and non-mining populations living in contaminated communities. We will use the forum as an organizing and network initiative to help us better understand the work Indigenous people are doing to fight nuclear power in their communities and move toward alternative forms of energy such as wind and solar.

Earthcycles will broadcast live from the Indigenous Uranium Forum at Sky City, Acoma Pueblo, N.M., on Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time through Saturday noon, Oct. 22-24.

Thursday, October 22, 2009
7:00AM—8AM: Breakfast & Registration
8:30AM: Welcome – Honorable Chandler Sanchez, Governor of Acoma Pueblo
8:45AM: Opening Prayer – Honorable Ron Charlie, 2nd Lieutenant Governor, Acoma Pueblo
9:00AM: Introductions – Manny Pino, Acoma, Professor, “Overview of Acoma Homelands”
9:30AM: Protecting Mt. Taylor: 30 Years of Resistance
• Jon Redhouse, Advisor to SIUF
• “Honoring Diana Ortiz, Women of Acoma: Great Role Model”
• Wild Fire Singers, Taos Drum Group, “Songs for the People”
10:30AM: Break
10:45AM: Inter-Tribal Voice
12:00PM: Lunch (on your own)
1:00PM: Indigenous Nuclear Resistance Panel
• Charmaine White Face, Defenders of the Black Hills, “Impacts of uranium
development on Lakota Lands and World Health Organization Obligation to the UN”
• Rita Capitan, Eastern Navajo Diné Against Uranium Mining
• Supai Waters, Matthew Puetsoy , Carletta Tilousi, Havasupai Tribe, People of
the Blue Green Waters, Protecting Red Butte and Grandmother Canyon
• Nuclear Waste: Margene Bullcreek, Shoshone Paiute
• Indigenous Youth Voices: Nadine Padilla, Autumn Chacon, Nikke Alex & Jihan
Gearon
• Solidarity Statement: Katsumi Furitsu, Japan & Mayra Gomez, Aymara Tribe,
Bolivia
3:00PM: Break
3:15PM: Indigenous Nuclear Resistance Panel
• Gilbert Bedonie, Navajo Dependents of Uranium Workers Committee
• Chris Peters, 7th Generation Fund, “Abya Yala” International Connections
• Updates: Nuclear Regulatory Commission-GEIS Panelist Eric Jantz, NMELC
• Dineh Project, Sarah Adeky and Chris Shuey, SRIC
4:30PM: Adjourn
5:00PM: Dinner & Music by “Indigie Femme”
7:00PM—9:00PM: Evening Activities
1. Networking and relax: It’s your choice
2. Film Screenings: “U38 Womyn” (7 mins), Shonto Prepatory School, Uranium
Research, “Radioactive Mines to Radioactive Weapons” (27 mins) -- Host:
Norman Brown
Friday, October 23, 2009
7:00AM—8AM: Breakfast & Registration
8:30AM: Opening Prayer
8:45AM: Overview/Check in with Forum/Updates
7TH SOUTHWEST INDIGENOUS
URANIUM FORUM
OCTOBER 22 , 23, 24 2009
SKY CITY HOTEL & CASINO
I- 40 AT EXIT 102, ACOMA PUEBLO, NM
9:00AM: Greening Our Economies Panel
• John Fogarty, New Energy Economy
• Louise Bennally, Food Sovereignty
• Cristala Allen, Caddo, Native Workplace
10:30AM: Break
10:45AM: Nuclear Terrorism on Indigenous Lands: Treaty and Human Rights Lens –
Moderator: Manny Pino
• James Zion, Esq. “Public Lands Uranium Resistance: Grand Canyon and
Beyond”
• Taylor McKinnon, Center for Biological Diversity
12:00PM: Lunch (on your own)
1:00PM: Tools for Change – Moderator: Petuuche Gilbert, Acoma
• Multi-Cultural Alliance for a Safe Environment-Best Practice for Alliance
Building Nadine Padilla, Larry King, Jonnie Head, & Rosemarie Cechini
3:00PM: Break
3:15PM: Impact of Uranium Development on Local Communities – Moderator: Laura
Watchempino, Acoma
• Teddy Nez, Carletta Garcia, Al Waconda
4:30PM: Adjourn
5:00PM—6:30PM: Dinner
7:00PM-9:00PM: Film Screening and Discussion – Host: Robert Tohe
• “Return of Navajo Boy” (53 min) & Conversation with Elsie Mae Begay
Saturday, October 24, 2009
7:00AM—8:00AM: Breakfast & Registration
8:00AM: Opening Prayer & Announcements
9:00AM: Guest Speaker, Winona LaDuke, Anishanabe, White Earth Homelands
10:15AM: Beyond Nuclear, Kevin Kamps, Radioactive Waste Watchdog
10:30AM: Break
10:45AM: Strategy Presentations, Draft Press Release, Reach Consensus on Plans of Action,
Assignments, Committee to Carry out Plan of Action, Set Conference Call, & What
organizations are committed?
12:00PM: Wrap Up Discussion
12:30PM: Adjourn
Thank you all for taking the time to share and plan for a Nuclear Free World.

Winona LaDuke (Anishinaabe) is an internationally renowned activist working on issues of sustainable development, renewable energy and food systems. She lives and works on the White Earth reservation in northern Minnesota, and is a two time vice presidential candidate with Ralph Nader for the Green Party. As Program Director of the Honor the Earth, she works nationally and internationally on the issues of climate change, renewable energy, and environmental justice with Indigenous communities. Winona LaDuke will be speaking at the Southwest Indigenous Uranium Forum on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 9AM.
http://groundswellfilms.org/grandmothers-dc.htm
November 2006 saw the birth of Indigie Femme. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA international performers Indigie Femme combines their traditional and original songs, dance and storytelling, Indigie Femme’s vision is to create global cross-cultural exchange. The lively performances weave ethnic cultures through song, dance, storytelling and facilitating educational workshops in North America and the world. Indigie Femme will be performing at the Forum Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 5PM.
Set in the stunning landscape of Utah's Monument Valley, this unforgettable, universally acclaimed documentary chronicles the extraordinary saga of how a rediscovered 1950s silent film reel leads to the return of a long-lost brother to his Navajo family. Since the 1930s, members of the Cly family have lived in Monument Valley and appeared as subjects in countless photographs, postcards, and Hollywood westerns -- even in a home movie by legendary director John Ford and a propaganda film by a uranium mining company. The film "The Return of Navajo Boy" will be screened at the Forum Friday, October 23, 2009 at 7PM.
Special acknowledgement to the following supporters:
7th Generation Fund
Lannan Foundation
Western Mining Action Network
Bioneers
Available Media, Inc.
Beyond Nuclear
Phil Harrison, Navajo Nation Council Delegate (Cove & Red Valley)

AIM-West salutes the Alcatraz Warriors

The General Public is Invited! For more information (415) 577-1492

AIM-WEST Salutes the Alcatraz Island Warriors of 1969-1971!
A Tribute to the 40th Anniversary
By AIM West
Photo: Bill Means, Lenny Foster and Mike Flores on Alcatraz 2008/Photo Brenda Norrell

PROCLAMATION:

“To the Great White Father and All His People, WE THE NATIVE AMERICANS, reclaim the land known as Alcatraz Island in the name of all American Indians by right of discovery. We wish to be fair and honorable in our dealings with the Caucasian inhabitants of this land, and hereby offer the following treaty: We will purchase said Alcatraz Island for twenty-four dollars ($24) in glass beads and red cloth, a precedent set by the white man’s purchase of a similar island about 300 years ago. We know that $24 in trade goods for these 16 acres is more than was paid when Manhattan Island was sold, but we know that land values have risen over the years. Our off of $ 1.24 per acre is greater than the 47 cents per acre the white men are now paying the California Indians for their land….Signed, Indians of All Tribes, November 1969, San Francisco, California.” With this profound proclamation and the gallant actions necessitated by the young brave’s so began a movement of Indigenous activism that awoke America, and sent a thunder-clap around the world that has now culminated in the historic adoption by the United Nations General Assembly on September 13, 2007 of the “Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.
Please make a date to be with us Wednesday, November 4th to honor and commemorate those warriors who sacrificed and gave of their time and placed themselves in social turmoil to help re-claim the destiny for all Indians of the Americas.

Place: La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, http://www.lapena.org/calendar
Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Film: “Alcatraz Is Not An Island” (starts at 7 pm!)
M.C.’s Jimbo Simmons (AIM), and Mary Jean Robertson (S.F. KPOO radio personality)
And with Special Guest Speakers, with music by Goodshield, Drummers and Singers welcome, and Traditional Dancers!
Cover Charge $ 8.00 slide-scale, no one turned away. A food can drive is also requested for Oakland Inter-Tribal Friendship House. A raffle prize, and a blanket donation is requested.

On this occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz Island, a special benefit by American Indian Movement-WEST (AIM-WEST) invites you to join us and acknowledge all those heroic warriors representing “Indians of All Tribes” who sought to liberate The Rock, (first landing Nov. 14th) that began November 20, 1969 until being led off the island June 11, 1971. Their mission and purpose; to enlighten the American people of the injustice done to the American Indian by stealing their land by phony treaties.

During the 19 months of the occupation 20,000 people visited Alcatraz Island, meanwhile a medical clinic was set up, the structure of day-to-day life needed formulation, children needed schooling, a leadership structure needed to be created to tend the affairs of Alcatraz community; the Black Panthers offered help; Credence Clearwater Revival donated $15,000; a child was born (July 20, 1970), the 12 year-old daughter of Richard Oakes, the foremost leader of the Alcatraz occupation, fell over a railing and died on January 8, 1970; and the light house and several buildings burned to the ground.

Against this backdrop the leadership at Alcatraz began negotiations with government officials setting the stage for confrontations with dishonest politicians, onerous developers and bureaucrats. Come and share your experiences, thoughts and vision of what this occasion has meant to you, the youth, and community.

Free Leonard Peltier! Freedom for All Political Prisoners! Protect Sacred Sites! Honor the Treaties! Acknowledge and review the 18 Unratified Treaties made with the California’s American Indians! And demand the US government sign the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples! (only three countries have not signed: USA, Canada, and New Zealand!)

*Mark your calendars now for the AIM West Coast Third Annual Gathering November 23-27, 2009. *M.C. Mr. Bill Means, National AIM Grand Council, and Board Member of International Indian Treaty Council, a United Nations NGO in consultative status.
Donations are appreciated. Check AIM-WEST website for more information. All My Relations!
Wheelchair accessible
http://www.aimwest.info/

34th Annual American Indian Film Festival

Media Inquiries Contact:

publicrelations@aifisf.com

34th ANNUAL AMERICAN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL
COMMEMORATES NATIONAL INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH DIVERSIFIED

Photo: Pearl Scott

PROGRAMMING INCLUDING 80 FILMS, IN-DEPTH MEDIA PANELS, SPECIAL
SCREENINGS AND A STAR- STUDDED AWARDS SHOWCASE

SAN FRANCISCO -- The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI), proudly announces the 34th
annual American Indian Film Festival, November 6-14, 2009. The American Indian Film
Festival will premiere over 80 innovative feature films, shorts, public service, music videos and
documentaries of USA American Indian and Canada First Nation communities. Founded in 1975,
AIFF has established itself as the premiere Native film festival in North America. This year’s
selection continues to celebrate the Festival’s tradition for excellence and diversity with powerful
performances and new cinematic expression by cutting-edge media makers.
Prominent Sponsors of the 2009 AIFI Festival are; The Seminole Tribe of Florida; Yocha De-
He Wintun Nation, CA; National Education Association; San Manuel Band of Mission
Indians, CA; CBS Television , NY; KQED TV9; and Grants for the Arts.
Public screenings and events will be held for nine days, from Nov. 6-11 at the Landmark
Embarcadero Center Cinema, One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level; and conclude
Nov. 12-14 at the Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St. @ Bay Street.
“The film festival and awards show are the cornerstone of what we do —provide an opportunity
and national venue for emerging and established filmmakers, entertainers and performing artists
to convene, renew their artistic spirit and share their gifts." - Founder/ Director Michael Smith.
Opening the Festival on Nov. 6, is the feature documentary People of the Seal (72 min) – an indepth
exploration into the insight and understanding of the Unangan (People of the Seal) who
reside in the world’s harshest environment and whose culture is near extinction. People of the
Seal is preceded by short film Tungijuq (7 min), a story about Inuit seal hunting which stars Inuit
singer-artist, Tanya Tagaq and produced by award winning filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk
(Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner). Closing the American Indian Film Festival on Nov. 13, is the
dramatic feature film Barking Water (81 min) directed by award- winning director and AIFF
favorite Sterlin Harjo (Four Sheets to the Wind). The film traces the impromptu journey taken by
estranged couple Frankie and Irene as they visit the stations of their fractured relationship and
learn the meaning of coming home and what it takes to get there. Director Sterlin Harjo and
actors Casey Camp- Horinek and Richard Ray Whitman, in attendance for Q&A.
Other Noteworthy Film Selections:
Nov. 7: * Pearl (117) dir. King Hollis- The true story of Pearl Carter Scott, a daring young
Chickasaw girl who became the youngest licensed pilot in U.S. history. Befriended by the famous
aviator Wiley Post in the late 1920’s, the adventurous twelve- year old Pearl was taught to fly. So
trusting and close was her relationship with Post, she was one of the only two people to fly his
well-known plane, the Winnie Mae. Pearl Carter Scott became one of the pioneering female
aviators alongside Amelia Earhart. This film was funded by the Chickasaw Tribe of Oklahoma.
*Special screening of Peter Bratt’s (Follow Me Home) powerful second feature film La
MISSION (117min) Set in the colorful, seedy streets of the San Francisco district that bears its
name, La MISSION is a story of healing and transformation among father and son, in a multiethnic
neighborhood struggling to break the chains of violence. This mesmerizing film is imbued
with the curative power of Aztec tradition and stars Benjamin Bratt (The Cleaner). Preceding La
MISSION is Given to Walk (35min) dir. Robert Guthrie, a gritty short film about domestic
violence and the power to overcome abuse. * Peter Bratt ( La MISSION), Benjamin Bratt (La
MISSION) and Robert Guthrie( Given to Walk) will be in attendance at the festival for a Q+A
after their respective films and will be available for interviews.
Nov. 8: Jim Thorpe Spotlight – A cinematic look into 20th Century’s Greatest Athlete
*Jim Thorpe, The World’s Greatest Athlete (60min) dir. Tom Weidlinger- Considered the finest
athlete of the 20th century, Jim Thorpe was a US Olympic multiple gold medal winner as well as
a star of professional football and baseball. He was man who used his amazing physical prowess
as a way to affirm his American Indian identity in the face of unrelenting efforts to eradicate
Native American culture. In this superb documentary—using old recordings, re-enactments,
newsreels and animated photos—brings Thorpe's successful career alive. * JARIN- a fable By
Jim, Knute, and Red (27min) dir. Myrton Running Wolf - Short film about a present-day tale
about legendary Native American athlete Jim Thorpe (Sac-N-Fox) coming back from the past to
teach a boy from the reservation on how to play football. * Bright Circle (90min) dir. Shawn
Kakuk- At the turn of the 20th Century American Indian athletes from Carlisle, Haskell and the
earlyNFL were at the forefront of the sporting world. This rich tradition, established in the past by
athletes such as Jim Thorpe, is carried on today by the ancestors of those and other incredible
athletes including interviewees Bret Favre (Choctaw) and Dan Hampton (Chickasaw) Chicago
Bears Hall of Fame Inductee.
Nov. 10: * Lost Sparrow(78min) dir. Chris Billing - Three decades ago, two Crow Indian
brothers ran away from home and no one knew why. Their sudden and mysterious deaths sent
shockwaves through a tiny upstate New York community. This is their adoptive brother’s journey
to bring Bobby and Tyler home and confront a painful truth that shattered his family.
Nov. 11: * Kissed by Lightning (90min)dir. Shelley Niro - Set on Canada’s Six Nations Reserve,
broken-hearted Mavis (Kateri Walker) tries to piece her life back together after the tragic death of
her husband. In an attempt to hold on to a shred of her past, she invites her husband’s ex-wife and
son to live in her home, while she is relegated to the backyard trailer. Alienating herself from the
outside world, Mavis desperately clings to her profession of painting in an effort to extinguish the
memories that haunt her. But when an upcoming art exhibition requires Mavis to embark on a
road trip, she finds herself faced with the difficult task of letting go. Costarring Eric Schweig
(The Big Eden). Co -Presented by the San Francisco Women’s Film Festival.
Nov. 12: * The Only Good Indian ( 113min) dir. Kevin Willmott - Set in Kansas during the
early 1900s, a teenaged Native American boy (Winter Fox) is taken from his family and forced to
attend a distant Indian "training" school to assimilate into White society. When he escapes to
return his family, Sam Franklin (Wes Studi), a bounty hunter of Cherokee descent, is hired to find
and return him to the institution. Franklin, a former Indian scout for the U.S. Army, has
renounced his Native heritage and has adopted the White Man’s way of life, believing it's the
only way for Indians to survive. Along the way, a tragic incident spurs Franklin’s longtime
nemesis, the famous “Indian Fighter” Sheriff Henry McCoy (J. Kenneth Campbell), to pursue
both Franklin and the boy. Director Kevin Willmott and actor Wes Studi, in attendance for
Q&A.
Special Events:
Nov.12– AIFI Panels @ Radisson Hotel, Fisherman’s Wharf
*10:00am – “Native American Women vs. Hollywood Stereotypes”. This panel explores the
stereotypes of Native women in Hollywood from the common portrayal of the “Indian Princess”
to the modern Native woman today. Panelists include Shirley Cheechoo, Carole Nee-ta-key
Marie, Larissa Fasthorse, Annie Frazier - Henry, Kateri Walker and Casey Camp-Horinek.
*1pm – Panel hosted by CBS Television Diversity Office, NY
AIFI seminars will be bringing noted industry professionals to San Francisco to teach, inspire and
share their knowledge with current and the next generation of media makers. These programs
are free and open to the public. Must Advance Register.
Nov. 13- Tribal Touring Program – Theatre 39@Pier39 (Beach St. and The Embarcadero)
The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) is proud to celebrate its ninth year of youth film
programs during this year’s Festival. AIFI is able to engage hundreds of Native youth each year,
where aspiring student filmmakers participate in a ten- day long film workshop supported by
AIFI’s tribal host partners. This year AIFI’s Tribal Touring Program will showcase youth films
from -Stop the Violence Coalition, Hoopa CA; Yocha –De- He Wintun Nation, Brooks, CA;
and United Auburn Indian Community, Auburn CA.
Nov. 14 – American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show
AIFI’s American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show, honoring filmmakers and showcasing
contemporary Native American talent, will be held on Saturday November 14, 2009 @ the Palace
of Fine Arts beginning at 6:00pm. Fourteen awards will be presented including Best Film, Best
Actor and Best Documentary. The awards show will include a mix of live entertainment by
established and emerging Native artists and performers including:
*Joanne Shenandoah: A Grammy Award and 11 time Native American Music award winning
artist, Joanne Shenandoah has become one of the most critically acclaimed Native American
singers, finding crossover success with her ethereal voice and blend of traditional melodies and
contemporary styles.
*Jana Mashonee: Lumbee by heritage, contemporary artist through hard work, destiny and the
spirits, Jana brings a fresh outlook and exotic style to today’s music. Jana refers to her cultural
anomaly as “Urban Indian”. Her powerful voice, coupled with the sensibilities of pop, R&B,
world and gospel music create a compelling new mix. She has received 5 Native American Music
Awards.
* The Sampson Brothers: Samsoche and Lumhe Micco Sampson are the youngest of the late
Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest). They have always been connected to their
Native roots through dance. “The Sampson Boys,” as many call them, are known for their hoop
dance which they perform in unison to create original formations. They will be performing
alongside singer Jana Mashonee.
* The Plateros: Hailing from the Navajo Nation, The Plateros merge blues, rock, gospel, and
funk with a positive message. Featuring 16-year-old Levi Platero—whose hard-driving
exuberance on guitar is nothing short of extraordinary—his father, Murphy, on bass, and cousin,
Doug, on drums, they have already earned comparisons to such groups as Los Lonely Boys and
Indigenous.
*Swil Kanim: A world - class virtuoso violinist who advocates self-expression to create stronger
community. He intertwines his music with storytelling, poetry, and audience interaction. His
original compositions are mesmerizing and inspiring to all ages.
*Star Nayea: Native American Music Award recipient, singer-song writer Star Nayea is
described as “The little lady with the big voice.” Raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Star
delivers powerful soul with a voice rooted in “Motor City” rock ‘n roll. She has recorded and
performed with many Native artists, including Robbie Robertson, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Keith
Secola, Robert Mirabal, Indigenous, and many others.
*Laura Ortman: Classically trained on violin, self taught on guitar in 2006, Laura Ortman is a
multi-talented musician that continues to be trailblazer across Indian Country today. She is a
member of bands like Dust Dive Flash, Silver Summit, Stars Like Fleas and in 2008 founded The
Coast Orchestra, the first All-Native American Orchestra.
A complete schedule is available on our website www.aifisf.com. All programs are open to the
general public and will require tickets for admission. Advance Tickets available thru AIFI:
415-554-0525 Visa & Mastercard. On-site tickets available at the following theater venues
(on day of show.) * Photos available upon request as well as interviews can be arranged*
Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema Palace of Fine Arts
One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level 3301 Lyon St.@ Bay St.
San Francisco,CA San Francisco, CA
Showtimes: Nov. 6- 11 Showtimes: Nov. 12-13
Matinees begin @ noon ($5) Evenings begin @ 7:00pm ($10/8)
*Box Office matinee tickets are available at Nov. 14 : Motion Picture Awards
11:00am Show begin @6:00pm
Evenings begin @ 7:00pm Awards Show tickets are available
*Box Office evening tickets are available at 5:00pm @ Box Office
(Opening Night $10) ($20door/$15adv./$15 students &
Evenings ($7 students & seniors /$8 general) seniors)
###

Yellowcake and body bags, Iraq and Vietnam

Yellowcake instead of drugs, Iraq flashback to Vietnam
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

MONTREAL and LAKOTA TERRITORY -- During the Vietnam War, secret US operations transported drugs in the body bags of US soldiers. During the Iraq War, the US secretly transported Iraq's uranium to a private company in Canada, Cameco. It is the same uranium mining company that Lakotas are fighting in their territory in Nebraska and First Nations are battling for poisoning their land and water in Canada.
The US secretly transferred 500 tons of uranium out of Iraq to Cameco. The US spent 70 million taxpayer dollars doing this in the summer of 2008.
During the Vietnam War, the US smuggled drugs out of Vietnam in body bags of soldiers, a fact exposed by CIA agents at the time.
Iraq’s yellowcake was transferred from Tuwaitha, 12 miles south of Baghdad and then to Diego Garcia, a British territory in the Indian Ocean where the United Kingdom and the United States operate a joint military base. Finally it was transported to Montreal.
“While yellowcake alone is not considered potent enough for a so-called 'dirty bomb' — a conventional explosive that disperses radioactive material — it could stir widespread panic if incorporated in a blast. Yellowcake also can be enriched for use in reactors and, at higher levels, nuclear weapons using sophisticated equipment,” according to MSNBC.
The cleanup in Iraq was by Iraqis trained at Chernobyl, according to MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25546334/
Why?
The media seems to have forgotten about this secret shipment of Iraq's yellowcake. But Cameco will not go away. Cameco is exploiting and poisoning Indigenous lands with uranium mining and gold mining, from Saskatchewan to Wyoming and Kazakhstan.
Currently, Lakotas are fighting Cameco in court in Nebraska over uranium mining.
The question remains why the majority of gold, copper and uranium mining corporations that are exploiting and assassinating Indigenous Peoples around the globe are based in Canada.

More at CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/07/iraq.uranium/
Cameco mining:
McArthur River
Key Lake
Rabbit Lake
Cigar Lake
Crow Butte
Smith Ranch-Highland
Inkai
Cameco homepage:
http://www.cameco.com/

Photo at top 2003: A US soldier pushes a Uranium 'yellow cake' barrel which was brought by Greenpeace activists for a protest outside the former Iraqi Presidential Palace, which now houses the US Administration office in Iraq, Friday July 4, 2003 in Baghdad. The environmentalist group is calling the attention of the US civilian administration to take action in safeguarding the nuclear facility in Tuwaitha which allegedly can be disastrous due to high radiation levels after it was looted during the war. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez0

Transporting Nukes: Catastrophic accidents waiting to happen

Transporting Nukes/Nuclear Materials: Catastrophic Accidents Waiting to Happen
Eagle Watch #12
October 18, 2009

We Indigenous always consider our future generations and the world they will inherit from us. We have a huge responsibility to stop all this nuclear development.

The issue of transporting dangerous nuclear materials is a no brainer yet it goes on all the time, on our busy highways, in planes over us and on rivers, lakes and oceans all around the world. Moving all these radioactive toxins around must be stopped. Just in our area, Nishnaabe and Ongwehonwe territory, there is an alarming amount of uranium and nuclear products being trucked around.

For starters, the yellowcake that comes thousands of kilometres from northern Saskatchewan is trucked to Blind River and Port Hope along the busiest highways in the land. Some of the processed radioactive powders, pellets and fuel bundles are then put on ships and sent down the St. Lawrence River and on to ports in the USA, Asia, France and elsewhere. An accident of just one load would be a major disaster. When it does happen, it is hushed up, minimized, swept under the carpet and the victims are muzzled.

Several years ago, some Russian plutonium was flown to Canada, most likely landing at Trenton Air force base on Lake Ontario. Then the 15 kg of MOX was flown by helicopter to Chalk River. It probably flew right over Sharbot Lake!

The government recently decided that the solution to the millions of cubic metres of radioactive material at Port Hope would be to move it by truck to a nearby site. "All the waste will be consolidated in an engineered mound west of Baulch Rd. and south of Hwy. 401, to then be managed for hundreds of years." How is that any better? It'll get blown and spilled all over the place along the way. CNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved and licensed this demented plan.

Now we have GE Hitachi wants to make LEU fuel bundles at their Peterborough plant where they already make the basic uranium fuel bundles for CANDU reactors. The LEU bundles contain 5times more uranium and are for reactors as far away as Japan, India and China. The materials used to make the bundles come from Toronto and Wilmington, North Carolina, once again on busy highways. Then the finished bundles are driven to reactor sites like Darlington, Pickering and Bruce or to ports for shipment around the world. An accident could happen at any time.

The "approved and designated trucking routes" for the GE-Hitachi nuke factory form a network of municipal (e.g., Monahan Road, Lansdowne, and The Parkway), regional (e.g., Highway 115) and provincial highways (Highway 401). These are all busy roads and often quite slippery in winter.

We all know that vehicle accidents happen so much it is routine. They often involve big transport trailers, 18-wheelers on busy freeways. Toxic spills are frequent, downplayed and under-reported. Multiple collisions are common. Sometimes these crashes result in fiery infernos.

If a nuclear load caught on fire on the 401 near Toronto, the consequences would be catastrophic. Some eight million people live and work in the region. An accident only has to happen just once to destroy the area for thousands of years to come. Countless numbers of people would be dead and many more would be sickened with cancers, heart disease and behavioural disorders. Babies would be born deformed and many pregnancies would end in miscarriage. This would also happen to all the animal life around us. Government and Industry would Deny, Deny, Deny! The cost in suffering and economics would be astronomical. Why take such a risk? It is insane!

Following the publication of our recent report, "Stop the Expansion of Peterborough Nukes", we received an article from a reader. "For Lack of a Database: Uranium truck rollover in North Carolina", was written in January, 2007 by Michael Hopping. Here's an excerpt from it:
"On the evening of December 21, 2006, a tractor trailer hauling 3159 kg of low-enriched (fuel-grade) uranium dioxide overturned on the I-95 exit to eastbound I-40 at Benson, North Carolina. A blip of press interest followed the accident, but by Christmas it was gone. We might have hoped the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and federal hazardous materials bureaucracies filed the incident in long-term memory for future reference. That doesn’t appear to be the case. So, for lack of a more appropriate venue, this is the report that should have been.
"The Accident
A Tri-States Motor Transport tractor trailer rig picked up the 20-foot long overseas shipping container loaded with uranium at Virginia’s Portsmouth Marine Terminal. It was bound for the Global Nuclear Fuels (GNF) fuel rod fabricating plant in Wilmington, NC. The container, which was bolted to the flatbed trailer, remained attached when the rig rolled off the curving exit ramp and came to rest on its side in a grassy area.

"...the material on board was uranium dioxide powder enriched to approximately 5% U-235. (U-235 is the uranium isotope responsible for starting fission, the nuclear chain reaction, inside a reactor.

"...If any significant quantity of enriched uranium dioxide were dumped in a pile it would undergo uncontrolled fission—go critical. On the scale of a nuclear power plant this is called a meltdown."

That's the exact stuff that will be brought to Peterborough to be put in the fuel bundles. Are the 1,400 jobs at GEHitachi worth the risk?

These highway crashes involving nuclear materials can happen anytime anywhere along the route. Fortunately this one did not end in catastrophe. Increasing the movement of nuclear materials increases the probability of a serious accident. No container is invincible yet the complacent nuclear industry recklessly moves nuclear materials around every day, claiming it is safe. It is a risky gamble not worth taking. These arrogant nuclear nuts need some kind of therapy for their gambling addiction. They're gambling with our lives and our futures.

There is still time until October 21 to send your comments to the CNSC regarding the nuclear factory expansion at Peterborough. You can get their screening report from "CEAAInfo" and send your comments to:
CNSC
Send comments by mail, fax or email to:
Dr Caroline Ducros
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Environmental Assessment Division
Directorate of Environmental and Radiation Protection and Assessment
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9
Phone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax: 613-995-5086
Email: EA@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca


KITTOH

Part of the solution to any problem is getting the facts straight. Someone puts a lot of resources into denials and lies to pacify us the people. They want to soothe us into a stupour. If you find this article useful and interesting, help to circulate and discuss.

We welcome your feedback! Forward, post and consider printing for your cyberphobic friends and relatives.

Notes and Sources
GNF Global Nuclear Fuels is a partnership between General Electric, Hitachi, and Toshiba.
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2134175
http://www.michaelhopping.com/features/nuclearconnection.html
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/711907--chernobyl-part-2-the-accidental-tourists

BC Demonstration: In defense of Teztan Biny

DEMONSTRATION at the Mining Association of BC reception:
Wednesday October 21st @ 6:00 pm
Fairmont Waterfront
900 Canada Place Way
The destruction of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and the surrounding area goes against every single traditional law and value that has been instilled in us since time immemorial. It is our responsibility to protect the wildlife, our land, the lakes, the rivers and the air for future generations. It is time to stand up and speak out against this proposed development.
UNITY is the key. Please assist in making this demonstration a success and pass this message on to your friends and family who may be interested in joining our group.
The demonstration has been called by the Tsilhqot'in Nation in defense of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and other lakes threatened by mining development, and in defense of indigenous sovereignty, title and rights. Please come and stand in solidarity with the Tsilhqot'in and demand justice! (Loretta Williams, TNG Mining Coordinator) Chief Marilyn Baptiste and others will be there. Please note: If you are there and have any photos you'd like to share, please email them to info@fonv.ca
Taseko Mines EIS on Prosperity deficient a second time; First Nations suggest investors and public take note.
Williams Lake, October 19, 2009 -- The federal panel reviewing the proposed Taseko Mines Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project sent the mining company's revised environmental impact statement (EIS) back a second time, saying the EIS is still deficient. In the panel's letter to Taseko,it notes deficiencies in information requested about the proposed tailings storage facility and in traditional Aboriginal use of the area.
Taseko Mines has gone public trying to point a finger at First Nations for delaying this important process, notes Chief Bernie Elkins, of the Tsilhqot'in National Government. However, it is Taseko that has held up the process by failing to provide the panel with the information it needs to go to public hearings.
The Panel noted that Taseko Mines still has not provided the information it has requested on traditional Aboriginal Fishery Usage and First Nation and Cultural Heritage. Taseko was required as part of its EIS to describe First Nations use of the area that its project will impact if approved.
Despite spending tens of millions of dollars on its EIS, Taseko's treatment of First Nation's impacts is shamefully poor, as the panel pointed out back in June, the first time it found the EIS deficient,states Chief Marilyn Baptiste, of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation. The Panel encouraged Taseko to work with us and to fund traditional use studies to deal with this deficiency, but despite spending millions Taseko refused to approve a very modest budget for this work.
Chief Baptiste goes on to point out that as a result, the Panel found Taseko's EIS deficient a second time because it still does not provide sufficient information on the use of the area by First Nations. By trying to skimp, save and understate the potential impacts of this project for First Nations, Taseko has delayed the review process. And the Panel continues to hold them accountable for this.
Taseko is now paying for its refusal to work with First Nations.
Chief Elkins also notes that even if the First Nation's traditional use information had been provided, Taseko would still be holding up the process because of deficiencies in critical hydrology informationidentified by the Panel.
The Tsilhqot'in National Government says it is important that the public realize this process is not one that should be rushed through because of a bottom line. We are in a process to decide the fate of an ecosystem and watershed, something that took thousands of years to create, says Chief Elkins. This process should take time because we have serious concerns that this mine represents a disastrous precedent for mining policy in Canada and puts all lakes in Canada at risk of destruction for the storage of contaminated mining waste.
First Nations are not the only ones with grave reservations about this proposed mine, confirms Chief Baptiste. This project is far from a done deal.
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For further information, please contact:
TNG Communications DepartmentChief Bernie ElkinsTelephone: 250-392-3918Email: chiefesdilagh@gmail.com

Women fight mining companies

Women fight South American mines
Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/oct/12/women-fight-south-american-mines
Photo: Goldcorp Terrorism by mimundo.org

UK urged to pressure South American governments to refuse mining licences
Women say mining is damaging their homes and environment
Kathryn Hopkins
12 October 2009
A group of South American women arrived in Britain this week to highlight the plight of indigenous people around the world fighting international mining companies.
In a desperate attempt to save their land and livelihoods, women from Ecuador, Peru and Guatemala will lobby the UK government and European parliament to put pressure on their governments to refuse mining licences. Maria Sian, 40, from San Juan Sacatepéquez in Guatemala, said: "What I'm looking for is for people here to press our government to not give out licences to international mining companies because the results that I see are death and destruction."
Carmen Mejia, 25, from a village called Agel in the San Miguel region of Guatemala, has been protesting against Montana, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian mining company Goldcorp Inc. She alleged that explosions, dust and the vibrations of heavy trucks to and from the open-pit gold mine have changed the face of her village.
Another woman, Gregoria, who cannot give her full name for legal reasons, said: "As the mine advances and occupies more land, some families find that their houses have cracks and are now on the edge of a precipice. There are armed security guards everywhere."
She said people faced chronic skin infections, hair loss and feared for the safety of their children living in houses which may collapse due to substantial cracks. The women were harassed by miners and intimidated by the police, she said they "cry in desperation, feel constantly depressed". "Life has become very difficult. Sometimes suicide becomes an option," said Gregoria. "The authorities don't want to know, we don't count." The Guardian was unable to reach a representative of Goldcorp for comment.
Lina Solana, 40, from Ecuador has a similar story. She has several charges against her for protesting against Canadian mining company Corriente Resources. "The company's activities damage the Amazonian ecosystem."
She said the exploration caused environmental damage and problems with the water but also social problems such as corruption and the criminalisation of protests. "There is a lot of verbal aggression from the police towards females protesting against the mines. They call us sluts and smelly Indians."
The Guardian was unable to reach Corriente for comment.
The women have been aided by the Latin American Mining Monitoring Programme. It said: "Women often feel that life in the community is so transformed by the mining conflict that 'peace is gone, there is no more happiness'. Another worrying development for women is that abuse against them becomes 'normal' and unworthy of police attention."