Don't Mine Me
Don't Mine Me is a documentary about the history of uranium mining on the Navajo Indian Reservation in the Southwest United States.
At the end of WWII, the United States encouraged uranium mining production. Several large uranium deposits were found on the Navajo Reservation and many Navajo men were employed to work these mines. Disregarding the known health risks resulting from exposure to uranium, the United States failed to inform the Navajo workers about the dangers and to regulate the mining to minimize contamination. Several mine workers and families on the reservation have suffered with numerous amounts of health problems, some even fatal, from environmental contamination. For decades the government failed to improve conditions and to inform workers of the dangers.
The effects of uranium mining still exist on the Navajo reservation today and still haunt hundreds of Navajos a year. The health and environmental risks are extremely severe, not only contaminating the men who work in the mines, but numerous Navajo's in the surrounding areas as well through contaminated groundwater. Approximately 15,000 people on the Navajo reservation live without running water and rely on this groundwater from the wells for everyday life. Although people are finally starting to recognize the severity of the situation, it is still a matter of questioning the humanity of the United States Government and their blatant disregard for an entire group of people.
At the end of WWII, the United States encouraged uranium mining production. Several large uranium deposits were found on the Navajo Reservation and many Navajo men were employed to work these mines. Disregarding the known health risks resulting from exposure to uranium, the United States failed to inform the Navajo workers about the dangers and to regulate the mining to minimize contamination. Several mine workers and families on the reservation have suffered with numerous amounts of health problems, some even fatal, from environmental contamination. For decades the government failed to improve conditions and to inform workers of the dangers.
The effects of uranium mining still exist on the Navajo reservation today and still haunt hundreds of Navajos a year. The health and environmental risks are extremely severe, not only contaminating the men who work in the mines, but numerous Navajo's in the surrounding areas as well through contaminated groundwater. Approximately 15,000 people on the Navajo reservation live without running water and rely on this groundwater from the wells for everyday life. Although people are finally starting to recognize the severity of the situation, it is still a matter of questioning the humanity of the United States Government and their blatant disregard for an entire group of people.
