Ward Valley Film Project

Donations to the project will be used to distribute the film and educational materials to diverse communities across the country. We will reach out to tribes, schools, conferences, media and to people everywhere who will be inspired to learn that they too can win victories against powerful corporations and government agencies. Thank you for your support of this important effort.

Donations to the Defending the Sacred Ward Valley Film Project are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowable under the law.

Checks should be made payable to “Defending The Sacred/Greenaction/Tides” and sent to

Defending the Sacred Project
One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 760
San Francisco, CA 94102

See Also

Las Vegas Review-Journal

For more information, contact:

Greenaction

(415) 248-5010

“Defending the Sacred”
Ward Valley Film Project

a collaboration between the Mohave Cultural Preservation Program & Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice

Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice and the Mohave Cultural Preservation Program are pleased to announce a new and important effort, the “Defending the Sacred” Ward Valley Film Project. Your support can make this effort a success.

“Defending the Sacred” is an informative, inspiring and compelling twenty-four minute film by independent film maker Tamara Turner that tells the story of the successful “David versus Goliath” fight by the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance and allies that saved Ward Valley, sacred Indian lands and the Colorado River from a proposed nuclear waste dump.

The “Defending the Sacred” Project is a collaboration between the Mohave Cultural Preservation Program, a grassroots group from the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice. Both groups played key roles in the Ward Valley campaign and victory.

In February 1998 the Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Quechan, Cocopah and Colorado River Indian Tribes and supporters from all walks of life began an historic 113 day nonviolent occupation of the proposed nuclear waste dump site at Ward Valley. Defying threats of arrest and risking bodily harm, hundreds of people joined together to prevent the government from test drilling for the dump project. The occupation succeeded and led to the defeat of the nuclear waste dump.

“Defending the Sacred” features the beautiful Mojave Desert landscape at Ward Valley, dramatic images of Elders, traditional singers and dancers, and scenes of protests and the occupation. The film contains interviews with tribal leaders and activists involved in the Ward Valley campaign.

The goal of the project is to educate and inspire as many people as possible about Ward Valley and the victory won by the tribes and allies. Through this project, we will educate tens of thousands of people about the cultural, environmental, health and social justice issues raised by the campaign. Most importantly, this project will inspire communities from all walks of life to realize ordinary people can win victories against all odds.