Cultural and Psychological Impact of Uranium Mining

This special lecture presentation will explore the cultural and psychological impacts of uranium mining and contamination on Navajo people. There are over 500 abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation. Navajo people in some communities have learned that their water has been contaminated for years without their knowledge. As recently as 2015, the school district in Sanders, Arizona, had to shut off the water in their schools. Many Navajos have seen loved ones suffer from illnesses as a result of radiation exposure. This presentation will explore how these kinds of traumatic experiences impact people’s culture and way of life.

Speakers for this presentation are Navajo Nation member and NAU graduate student in Educational Psychology Davonna Blackhorse, and Ann Collier, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at NAU.

This event is part of Hope and Trauma in a Poisoned Land, the new exhibition that explores the impact of uranium mining on Navajo lands and people. The art exhibition will feature work by more than two dozen artists, including Navajo and Native artists. It will be open to the public August 15 – October 28, 2017.