Mojave Steve Lopez: Ward Valley Direct Action Halted Nuclear Genocide, Poisoning of Colorado River

Fort Mojave tribal member Steve Lopez (seated) leads the sunrise ceremony with Spirit Runners to Ward Valley. | Photo: Greenaction.

Faced with nuclear genocide, the poisoning of the Colorado River, and the destruction of the homeland of the remaining Desert Tortoises, Native Nations stood in Ceremony on the frontline to halt forced removal from Ward Valley.

Article by Brenda Norrell
Transcript from Trespassing
Courtesy Director Carlos DeMenezes
Censored News

The Occupation of Ward Valley halted a nuclear waste dump on sacred land, home to the Desert Tortoise. This week, we celebrate the 20-Year Anniversary of the Occupation.
The widely-censored film Trespassing will be shown during the commemoration.
The strong words of Steve Lopez, Mojave and coordinator of the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance, describe the Occupation as a foundation for all Indian Nations to carry out direct action, in prayer and unity.
Faced with the nuclear genocide of the poisoning of the Colorado River, and the destruction of the homeland of the remaining Desert Tortoises, Five Native Nations -- Mojave, Chemehuevi, Cocopah, Quechan and Colorado River Indian Tribes -- stood in Ceremony, with the Birdsongs, on the frontline to halt forced removal from Ward Valley.
"Our people care about our children, and that's why we're here. Our forethought is to look seven generations ahead, to the unborn," Lopez said.
Steve Lopez' words in Trespassing:
"We have a tie spiritually, culturally, and traditionally in the fact that our songs from the time that we were put here, even before any man was here, that our Creator put us here from the center of existence of Avi Kwa Me. You may know it as Newberry Mountain. And, you know, just for your, educational purposes, we did not migrate over the Bering Strait. Our people came from right there.
And we, and we were sent out from that point. So that disputes that claim anyway. But, my point being here is that we've been here forever, since day one, since time immemorial. And, the Desert Torres, at one time, was a Mojave also. Now that may be hard for you to understand, but even in the fact that you do not believe this, it still doesn't mean that doesn't exist, with significant value to us.
A Foundation for all Indian Tribes
The things that we did out in Ward Valley, have laid down a foundation for all the other Indian tribes across the country to look at this and, and learn from. We used some mechanisms that were never used before such as the abominable justice. We stood strong, under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.

Birdsingers, One of our Biggest Weapons

And what you see today of these Birdsingers, this was one of our biggest weapons. The Bureau Of Land Management were going to come in and remove us, remove our elders. You see some of the girls out here dancing. And, the children. These young, these young children, and along with Amy and her group, the ones that we dedicated this performance to, they stood out there in front.
The thing that we really wanted to stress was that it was a direct action that we needed to get the attention of the White House. And, we did. We didn't break any laws. As a matter of fact, we used the very laws that they gave us, and we told them that if you guys cross us then, then you're not any better than you were when you were breaking the treaties.
And these things carried on as, as Wally was there, we had many other seniors there, standing with us. We had 75, 80-year-old ladies there with us. Our elders they were all there, standing around the secret staffs and the fire. And they stood strong. And all through that time, the weather was pressing us, but we stayed strong and, with the support of all these other people.
Efforts included attempts to reach President Clinton and Congressmen
Yet because of that non-commitment, uh, from the financial standpoint, it's very difficult for them to respond on our behalf. I believe that one thing that we are doing there is we are making these people accountable and responsible that they do have the trust responsibility. They do have a fiduciary responsibility that obligates them to protect us, to provide us with those things that will prevent projects such as nuclear waste to have all this negative impact on us.
By our health and the environment. And protect us as a historical natural resource of the United States government. One thing that we did learn is that a consistently made effort on behalf of these political people to find loopholes. To get us so frustrated that we wanna throw our hands up and just like they say, give up the fight. But also, we've learned that we've got to deal with these people with the understanding that our concerns have to be pushed right in their face.

And I believe that by making allies with these people, they address our positions and our issues with a little bit more concern. And we have to get all the support of their contemporaries and their colleagues. And that's the way that we gotta get this done.
In the face of forced eviction, Ceremony
They're actually going to try to close us down now at 12:01 tonight. Um, we collectively made a determination by the tribal leadership, and the elders over there, that they, they have agreed are going to start a ceremony that's going to, that, that, again, is going to require now your backing because the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) are going to try to come in.
Alright, I'll explain now, again, what kind of situation we're, we're in. Where, like, this closure notice, or, or this camp right here, ground zero. Tonight at eleven-thirty we're going to begin a ceremony that is, under what we believe is our right, we're under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. Now, this, in itself is going to, is going to actually blockade the road coming in, to access to come and get here with, with our people there.
With the coalition members, I'm asking you to do this now if it's agreeable, to put a buffer zone around our people during the ceremony. That way, for those who want to, want to exercise their right for civil disobedience, with whatever kind of toys they got, you know, you guys want to be arrested? Now's your time.
They don't want confrontation, it's not a good media thing.
Waiting out the threats of removal
Yeah, the easier way is, to just let you stay here and ignore you until your food and water supplies run out. They exercise the close-down, which means nobody comes in, they just don't remove you. You know, so the question is, this could go on for two, three, four weeks.
Nuclear Genocide
Steve Lopez speaking. Ward Valley Press Conference. Washington, D.C. No press showed up.
And I believe firmly that, that the United States has not fulfilled its obligation of trust, and they are putting us in a position where it's time immemorial, which means the tribes that have lived on the Colorado River forever, are really impacted and they are threatened for their lives and existence. And this in, in some senses may be a form of genocide, a nuclear genocide.
Because of the fact that the Indian tribes on the Colorado River could be directly affected if contamination from here gets into the Colorado River. We'll be directly affected in that way. We've asked that this Five River Alliance be one cooperative agency which will allow us now to not only have the traditional and heritage part and the cultural part of the four Mojaves and all the other tribes, to be able to have this input which makes a greater statement about our cultural relationship to this land out here.
United, We Stood
These are the things that unite us together, that, under one cause, we gained strength. And this strength carried us through. This gave us the stamina to stop all these people from coming in and continuing to do what they've been doing to all of us. Desecrating our lands, polluting us, and destroying our traditions.
You know, our people are being damaged. It's tough sometimes for all of us because we get, we get frustrated. But this is what we call life. We meet the challenge, and every day is a challenge, a new challenge. And when we think that we can't carry on no more, it's like Wally said, you have to go to somebody else and, and, and have, have them help you.
They will pick you up. They may not even know why you're there. But it takes all of us, again, together. 'Cause, no one person can do all this. Believe me, I know. I've been a one-man army for five years. And we never gave up. And we never gave up hope. Think about these songs here, think about what Wally was telling about, how they continue on and on.
Because they have been with us from time immemorial, everything that you know, and your tradition and your language and whatever. You remember that and, and realize how important it is, and never let it die
Understand this position. You don't have to have science to know that. Our people care about our children, and that's why we're here. Our forethought is to look seven generations ahead, to the unborn. Cause the things we do today will affect, affect that later down the road.

The series at Censored News

The Rhythmic Journey Home: Birdsingers ensured victory at Ward Valley https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-rhythmic-journey-home-birdsingers.html
Mojave Steve Lopez: Ward Valley halted Nuclear Genocide, Poisoning of Colorado River
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/mojave-steve-lopez-ward-valley-direct.html
The Desert Tortoise on Sacred Land, Celebrating the 20-Year Victory at Ward Valley
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-desert-tortoise-on-sacred-land.html
Celebrating Victory at Ward Valley: Corbin Harney 'Sing to the Water'
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/celebrating-victory-at-ward-valley.html
Laguna Pueblo Dorothy Purley Exposed Nuclear Holocaust on Native Lands. Featured in widely-censored Trespassing film to be shown at Ward Valley Celebration, Feb. 23-24, 2018.
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/laguna-pueblo-dorothy-purley-exposed.html

Copyright Steve Lopez
Transcript copyright Carlos DeMenezes, Trespassing
Article copyright Brenda Norrell, Censored News

The Desert Tortoise on Sacred Land: Celebrating Victory at Ward Valley, 20 Years Later

BLM officials (far left) sent to evict activists. Wally Antone (Quechan), right; AIM member (far right), Feburary 13, 1998. | Photo: Greenaction



Quechan Lightning Singers and dancers at front line of occupiers blocking police from entering Ward Valley, February 13, 1998. | Photo: Greenaction.



Activists holding the line at Ward Valley occupation, 1998. | Photo: Molly P. Johnson.

The Desert Tortoise on Sacred Land: Celebrating Victory at Ward Valley, 20 Years Later

Article by Brenda Norrell

Seated in the shade of a Mojave Nation School bus, Dennis Scott spoke of the Turtle Land and the tortoises that silently passed in the noonday sun.
"I'm Mojave. This is our sacred land. It has been for thousands of years. That is the name of our village, Silaye Aheace," he said, pointing to the name on the sign at the camp's entrance.

Silaye Aheace is the Mojave name for mesquite. The resident tribal elder represented the tribes of the Colorado River here and was among those occupying the desert in protest of the proposed nuclear waste dump.

For those who said it is merely wasteland, Scott quietly and reverently responded, "Oh, but there is so much out here."

Beneath the hot sand is a pristine aquifer, the size of Lake Tahoe, and the surface is the home of the endangered desert tortoise.

"Some are no bigger than a Coke can. I saw five of them, without radio transmitters," he said, referring to the transmitters used in an environmental study.

With the only sounds coming from distant aircraft above the bare desert mountains, Scott was surrounded by creosote, yucca, cholla, mesquite and ironwood.

"I like the quiet. I like solitude. Most of the time I like being by myself."

The land is ancestral Mojave land and the tortoises have been here for millions of years. In this Turtle Land, spirit trails or running paths of Colorado River tribal runners remain.

In the choking heat that sears to around 120 degrees in summer, Scott maintained the site without running water or other comforts. The solitude of the site was sometimes shattered by four-wheel riders intent on destroying desert land or turtle hunters seeking cooking ingredients in violation of federal law.

But the greatest threat was the proposed nuclear waste dump, which Scott said threatened to ruin the waters of the Colorado River and pristine ground aquifer. Scott said the transport of nuclear waste endangered the safety of all life forms along the highways of transport.

Written in 1998, this interview was during the Occupation of Ward Valley, which halted the proposed nuclear waste dump.

This series at Censored News:

The Rhythmic Journey Home: Birdsingers ensured victory at Ward Valley https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-rhythmic-journey-home-birdsingers.html
Mojave Steve Lopez: Ward Valley halted Nuclear Genocide, Poisoning of Colorado River
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/mojave-steve-lopez-ward-valley-direct.html
The Desert Tortoise on Sacred Land, Celebrating the 20 Year Victory at Ward Valley
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-desert-tortoise-on-sacred-land.html
Celebrating Victory at Ward Valley: Corbin Harney 'Sing to the Water'
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/celebrating-victory-at-ward-valley.html
Laguna Pueblo Dorothy Purley Exposed Nuclear Holocaust on Native Lands. Featured in widely-censored Trespassing film to be shown at Ward Valley Celebration, Feb. 23-24, 2018. https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/laguna-pueblo-dorothy-purley-exposed.html

Article copyright Brenda Norrell

Celebrating Victory at Ward Valley: Western Shoshone Corbin Harney 'Sing to the Water'

  

(Photo 1)  Corbin Harney, Western Shoshone, Wally Antone, Quechan and Llewellyn Barrackman Fort Mojave. (Photo 2) Curly Has Two Feathers Walks Alone, Navajo leading the morning circle.  Curly was our firekeeper. (Photo 3) Bird Singers and Dancers from Fort Mojave.  (Photo 4) Group picture of the people that were camped at Ground Zero. -- Photos by Molly Johnson

Twenty years ago, the Occupation of Ward Valley halted a proposed nuclear waste dump on sacred land, home to the Desert Tortoise. The upcoming celebration will recall this victory and those who stood for the land, air and water. We remember the words of Western Shoshone Spiritual leader Corbin Harney.

Corbin Harney: 'Sing to the Water'

The Water Song

PBS

My people always have said to me from the beginning of my life, as I remember, to do, to take care of what’s out here, what’s out there on the land. All those things, we have to have ceremonies for. Those are the reasons why I’ve been trying to teach my people, not only my people but the people that survive on all this land. To teach them we have to really start talking to nature. Nature's Way of life is the only way we are going to survive here.

My name’s Corbin Harney. I was born in Idaho, and raised in Idaho and Nevada both. Roamed the country.

“Naraborochi”, that’s in my words, that’s water. Water is something that’s really, we have to appreciate. Those are the reasons why we have to sing about those things, cause if it wasn’t for water, there would be no life on this earth. We have to sing to ‘em, sing to the life of the water, the spirit of the water and so forth. So the water can be happier, the water can continue to flow. We have to make that water spirit at least as happy as can be.

I’m asking the water to continue to flow over the land to give water to all living things.

That’s singing about all the living things on this—that all we are is trickling over our mother earth. “Banoso”, in my language, that’s our mother. Our mother is the one that we’re circling on, everything on this earth. That’s what it’s about, “wanonoawatee”, “wanososhy”, we all are rotating with our mother. So that’s what it is. So everything appreciates each other, we’re supposed to. Appreciating each other, working together, doing things together, living on this mother earth together. We have to appreciate it. It’s really important.

http://www.pbs.org/circleofstories/storytellers/corbin_harney.html

Listen to Water Song:
.https://m.soundcloud.com/poets-org/corbin-harney-water-song

.

In 1998, a historic 113-day occupation of the proposed dumpsite by the Five River Tribes (Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Quechan, Cocopah, and Colorado River Indian Tribes) along with environmental activist were assembled at the site to fight and stop the proposed Ward Valley nuclear waste dump. The 113-day occupation prevented federal police from entering the site as well as prevented the test drilling for the dump that would have desecrated the sacred land of Ward Valley. The occupation ended in victory when the U.S. Department of the Interior rescinded the eviction notice and canceled test drilling. On November 2, 1999, the Interior Department terminated all actions regarding the Ward Valley dump proposal, which officially ended the extensive conflict.

The proposed dump, which would have been in the center of eight wilderness areas, amidst of critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, enclosed by the pristine golden canyons and cave paintings of the Old Woman Mountains, and east of the foothills of the Stepladder Mountains that remain covered in a forest of cholla cacti was utterly eliminated by the coordinated effort of dedicated Native and non-native people joined together for the love of Mother Earth. -- Molly Johnson, Censored News

This series at Censored News:

The Rhythmic Journey Home: Birdsingers ensured victory at Ward Valley

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-rhythmic-journey-home-birdsingers.html

Mojave Steve Lopez: Ward Valley halted Nuclear Genocide, Poisoning of Colorado River

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/mojave-steve-lopez-ward-valley-direct.html

The Desert Tortoise on Sacred Land, Celebrating the 20-Year Victory at Ward Valley

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-desert-tortoise-on-sacred-land.html

Celebrating Victory at Ward Valley: Corbin Harney 'Sing to the Water'

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/celebrating-victory-at-ward-valley.html

Laguna Pueblo Dorothy Purley Exposed Nuclear Holocaust on Native Lands. Featured in widely-censored Trespassing film to be shown at Ward Valley Celebration, Feb. 23-24, 2018.

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/laguna-pueblo-dorothy-purley-exposed.html

Article copyright Brenda Norrell

PINE RIDGE -- Celebrating Young Social Change Makers, Gathering on the Homeland

CELEBRATING YOUNG SOCIAL CHANGE MAKERS OF YESTERDAY and TODAY

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, South Dakota

The "Gathering on the Homeland: Solidarity, Decolonization and Celebrating Acts of Resistance" is a two-day event being held in the heart of native resistance in Indian Country, the Oglala Lakota Nation.

"Along with the beauty and power of 10,000 people coming together in 2016 along the riverbanks at Cannon Ball, ND we experienced the chaos that emerged, as it became apparent that the understanding of MOVEMENT was as diverse as the people gathered there. We have brought together folks from many Red Nations and allies from the four directions who have led, founded, and/or participated in movements in order to examine, explore, and discuss how their experience can teach young emerging social change makers, community leaders, students, families, and our youth," stated Debra White Plume, Co-Organizer and Director of Owe Aku.

The gathering, in conjunction with the 45^th Anniversary of the 1973 Liberation of Wounded Knee, is scheduled for February 24^th a25^th at Wounded Knee District School in Manderson. 

Surviving veterans of the occupation of Wounded Knee, along with the decendants of Wounded Knee veteran activists will celebrate 45 years of modern resistance against the injustices brought by colonial oppressors throughout Turtle Island. The annual Four-Direction Walk to the Wounded Knee Massacre Site will start at 10 a.m. on February 27^th.  The Independent Oglala Nation Powwow and meal will follow the walk at Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD.

"Native artists from California and Arizona will host a youth workshop to create art that teaches not only art skills, but the philosophy of art and the preservation of ancient life ways. There are also a number of native musicians coming to perform a free youth concert who promote an alcohol/drug free lifestyle as well as using music to inspire youth to reclaim their ancestral identities," added White Plume.

Dine'/Oglala/Omaha rap artist Nataanii Means, The Peace Poets of Bronx, NYC, Annishinabe singer/songwriter Tracy Bone and other artists to be announced are scheduled to perform. A range of activities are featured at the event. The schedule includes:

February 24th:

 Noon:                         "GuREALIa Media on the Frontline"

Panel includes: Rose Stiff Arm (Canada), Lorenzo Serna (Black Snake Killaz), Rosebud White Plume (Lakota Media Project)

                                    4 Film Reviews & 4 Film Makers

                                    Do's and Don'ts on the front line

                                    Discussions/Q&A

                                    Indigenous Resistance Media Caucus

                                    Native Artist in Action- Resistance Art Workshop for Youth

7 pm-11 pm:               "Sounds of Resistance" Youth Concert (free admission)

February 25^th:

Noon:                          "What is Movement?"

Panel includes: Nina Waste' (co-founder of Idle No More), Kim Smith & Nakai (Dine' Activists), Mark Tilsen (SR Oceti Sakowin Camp), Tyrell Iron Shell (Int'l Indigenous Youth Council), Deja Red Cloud (SR Oceti Sakowin Camp)

                                    Panel Discussion

                                    Indigenous Women's Caucus

The Peace Poets, Tracy Bone and other artists were confirming at press time. 

February 27^TH:           

10 am:                         Four Direction Walk, Horse Ride and Caravan into Wounded Knee

                                    Independent Oglala Nation Pow Wow @ W.K.D.S.

Gathering on the Homeland event is sponsored by Owe Aku and Red Robin Hood Fund.  Contact coordinator Olowan Martinez at (605) 407-1381, Debra White Plume at (605) 454-2105 or visit www.oweakuinternational.org for more information.

Four-direction walk & powwow, contact AIM Grassroots at (605) 381-3535 or Iva Black Elk at (605) 441-6657.

"The more dependent you become on centralized power, the more easily you are led around."- Russell Means (Oglala Lakota).

Laguna Pueblo Dorothy Purley Exposed Nuclear Holocaust on Native Lands, in Censored 'Trespassing' Film

Dorothy Purley's words will again ring out as one victory is celebrated in the Mojave Desert at Ward Valley

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

Before her death from cancer, Laguna Pueblo uranium miner Dorothy Purley, exposed how the Anaconda Jackpile uranium mine sent Pueblos to their deaths, working in the uranium mines without protective clothing.
Dorothy's words still ring out in the film Trespassing, which will be shown during the Ward Valley Commemoration on Feb. 23 -- 24, 2018.
Native American Nations -- Mojave, Chemehuevi, Cocopah, Quechan, and Colorado Indian Tribes -- halted a nuclear waste dump. The nearly four-month occupation in 1998 at Ward Valley in the Mojave Desert, protected sacred land, home to the endangered desert tortoise. The American Indian Movement served as the security.
The film Trespassing was censored in most theaters after its release in 2005. The film tells the story of the nuclear holocaust in Indian country. It includes Western Shoshone Spiritual Leader Corbin Harney speaking on the genocidal ecocide of the Nuclear Test Site on Western Shoshone land.
Dorothy awakened Native communities to truth and her voice rang out around the world. She was among those who gathered in Tucson to create the Indigenous Alliance without Borders in 1997.
Today, Dorothy's words are timeless, as new threats are on every horizon, globally and in Indian country.
The old threats remain as strewn radioactive tailings remain scattered on Indian lands, from Pueblo and Navajo lands to Lakota lands, and in the Northwest.
Dorothy passed to the Spirit World on Dec. 2, 1999, at her home in Paguate.
Many others have passed to the Spirit World who appear in the film Trespassing, Llewellyn Barrackman, Betty Barrackman, Basil Fass, Fort Mojave, Mamie Harper, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Corbin Harney and Bill Rosse, both Western Shoshone.

Dorothy's words in Trespassing
DOROTHY PURLEY

People should be aware that it could be happening in your part of your country. We're not the only ones that are in this situation.

Dorothy Purley, former Uranium Miner, Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico

A lot of people across are having the same problems. And I think we should really, truly find out, you know, if you're being, um, poisoned in an, in any way, especially through this radiation. I think that a lot of us are being aware of right now of what's going on. Way back, you know, it was kind of hard, not being well-educated, not knowing what to expect.

DOROTHY PURLEY

When they used to blast, all that yellow stuff would come toward the village. You know, we Native Indians have the things like drying food out in the sun, and, (stammers) our meats and stuff. And yet, we breathed it and ate it. And, you know, we weren't aware of it. I feel betrayed because we weren't really told. We weren't really made aware of what we were getting ourselves into. I think if the mine hadn't opened, I don't think any of our lives would have been in jeopardy at all.

DOROTHY PURLEY

They've destroyed enough of our land, and that's all they're out, is, they mean to destroy other Native American lands, you know. That's why I'm gonna say. Why are they doing this? Are they trying to get rid of us? I don't think that's fair.

.

In 1998, a historic 113-day occupation of the proposed dumpsite by the Five River Tribes (Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Quechan, Cocopah, and Colorado River Indian Tribes) along with environmental activist were assembled at the site to fight and stop the proposed Ward Valley nuclear waste dump. The 113-day occupation prevented federal police from entering the site as well as prevented the test drilling for the dump that would have http://mondoweiss.net/2018/02/extracting-organizing-palestine/amp/?__twitter_impression=true the sacred land of Ward Valley. The occupation ended in victory when the U.S. Department of the Interior rescinded the eviction notice and canceled test drilling. On November 2, 1999, the Interior Department terminated all actions regarding the Ward Valley dump proposal, which officially ended the extensive conflict.

The proposed dump, which would have been in the center of eight wilderness areas, amidst of critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, enclosed by the pristine golden canyons and cave paintings of the Old Woman Mountains, and east of the foothills of the Stepladder Mountains that remain covered in a forest of cholla cacti was utterly eliminated by the coordinated effort of dedicated Native and non-native people joined together for the love of Mother Earth.

--Molly, Censored News

More:

The proposed hazardous waste dump on sacred land at Ward Valley, California, was halted by the occupation and lawsuits.

http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/ward.html

Statement at the Hague Appeal for Peace Conference The Hague

Holland, May 1999

Dorothy Purley
Laguna-Acoma Coalition

(Delivered by Carletta Garcia)

Good Afternoon,

It is an honor to visit your beautiful country. My name is Dorothy Purley. I am a Native American Pueblo Indian form the United States of America. I live in the Southwest region called New Mexico.
I live on an Indian reservation where the U.S. government forced my ancestors to live so many years ago. The early European settlers forced us off our lands and claimed them for their own. We were finally placed in areas that were usually uninhabitable. What the government did not realize was that these areas were rich in natural resources. The community where I live in is called the Laguna Pueblo. It is where the world’s largest open pit uranium mine once was.
In 1935 when the mine first opened, it was truly a godsend to my poor native people. We have always lived in poverty, which seems to be a government standard for Native American Indians. The money that was earned enabled us to feed our families and for the first time and to, become independent. Yes, times were good back then. But, what the government forgot to tell us was that the uranium was dangerous and would become hazardous to our health. They did not tell us that it would also bring death and destruction to others.
Our health was not only the only thing that was in jeopardy at that time. The explosives that they used to dismantle the uranium caused our homes to become unsafe. Our village was just 1000 feet from the mining area. We could smell the sulfur and other blasting compounds that they used in their explosives. They usually conducted their blasts during our noontime and evening meals, when our village women would dry their fruit and vegetable during the harvest season. A fine layer of dust would cover our food, but we simply rinsed it off not knowing that it was toxic.
In 1975 I became an employee at the Anaconda Uranium mine. I was now a single parent and had to support my daughter. I was employed as a truck driver and hauled high-grade uranium ore to the milling site. I was exposed to high amounts of radiation and did not know this at that time. We would eat our lunches while sitting atop the high-grade ore. We were never advised of any safety techniques or given any safety equipment at the time.
During my employment at the time, I never realized that there was any danger and was never advised about any of the harmful effects of radiation. They never told us that they were going to use this uranium to make a weapon of mass destruction. The company never gave us any information whatsoever. Just recently, our tribe learned that the government and the mining operation knew about the danger that mining uranium ore would bring. As early as 1935 when the mine first opened, there were documents from scientists warning them to minimize exposure to the uranium ore. It said that people should not be exposed for more than two weeks without potential harm. I worked at the mine for eight years. Some of my people retired after thirty years at the mine.
Today my people on the Laguna reservation are suffering from numerous effects of radiation poisoning. We have seen a rise in mental and physical abnormalities. Our cancer rate is rapidly increasing. I myself have been fighting cancer for 6 years now. I have gone through high-dose chemotherapy on three different occasions. I am again in remission for the time being. When I am in better health, I travel as much as possible. I try to help people understand that there is extreme danger where there is radiation. I use myself and my family as an example of what can happen.
Just recently my daughter’s husband was diagnosed with rare skin cancer.
Although he never worked at the uranium mine he was exposed to radiation in many ways. His older brother worked for the underground mine, and dust from his clothing would contaminate their household. My son-in-law also lived next to the railroad which carried the radioactive high-grade ore to the mill site. The distance of 60 miles or more alongside the tracks is still highly contaminated to this day. Many more of my people will become ill with cancer and other rare diseases as time goes on. I pray every day that such devastation will never again occur on my beautiful sacred lands.
My greatest hope is that mankind will realize that we need to keep our Earth Mother as healthy as we can. I know that there are better ways to produce power by using solar energy, wind and water. These are natural powers that our Great Spirit has given. We were meant to use these. By doing this we will keep ourselves healthy and have a peaceful existence.
I strongly believe that we do not need any more nuclear weapons. There are never any winners of war, only victims. We do not need any more deaths and destruction in our world. We have had enough already. The only true way to live is through peace and harmony. My hope is that by sharing my story, that it will inspire others to make better decisions for themselves and their loves ones. I wish you long life, peace and happiness. Thank you.
3 December 1999
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform friends and other activists of Dorothy Purley's death last night.
Dorothy, whose family and community have been devastated by weapons and power-related uranium mining in New Mexico, died of congestive heart failure after being hospitalized for several weeks. Dorothy had struggled against aggressive cancers and the nuclearism that caused them by meeting and speaking with people across the United States, and she took her clear and powerful message to Europe and Japan.
We were privileged to include Dorothy in the Global Hibakusha delegation to the Hague Appeal for Peace conference and to be able to share her with New England peace activists last August. When hospitalization due to cancer prevented her from traveling to the Hague, her daughter Carletta Garcia came in her place and read Dorothy's statement which appears above. And, when she was well enough to travel again, she joined us in New England.

Link  This series at Censored News: The Rhythmic Journey Home: Birdsingers ensured victory at Ward Valley https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-rhythmic-journey-home-birdsingers.html Mojave Steve Lopez: Ward Valley halted Nuclear Genocide, Poisoning of Colorado River https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/mojave-steve-lopez-ward-valley-direct.html The Desert Tortoise on Sacred Land, Celebrating the 20 Year Victory at Ward Valley https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-desert-tortoise-on-sacred-land.html Celebrating Victory at Ward Valley: Corbin Harney 'Sing to the Water' https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/celebrating-victory-at-ward-valley.html Laguna Pueblo Dorothy Purley Exposed Nuclear Holocaust on Native Lands. Featured in widely-censored Trespassing film to be shown at Ward Valley Celebration, Feb. 23-24, 2018. https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2018/02/laguna-pueblo-dorothy-purley-exposed.html

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Cecilia Martin: Lakota Matriarch, American Indian Movement Grandmother Passes at 98

Independent Lakota Nation

Strong Heart Warrior Society

P.O. Box 512 Hill City, SD 57745, Unceeded lakota Territory

ILN Press

February 16, 2018    |   

Strong Heart Warrior Society

Contact: Canupa Gluha Mani 

Cecilia Martin: Lakota Matriarch, American Indian Movement Grandmother Dies at 98

February 15, 2018.  On the morning of February 12, 2018, Oyate Wyokb Win (Lakota) or Lorraine Cecilia Martin (english), the fierce matriarch of the Tetuwan Lakota Oyate on Pine Ridge Reservation and last living Grandmother of the American Indian Movement (AIM), passed over into the Spirit World near Custer, South Dakota in Lakota Territory. 

She had recently told her grandchildren she was tired and it was her time to go. She was at least 98 years old but was thought to be considerably older since records were not kept at the time of her birth.

She left behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and touched the lives of many more Lakota people.

Two wakes will be held for Cecilia.  A wake in Pine Ridge will start at 10:00am on February 18^th at Billy Mills Hall. The following day on February 19th, a wake will start at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lords parish hall in Porcupine Community. Her burial will occur the following day next to her home in Porcupine.  Oyate Wyokb Win was the matriarch of the Lakota Cante Tenza or Strong Heart Warrior Society and the warrior society will be handling the memorial events. 

EARLY LIFE

Oyate Wyokb Win was born in Porcupine Community to mother Grace Little Crow, descendent to Fort Laramie treaty signer Little Crow, as well as Crazy Horse's wife Black Shaw.

Her father Paul Moose was descended from the fierce warrior No Ears, who was killed in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre and lies buried at the Wounded Knee Memorial.

Cecilia lived her early years in Porcupine but in 1929 was stolen from her home in Porcupine and placed in the Holy Rosary Mission Boarding School where she faced heinous abuse by Catholic missionary nuns.  She struggled with the legacy of boarding school abuse throughout her life but never gave up Wolakota - the Lakota language and way of life.

She had three brothers and four sisters including her brother Bill who drove for the infamous bank robber John Dillinger, and brother Charlie who was a well-known horse jockey.

Following her marriage to Roy Martin, she lived in Slim Buttes on Pine Ridge.  In addition to raising three of her own children, she raised children from other families. She also worked with Roy to help bring customary Lakota justice to the reservation.  During this time she was recorded as an expert marksman and still holds the record for longest bull's-eye with a snub-nose 38 revolver in the state of Nebraska.

ACTIVISM

Like many of those traditional Lakota born during the late 1800s and early 1900s, she was active in resistance to white racism and colonialism in Lakota Territory.

In 1969, Cecilia and her family joined Bob Yellow Bird and other Lakota elders in Crawford, Nebraska to protest the threatened desecration and destruction of Crazy Horse's burial site by a cement corporation. This protest was among the first in the series of increasing militancy and activism by Lakota and other Indigenous activists following years or discrimination and mistreatment at the hands of white America.

In 1970, she and many in her family were part of the group led by Lehman Brightman, Minnie Two Shoes, Archie Fire, and Dennis Banks in a three month takeover of Mount Rushmore to protest treaties broken by the United States Government and the takeover by the U.S. Park Service of sacred Lakota land.

Following the 1972 take-over of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation by Dickie Wilson and his private militia known as Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOON Squads), in February 1973, Cecilia joined Russell Means, Frank Fools Crow, Dennis Banks, and about 200 AIM and grassroots Lakota in the 71 day occupation of Wounded Knee community.

In the years following Wounded Knee, Cecilia became known for her fiery attacks on the discrimination faced by traditional and grassroots Lakota Oyate and the corruption by the Bureau of Indian Affairs supported Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST).  In 2000, she helped lead the occupation of the Red Cloud Administrative Building in attempts to uncover evidence of mass fraud and embezzlement that was impoverishing poor Lakota Oyate in the outer districts.

Again in 2011, she helped lead the 34 day occupation of the Porcupine Elderly Meals Building to protest  mistreatment by program staff,  unsafe building conditions, and food served to elders that contained insects and mouse droppings. Promises to replace the condemned building by the OST were never honored and Cecilia openly questioned what it would take for the elders in Porcupine to be treated with dignity and respect.

In 2012, she joined other Lakota grandmothers in formally charging the Oglala Sioux Tribe Tribal Council with elder abuse, neglect, and chronic mistreatment due to lack of food, housing, and support. Their complaint was illegally rejected and tribal laws against elder abuse were ignored to protect tribal officials. 

Despite the lawless and corrupt nature of OST government and the inhuman conditions it created, Oyate Wyokb Win continued to call tribal offices and attend Tribal Council meetings in support of the grassroots Oyate. She provided inspiration to younger grandmothers and grassroots Lakota people and could offer a wry laugh and twinkling eye when amused.

APPEARANCE IN MOVIES

As a well-known and steely activist of the people, Cecilia was featured in the documentaries 500 Nations (1995), Battle for White Clay (2008), Pine Ridge: Beauty and Despair (2011), and Red Cry (2013). During Red Cry, Cecilia described the inhumane conditions faced by traditional and grassroots elders on Pine Ridge, "It's like we are living in hell, the way things are."

Cecilia also appeared in the dramatic mystery film Thunderheart (1992), a fictional, loosely based portrayal of events relating to the Wounded Knee incident in 1973.

LATER YEARS

Repeated mistreatment and neglect of elders by the Oglala Sioux Tribe took its toll and Oyate Wyokb Win's health waned during her last few years. Never comfortable speaking the english language, she said before she died, " I want to be remembered as someone who held on to language and tradition."

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The Independent Lakota Nation continues the inter-generational movement to assert Lakota independence and grows from past efforts by Lakota chiefs, elders, treaty councils, and more than 165 years of resistance to illegal settlement on unceeded Lakota.