What's at Stake: The Survival of the Great Plains - Fighting Uranium Mines

"This is the first time in 27 years that a uranium mining corporation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have been challenged about 'their right' to water. "Protect SacredWater. While we still have some left to protect!!!!" Wioweya Najin Win   An Update from the Crawford Uranium Mining Front Line Owe Aku is a grassroots organization of Lakota people and our allies founded to promote the protection of sacred water and preservation of our territorial lands.  Our actions for environmental justice rely upon cultural revitalization as our major tool in achieving our goals.  The principle location from which are operations are based are on Lakota territory along Wounded Knee Creek on what is called the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation .  More information on our work can be found at www.oweakuinternational.org "Wednesday August 26th was day three at the uranium hearings in Crawford, Nebraska:  Sacredwater vs Cameco, Inc. "Today, Thursday, August 27th the Oglala Sioux Tribe historical and cultural experts Dennis YellowThunder and Mike Catches will take the stand and defend the Oglala Lakota, the Lakota Oyate (nation), Unci Maka (Mother Earth), and our ancient lands and culture.  They will be on the stand for Thursday and Friday and maybe even Saturday. "The judges announced they may extend the hearing one more day.  See you there. Toksa." Wioweya Najin Win  Buffalo Bruce, a local activist and resident, added:  "The Federal Judges are sharp and drilling all attorneys and witnesses into the ground for the facts. With the new data showing the existence of many faults and fractures that didn't exist prior to the Uranium mine startup, the Judges are pointed and crisp with their questions to the mine staff and attorneys. Feeling OK!" "Some hardcore lawyers, water protectors, hydrologists, geologists and biologists keeping Cameco and the NRC on the uranium hot seat in front of the atomic licensing board. "Expert witnesses include hydrogeologists Wireman and Kreamer, stratiagrapher Dr. LaGarry and biochemist Linsey McLean.  Attorneys Andrew Reid, Thomas Ballanco, and David Frankel represent the intervenors who were unprecedentedly granted status before the NRC and include the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Debra White Plume, Joe American Horse Tiospaye, Tom and Loretta Cook Twice, Owe Aku (Bring Back the Way), and the Western Nebraska Resource Council." Suree Towfighnia, Co-Director, Producer, Camera, Crying Earth Rise Up, and Owe Aku    The website link for Crying Earth Rise Up has substantial information on uranium mining, the film and the hearing before the NRC.  Also see Owe Aku's website for more details on who we are and our fight to protect sacred water.  Also, if you're on Facebook, follow us at Owe Aku. During a break in the proceedings in Crawford, NE, where Owe Aku and its many allies are defending Sacredwater from uranium mining for the benefit of future generations and a living Unci Maka, Wioweya Najin Win and Vic Camp (Owe Aku's spokesman known as the Eyapaha) toured some of the site where the hazardous uranium is forced from the Earth.  This struggle is nothing less than one of survival for the Lakota people who, for thousands of years, lived in this region of North America  and cared for the Earth.  It's not an accident that the only pristine places left on Earth are on Indigneous territories.   It's because Indigenous peoples are willing to defend Mother Earth.  But this is not a Red Nations struggle, it is a human struggle and we need to all ally up. If you can help us please visit our website and make a small donation.  Wopila.   Resident of the mining area around Crawford, NE, Iris, a sisterhood water watcher not afraid to stand up to Cameco in her small town.  Sadly, many in Crawford are too intimidated to stand up to a giant, multinational, corporation like Cameco, but there are a few brave people who fear undrinkable water more than foreign corporations! Owe Aku International Justice Project Owe Aku Bring Back the Way Our mailing address is: Owe Aku International Justice Project 7685 South Olive Circle Centennial, CO 80112   Our mailing address is: Owe Aku International Justice Project 7685 South Olive Circle Centennial, CO 80112