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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2001)
Smoke Signals 9 Tribe, Environmentalists Fear Bush's Plan will Lead to Uranium Mine Near Grand Canyon AUGUST 15, 2001 FLAGSTAFF, AZ. (AP) - The Si erra Club claims land near the Grand Canyon that is sacred to the Havasupai Tribe is a target of the George W. Bush administration's plan to expand energy production. The Tribe itself is at least equally upset about the possibility, though the company owning the uranium site in question says it has no plan to open the mine. "That's our aboriginal homeland," said Matthew Putesoy, the Tribe's Vice Chairman. "We claim that as our origination, where the very first Havasupai people were born ... from one of our great-great grandmothers. Grandmother Canyon, we call her. "We say we are tied to the universe from that area," said Putesoy, whose Tribe's lands border the sprawling Grand Canyon on the south. "They are drilling right in the abdomen of our Mother Earth." The President's energy plan calls for 1,300 new power plants across the country by 2020 and for an expan sion of nuclear power. The Sierra Club said part of that plan includes operating the Canyon The President's energy plan calls for 1,300 new power plants across the country by 2020 and for an expansion of nuclear power. If 11 Mine 15 miles from the Grand Can yon in the headwater drainage of Havasu Creek. The site is within the Kaibab National Forest. The mine was been built a few years ago but hasn't been operated. The Forest Service approved its construc tion after looking into its environmen tal impact and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Tribal opposition in up holding the permit. Cathy Schmidlin, a public affairs officer for the Kaibab Forest, said the company that built the mine is de funct and that International Uranium Corp., which operates three mines in Arizona, is the current owner. Ron Hochstein, President and CEO of International Uranium, said there is no immediate cause for alarm. "There is no plan to restart the can yon mine at this time," he said. "Ura nium prices have to improve signifi cantly before we could consider re starting that operation." Hochstein declined to comment on the Tribe's cultural concerns. Nonetheless, Rob Smith of the Si erra Club said the mine illustrates the potential for problems for Arizona under the Bush energy plan. "The emphasis on building a lot of new power plants means Arizona will stand to be a big loser," said Smith. "Arizona could become an energy sacrifice zone if big power plants are the main thrust of a national energy policy. This means loss of natural and cultural areas, using up our water, polluting our air." Smith, the club's southwestern rep resentative in Phoenix, said Arizona has another of the 21 natural areas nationwide about which the club has great concern. That other one is the recently des ignated Ironwood Forest National Monument near Tucson in Southern Arizona. Asarco Inc., a giant producer of cop per and other metals, wants to trade land in order to expand a mine into the monument. Environmentalists contend doing so would harm the habitat of an endangered species - the desert pronghorn antelope. Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity claims the land that Asarco wants is critical to i ..traduction and survival of the last population of desert bighorn sheep. Additionally, there are plans for a power plant nearby and to run a transmission line through the monu ment, the Sierra Club pointed out. Mexico City-based Grupo Mexico acquired New York-based Asarco in 1999. The company's mining includes operations in Montana and Arizona. It , nt " p. m ,A m (P "JIT, Jfe," V jv- f , V s ' ; V L I 4 m . 71" ;l 7 A Tiny Dancer - This young man was moved by the sounds of the Robert Cray Band and didn't hesitate to show off his dance style. Jammin' for Salmon A Celebration of Salmon Cultures E 1 A Strong Persuader - Blues guitarist Robert Cray, who began his career in the Northwest, brought his personal brand of smooth sounds and feel good musical style to the stage at this year's Jammin' for Salmon event on Sunday, August 5. The event was held on the Wil lamette River waterfront in downtown Portland and all pro ceeds go towards raising awareness and money for the preservation of the salmon. Talented Grand Ronde Tribal member Chuck Williams, an accom plished professional photographer, is a fixture at events that benefit Native people and the area's natural resources. "I Want One of Those" Native artist Jim Jackson was just one of many vendors who took the opportunity to show their wares at this year's Jammin' for Salmon event. ,IIIII.JI.II...IIUIIIUI,1 P.MII.1..I.I , - ... , - 1 .Mi I fry a V Lowe was in the Air Couples like this one took advantage of the music to create their own little world in the middle of the crowd.
