The state of things and nuclear issues right now is a mess and almost seems hopeless at times. On one hand you have leftover nuclear issues dating back almost 100 years at this point in time and on the other hand you have a push for new reactors/nuclear bombs and new uranium mining. This second hand is problematic for many reasons but one that sticks out is the current and historical legacy of impacts upon Indigenous Communities from the nuclear industry that has never been addressed or handled. This is some bs when you realize that the new nuclear issues will impact the same folks as it has as well as be spread out to new communities that didn’t have these things there before.

For me this first paragraph weighs heavily on my conscience. That's why when I heard that there was gonna be a Gathering of Frontline and Affected Peoples and was invited I knew CRAFT had to go. It had been a minute since I had been to the SW. The last time I was there I was learning about how Indigenous Peoples and the land had been affected by the nuclear industry. It was an experience that changed me forever.

This time around, I was invited on behalf of CRAFT to attend the Southwest Uranium Gathering in Albuquerque in April. This event brought trusted frontline groups and individuals from the Southwest and other strategic/impacted areas that work on uranium and nuclear issues with an Indigenous lens. On my flight we flew over a giant open pit style of mine and it reinforced the reality of things more.

As we know, this administration, the Dept. of Energy (DOE), and the nuclear industry are diving head first into new uranium mining and fuel fabrication in the Southwest and other locations for small modular nuclear reactors and new nuclear power plants.

All of the people who were invited and present currently work on and/or are impacted by old nuclear issues, like the ones we usually share about. We shared space, listened to one another about challenges and wins, as well as, concerns about what's to come and what we can do to stand stronger together. We worked out a statement of solidarity to help guide and navigate through the times ahead together. This Statement contains our Solidarity Measures and Recommendations on things moving forward. This was an important task to collectively work on as we can use this as a base to build on in this work and share with our allies so they can be in Solidarity as well. It will be released after it is finalized soon. I look forward to sharing it with you all and beyond.

I had felt a bit overwhelmed and alone before this Gathering but my Spirit was rejuvenated being with my Peoples who understand what this is all about. From dinner with friends to breakout session discussions it all felt good. This work is sacred, a high calling, and important. Shout out to the Multicultural Alliance for Safe Energy (MASE) and Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) for facilitating and bringing us together.

Also much love to those who do the work day in and day out and those who suffered the consequences of uranium mining and the nuclear fuel chain.

This is for you.

Wado and Migwetch

Jesse Deer In Water

CRAFT