Date: Jun 11, 2007 9:40 AM

Navajo Times
June 7, 2007
Letter to the Editor
Women bear brunt of uranium, power plant contamination
The lives of Navajo women are in the hands of our president, Mr. Joe Shirley. How? We live in a generation where there are more health problems associated with uranium dumpsites, uncovered mines and the ongoing problem of power plants that surround our Navajo Nation.

Everyday there are more women who are diagnosed with some form of reproductive cancers in the areas where the problem of power plants are within a 30-mile radius.

The age for many of these women are under the age of 30. They have not even begun to realize their role as Navajo women at this age when they are faced with fertility problems, hysterectomies and reproductive cancers.

As we talk and discuss the biggest problem now is the building of the newest most efficient energy saving power plant, Desert Rock, which is an underground plan from the U.S. government to realize their dream of making the Navajo more dependent on them for economic stability.

This power plant will release unclean air disguised by their fancy words as state of the art and clean and safe in the form of mercury (a toxin given off by power plants generated by coal).

Another problem is uranium dumpsites and tailings seeping into the groundwater. Growing up in Shiprock for more than 15 years I lived within a 30-mile radius of two power plants and one uranium dumpsite within a short walking distance. This covered dumpsite is on the east side of the Fairchild building.

I was 23 years old when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was told that my body underwent a form of genetic mutation and created more estrogen which is harmful at a high level making my body more susceptible for cells to develop cancer.

I underwent a 13-hour surgery to remove one ovary and several lymph nodes that were infected. I am now 34 years old and am in the early stages of menopause.

Is this normal? Is this right? After researching this problem after being told that estrogen plays a huge part in reproductive cancers the risk becomes even greater in the area where there are high pollutants such as power plant toxins and uranium.

I personally know a young mother at the age of 25 who was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer and the solution for her was removing her womanhood, an unborn child's sanctuary. She had a hysterectomy.

There is the problem of infertility, another young woman whom I personally know was not able to conceive for more than six years, undergoing fertility treatments was unsuccessful but through her own faith she was blessed with a child.

The above three women, including myself, all grew up in Shiprock. The added fear of having Desert Rock blowing up steam generated by what they say is safe is not.

The women that are living in the surrounding areas of Desert Rock, BHP and APS are at risk now more than ever. Their daughters and their own daughters will be more at risk of developing a reproductive/breast cancer or being a carrier.

The problem of mercury released into the air is not only affecting the women but the unborn children who have a greater chance of developing some sort of birth defect or mental incapacity hindering their lives with more difficulties.

Where do the problems of respiratory problems stop? It doesn't, it will be an ongoing problem as more babies will suffer from respiratory conditions and have chronic asthma.

The issue is not employment or money, it is about the quality of life, that is what being DinŽ is all about.

When the Navajo Nation leaders who we have elected into office are willing to subject our lives into fearing if our daughter or ourselves will suffer from the black skies you paid for it is a sad day.

Where is the unity that our grandfathers and grandmothers fought so hard for? We are here because they stood up and died so we could live in a place where our decisions will be based on and decided on as a family.

They did not endure the Long Walk to have it literally thrown back in their face as our leaders foolishly decide to perform genocide on their own people.

There are many other safe environmentally sound economic venues that could provide employment, why not pursue those instead? Now there is a push to open the uranium sites. Does your promise to protect the Navajo people still remain true, Mr. President, even though uranium is selling at more than $80 a pound?

Your strong effort to stop all uranium mining was applaudable but the practice of hypocrisy still holds water for you. The same letter should have been issued to power plants as well. It causes the same health risks.

Are you willing to put more money into childcare and health care for those innocent children who have to suffer from mental retardation or other birth defects caused by your decisions just so you could provide jobs for more than 400-plus people?

In conclusion, I ask you, Mr. Navajo Nation President, and the Desert Rock supporters, "How much are you willing to pay for your wives, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces, and mothers uterus or breasts?"

Because, as strong Diné women who have been affected by the illnesses caused by uranium and power plants, our womanhood still remains priceless even though we are lacking some or all of what makes us a woman physically.

Helena Racheal Benally
Sweetwater, Ariz.