Tohono O'odham Ofelia Rivas at White Mesa Ute Sacred Walk: An Offering to Mother Earth

Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, encouraging walkers.

Tohono O'odham Ofelia Rivas at White Mesa Ute Sacred Walk

An Offering to Mother Earth

Transcribed by Censored News

"Every step that you take on this Mother Earth is a sacred step, every step is a prayer, every step is an offering, every inch of this Mother Earth is Turtle Island, it has the remains of our Ancestors, every one of these people that are here today, people from this area, people from the surrounding area, the Indigenous People."

Standing next to Ute Grandmother Thelma Whiskers, Ofelia said, "She looks like she is by herself, but from generations since the beginning of the Earth, her ancestors are standing behind her."

'Water is Life' White Mesa Ute Spiritual March Against Uranium Mill

“This is our home and the home of our ancestors – we are the caretakers of this land and the waters beneath it," said Yolanda Badback, White Mesa Concerned Community.
"They dug up our ancestors who were buried there."
Describing the dangerous disposal of radioactive waste, Badback said, "We don't drink the tap water here, we go out and purchase our water."
Badback expressed her deep appreciation for the large crowd that came to walk with her. She said they are continuing this fight for the future generations.
"I don't want it to expand anymore," she said of the plans to bring in radioactive waste from more regions.
Badback said the Native medicine plants are no longer growing.
Badback's mother, Thelma Whiskers, who has spent her life here, thanked everyone for coming.

Water is Life
White Mesa Ute Spiritual March Against Uranium Mill

Article by Brenda Norrell

Photos by Grand Canyon Trust

French translation by Christine Prat

"The White Mesa uranium mill would not be allowed to operate near a wealthy white neighborhood in Salt Lake City, and San Juan County's Native American communities deserve the same treatment.” – Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy, Diné, San Juan County Commission.