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| Indigenous and allies in front of Energy Fuels uranium mill. Photo Bradley Angel |
By Bradley Angel/Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice
Censored News, Oct. 19, 2026
WHITE MESA UTE, Utah -- In a powerful and inspiring day of solidarity and action on October 17th, White Mesa Ute Community members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe were joined by Indigenous People and allies from across the southwest in the 10th Annual White Mesa Spiritual Walk and Protest against Energy Fuels and their uranium “mill” and mines. About 250 people participated, including tribal members from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Havasupai, Navajo Nation, Acoma Pueblo, Gila River Indian Community, and Quechan.
Located in southern Utah, the White Mesa Ute Community is next to Energy Fuels’ uranium mill that has become an international radioactive waste disposal site. Amid the Trump administration and State of Utah’s push to boost uranium and nuclear power, more uranium is being trucked from the Energy Fuels’ La Sal Mines Complex about 60 miles to the mill, and at least 72 new mining claims have been staked on lands cut from Bears Ears National Monument. Uranium ore is also shipped from Energy Fuels’ Pinyon Plain mine near the Grand Canyon, a mine opposed by the Havasupai Tribe and many other Indigenous and non-Native allies.
Trucks hauling uranium ore are a constant presence on Highway 191 through the White Mesa Community, the same road White Mesa children travel to school, and at least two uranium haul trucks have crashed on the Navajo Nation this year. The waste from all this uranium-ore processing is dumped in pits near the White Mesa Community. As far away as Madagascar, Indigenous people strongly oppose Energy Fuels’ operations.
The grassroots tribal member organization White Mesa Concerned Community hosted the Spiritual Walk and Protest that began with a rally in front of the White Mesa Community Center, followed by a five mile walk and caravan to Energy Fuels’ front gate. The participants then joined in a round dance, filling the entrance road to the mill/dump. White Mesa Utes sang traditional songs as everyone vowed to continue the fight.
As a sign of increased opposition to Energy Fuels’ “mill” and mining operations, this 10th Annual event was the largest ever.
White Mesa residents are escalating their campaign in the face of increased transportation of uranium through their small community, and the continued processing and dumping of uranium that contaminates the groundwater and pollutes the air and land. The mill/dump was built literally on top of ancient burials and sacred sites including ceremonial kivas, many of which have been destroyed and desecrated. The company is hoping to expand their operations next to White Mesa, starting work so they can begin to process rare earth minerals which will pose an increased risk to the health of people, wildlife, the environment, and sacred sites.
The tribes and allies have vowed to continue the resistance and are expanding their fight for health and justice.
WHITE MESA UTE, Utah -- In a powerful and inspiring day of solidarity and action on October 17th, White Mesa Ute Community members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe were joined by Indigenous People and allies from across the southwest in the 10th Annual White Mesa Spiritual Walk and Protest against Energy Fuels and their uranium “mill” and mines. About 250 people participated, including tribal members from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Havasupai, Navajo Nation, Acoma Pueblo, Gila River Indian Community, and Quechan.
Located in southern Utah, the White Mesa Ute Community is next to Energy Fuels’ uranium mill that has become an international radioactive waste disposal site. Amid the Trump administration and State of Utah’s push to boost uranium and nuclear power, more uranium is being trucked from the Energy Fuels’ La Sal Mines Complex about 60 miles to the mill, and at least 72 new mining claims have been staked on lands cut from Bears Ears National Monument. Uranium ore is also shipped from Energy Fuels’ Pinyon Plain mine near the Grand Canyon, a mine opposed by the Havasupai Tribe and many other Indigenous and non-Native allies.
Trucks hauling uranium ore are a constant presence on Highway 191 through the White Mesa Community, the same road White Mesa children travel to school, and at least two uranium haul trucks have crashed on the Navajo Nation this year. The waste from all this uranium-ore processing is dumped in pits near the White Mesa Community. As far away as Madagascar, Indigenous people strongly oppose Energy Fuels’ operations.
The grassroots tribal member organization White Mesa Concerned Community hosted the Spiritual Walk and Protest that began with a rally in front of the White Mesa Community Center, followed by a five mile walk and caravan to Energy Fuels’ front gate. The participants then joined in a round dance, filling the entrance road to the mill/dump. White Mesa Utes sang traditional songs as everyone vowed to continue the fight.
As a sign of increased opposition to Energy Fuels’ “mill” and mining operations, this 10th Annual event was the largest ever.
White Mesa residents are escalating their campaign in the face of increased transportation of uranium through their small community, and the continued processing and dumping of uranium that contaminates the groundwater and pollutes the air and land. The mill/dump was built literally on top of ancient burials and sacred sites including ceremonial kivas, many of which have been destroyed and desecrated. The company is hoping to expand their operations next to White Mesa, starting work so they can begin to process rare earth minerals which will pose an increased risk to the health of people, wildlife, the environment, and sacred sites.
The tribes and allies have vowed to continue the resistance and are expanding their fight for health and justice.
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| Our children need clean water to drink and clean air to breathe. Your radioactive waste is not welcome here.” –Yolanda Badback, White Mesa Concerned Community. Photo Bradley Angel, Greenaction |
“They want to expand the mill’s waste pits south towards our reservation. We are standing up and doing whatever we can to stop that from happening. Our children need clean water to drink and clean air to breathe. Your radioactive waste is not welcome here.” –Yolanda Badback, White Mesa Concerned Community.
“The water under the mill is becoming more and more polluted and is moving toward our community. The acidity of the water is increasing, and heavy metals are rising. We used to drink the spring water for ceremonial purposes. We don’t do that anymore. We used to hunt for animals near our homes; we used to gather plants for baskets, and to eat. We don’t do that anymore as well.” – Anferny Cly, White Mesa Concerned Community.
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| Photo Bradley Angel, Greenaction |
For more information: www.protectwhitemesa.org and wwwgreenaction.org
Greenaction/Censored News 2026