FINAL REPORT
November 13, 1992
The Inter-Church Uranium Committee has just completed a tour to broaden the
discussions in Saskatchewan about whether to expand the uranium industry
here. The tour consisted of two guests: Lance Hughes, acting Director of a
native controlled organization in Oklahoma called Native Americans for a
Clean Environment (NACE), and Dirk Jan Dullemond who took part in the
European Peace Pilgrimage 1992 (EPP92) by walking 2600 miles across America
to the Nevada Nuclear Weapons test site.
The purpose of the tour was simply to begin dialogue with Saskatchewan
residents about these broader issues. The experience of people all along
the nuclear pathway must be understood by Saskatchewan people so an informed
decision regarding uranium expansion can be made.
As is often the case around the world, Indigenous people are at many stages
along the nuclear pathway, and we are extremely concerned about what may
await people in northern Saskatchewan when the mining has stopped, and all
that is left are the radioactive tailings. We are positive the uranium
companies will be gone and Saskatchewan taxpayers will be left to deal with
the legacy of illness and environmental contamination.
The relationship between Saskatchewan and Oklahoma is not one we are proud
of. Lance lives near a uranium conversion facility called Sequoyah Fuels,
owned and operated by General Atomics. The plant makes uranium
hexaflouride, which is then shipped off to other nuclear facilities for use
in both civilian and military programs. Sequoyah Fuels receives 50% of its
uranium from the mines of Northern Saskatchewan through theT h)T CAMECO
Corporation. Because of the many years of sloppy operations at this
facility, there are 21,000 pounds of uranium in the ground water surrounding
the plant. The facility has operated without proper licenses for the past
several years, and NACE is now involved in legal proceedings in an attempt
to make the facility operate by the laws of the land. The Cherokee Nation,
the second largest tribe in the U.S. has joined NACE in its battle to close
the facility. Cherokee chiefs have sent letters asking Saskatchewan to stop
sending uranium there.
Dirk Jan Dullemond spoke about the nuclear weapons testing carried out on
the land of the Western Shoshone Nation for over 30 years. There have been
over 900 tests conducted above and below ground by the U.S. and Great
Britain. The people there continue to experience high cancer rates directly
resulting from exposure to radiation from the testing. There has been no
compensation and, although the Cold War is over, the military presence is
still very strong in the area. Through facilities such as Sequoyah Fuels in
Oklahoma, Saskatchewan uranium makes its way into nuclear weapons, some of
which are tested in the Nevada desert. The discussion here is focused on
the economic benefits for the province as defined by the nuclear
establishment and the business elite. Lance points out that part of uranium
"economics" for the Navajo is providing compensation for the miners and
their families, as well as building schools and other facilities to care for
the growing number of children born mentally and physically handicapped due
to radiation exposure. As well, he tells of the health survey NACE
conducted in its community showing 50% of the people living near this
facility have some form of cancer.
Although the tour was short, we were able to meet with several northern
Tribal Councils as well as health professionals, politicians and concerned
citizens organizations. Generally the response was good and it is
clear that we need to continue this work. Lance was able to provide much
needed information to northerners about health problems being experienced by
Native Americans, particularly the Navajo in the American southwest who are
now in the post uranium mining era.
We were able to spend a good part of the week at the annual NDP convention
as well. Again, many people had not considered the implications of uranium
mining on people outside Saskatchewan. Lance had the opportunity to speak
several times to delegates and was well received.
ICUC has made some very important contacts with individuals and
organizations in the international community who are affected by
Saskatchewan uranium. We will continue to facilitate exchanges with people
affected by our uranium. It is absolutely essential for Saskatchewan
residents to inform themselves of these connections. It is crucial for
people to make oral or written presentations to the two environmental
assessment review panels currently examining 12 new mines proposed for the
north.
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APPEAL FOR FUNDS
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. has identified ICUC as the "flagship" of the
anti-nuclear movement in Saskatchewan. In order to fulfil our mandate, we
need financial support. Please send cheques payable to the "Inter-Church
Uranium Committee" to the above address. With the support of the Global
community, we will succeed in our collective struggle.
Submitted by:
Stephanie Sydiaha Phillip Penna
Coordinator Coordinator
ICUC/NACE/EPP92 SASK. TOUR Inter-Church Uranium Committee