http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5idv3ycvYhOo46VYuaI8kGAZYGyrA
Above, I have attached a hyperlink to a news article covering the ongoing struggle between Tibet and China for "autonomy" or full-independence. I will continue to edit this post later.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Midnite Mine
The Spokane Native Americans were forcibly moved off of their land in the 1880s to a small chunk of land that the United States government thought was arid. 70 years later the US government discovered uranium in the Spokane Indian Reservation (this uranium mine has been named Midnite Mine). During the 60s and 70s, the community's economy boomed with the increase in jobs. This short-lived success crashed after the demand for uranium decreased; the government and the mining corporations abandoned the reservation, leaving people jobless and the community spattered with radiative wreckage.
Beginning the 1980s, community members began connecting the dots; there were clearly higher instances of cancer closer to deserted mining roads and exposed ore. These observations sparked a reservation-wide activism, seeking reparations from the federal government. It took until 2006 to pressure the EPA into declaring the mine a Superfund site (which has yet to be cleaned by the government, let alone "surveyed"). Spokane activists are still pressuring the federal government to come out and educate individuals who may qualify for a congressional enactment that gives uranium workers (who mined before 1972) $100,000.
Deb Abrahamson, a tribal activist leader, states that it is near impossible to get in contact with federal officials. If a complaint is filed against the Health Dept. or the EPA, often the official argue against any claims made by a tribe representative, rendering the effort futile and lost. Little by little, however, attention is being drawn to the Midnite Mine case and the government moves closer and closer to full reparations and full cleanup.
The Spokane Indian Reservation's Midnite Mine case is an example of how peaceful grassroots efforts can seem futile in the face of mammoth government and corporations; but little by little resistance to the government's neglect can result in small victories.
In the meantime, the EPA advises the Spokane people to reduce the use of hunting, berry-picking, small-scale farming, fishing and use of spring water for sweat lodges due to the carcinogens that linger in these cultural pillars.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2004191779_pacificpuranium24.html
http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/cleanup.nsf/9f3c21896330b4898825687b007a0f33/25f296f579940d8b88256744000327a5!OpenDocument
Beginning the 1980s, community members began connecting the dots; there were clearly higher instances of cancer closer to deserted mining roads and exposed ore. These observations sparked a reservation-wide activism, seeking reparations from the federal government. It took until 2006 to pressure the EPA into declaring the mine a Superfund site (which has yet to be cleaned by the government, let alone "surveyed"). Spokane activists are still pressuring the federal government to come out and educate individuals who may qualify for a congressional enactment that gives uranium workers (who mined before 1972) $100,000.
Deb Abrahamson, a tribal activist leader, states that it is near impossible to get in contact with federal officials. If a complaint is filed against the Health Dept. or the EPA, often the official argue against any claims made by a tribe representative, rendering the effort futile and lost. Little by little, however, attention is being drawn to the Midnite Mine case and the government moves closer and closer to full reparations and full cleanup.
The Spokane Indian Reservation's Midnite Mine case is an example of how peaceful grassroots efforts can seem futile in the face of mammoth government and corporations; but little by little resistance to the government's neglect can result in small victories.
In the meantime, the EPA advises the Spokane people to reduce the use of hunting, berry-picking, small-scale farming, fishing and use of spring water for sweat lodges due to the carcinogens that linger in these cultural pillars.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2004191779_pacificpuranium24.html
http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/cleanup.nsf/9f3c21896330b4898825687b007a0f33/25f296f579940d8b88256744000327a5!OpenDocument
Monday, October 20, 2008
Colonialism and Hawaii (part 1)
The very definition of the word colonialism is sketchy: "the control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or people (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/colonialism)," "the extension of a nation's over territory beyond its borders by the establishment of either or exploitation colonies in which indigenous populations are directly ruled, displaced, or exterminated (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonialism)," or "the practice of domination (http://www.science.uva.nl/~seop/entries/colonialism/)." No matter what definition you choose to adopt when writing about colonialism (anywhere), the very topic brings up negative feelings for all.Colonialism has become a "Western" tradition starting as far back as the Crusades and continuing to present day America. A tradition of inhabiting/exploring new lands and staying to "make them better" or to "help civilize the people." I am not a Native Hawaiian by lineage. I am a haole (foreigner) , raised in Hawaii by a community of hanai (adopted) ohana (family). I am not adopted (in the Western sense of the word), I do have a family in which I am genetically related to but my extended family are the people that molded me into the person that I am today. My "aunties" and "uncles" encompassed a vast assembly of wisdom that was always readily available despite the fact that I was a constant reminder to them that their homelands may never be the same. To me, the native Hawaiian population exemplifies the ideal of peaceful resistance. I stand with them in spirit through their struggles. Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono. (The life of the land is preserved in righteousness. State Motto).
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