NATIVE NATIONS WIN BIG VICTORY IN NUCLEAR DUMP FIGHT

113 Day Occupation Protects Sacred Land but Fight Continues

Ward Valley, CA -- It took 113 days and nights, risking arrest, and braving harsh weather and government threats and intimidation, but the long occupation of the proposed nuclear waste dump site at Ward Valley by Indian Nations and environmental supporters has ended in victory. On February 12, 1998, hundreds of tribal members and supporters took over "ground zero" to defend the land and the desert tortoise from test drilling planned by federal and state governments as part of the dump project. The Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Quechan, Cocopah and Colorado River Indian Tribes had vowed to defend Ward Valley against the test drilling which would have further desecrated their sacred land.

The Colorado River Native Nations Alliance hailed as a huge victory the announcement by the U.S. Department of Interior that the controversial test drilling was canceled and that virtually all work on the dump project was being halted. The Interior Department had continued to insist that the Tribes and supporters leave "ground zero" in exchange for the canceling of the test drilling, but the Tribes refused to compromise. On June 5 the Interior Department rescinded the eviction notice issues to the Tribes on February 14th, completing the victory for the occupation.

In response to the canceling of the test drilling and the rescinding of the eviction notice, the Tribes announced they will remove their security roadblocks and call of the "red alert." The Indian Nations and supporters in the Ward Valley Coalition will continue the ongoing spiritual vigil and presence at "ground zero" to watch over the sacred land until the dump is stopped once and for all. Tribal leaders renewed their call to Secretary of the Interior Babbitt and President Clinton to cancel the proposed dump immediately..

Two hundred people gathered at "ground zero" in Ward Valley on June 16th for an all-night spiritual gathering to celebrate the victory of the occupation. Indian Elders, tribal leaders and supporters came together for the celebration at the place where many had risked arrest during the occupation. The traditional Bird Songs were sung as Elders danced, and the commitment to continue defending Ward Valley was renewed.

The Colorado River Native Nations Alliance brings together the Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Quechan, Cocopah and Colorado River Indian Tribes to protect the Colorado River and their sacred land at Ward Valley from the proposed dump. The nuclear industry hopes to dump highly radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants in unlined dirt trenches above an aquifer with pathways to the Colorado River, drinking water source for over 20 million people.

On February 12 , 1998 hundreds of tribal members and supporters boldly defied a federal closure order and eviction notice and occupied "ground zero" at Ward Valley to prevent government test drilling which the Tribes argued would desecrate sacred land. Despite threats of a large police action to remove the Tribes and their environmental allies, the Tribes refused to be intimidated and stood firm in refusing to end the occupation. Tribal leaders, Elders, and spiritual leaders were joined by hundreds of environmental activists during the occupation and direct action and vowed to peacefully resist any attempt by the police to forcefully remove them.

Fearing negative publicity and a backlash, federal officials were wary of sending in the police to arrest Indian Elders participating in the occupation and ongoing spiritual ceremonies at the site. The determination and unity of the Native Nations along the Colorado River proved to be unshakable, and their unwavering stand forced the U.S. government to begin extremely high level negotiations on a Nation-to-Nation basis.

The five Native Nations have inhabited this area in the beautiful Mojave Desert along the lower Colorado River for thousands of years. The creation stories of these Indigenous peoples tell them they were placed along the Colorado River as protectors of the River, and they take their history as a life or death matter. Ward Valley itself has profound sacred significance. Ward Valley is critical habitat for the endangered desert tortoise. The construction of a nuclear waste dump on their sacred land would constitute an act of genocide, and they have denounced the project as environmental racism and injustice.

The people make history

The long and difficult occupation at Ward Valley was truly an historic event. Against all odds and facing the armed federal agents, a coalition of Indian Nations and environmental and social justice supporters stayed united to win the goals of the occupation. The fight against the dump is historic not only because of this big strategic victory, but also because it brings together five Native Nations with a diverse coalition of environmental, social justice, religious and political organizations. It is historic and significant because of the strong direct action and defiance of federal orders and threats of well-armed police. The fact that Tribal governments joined with their Elders and traditional peoples in the occupation also stymied the federal government, which is not used to such strong actions by tribal councils.

The successful direct action and occupation is significant as it will serve as an inspiration and model for other people fighting to the environment and justice. It is an example of how a mass, community-based direct action can work and win. It shows how a grassroots movement can successfully stand up to the powerful U.S. government and force the government to back down.

Opposition to the dump grows

Inspired by the historic occupation at Ward Valley, opposition to the proposed dump continues to grow. On June 15th a very successful press conference was held by the coalition at the Westwood Federal Building in Los Angeles with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Tribal leaders and Elders, religious leaders and community and environmental groups. . "We salute the Elders and the Indian Nations and commend their supporters for making such an historic, David-versus-goliath stand in the Mojave Desert," said Reverend Jackson. "Now, more must be done. Let the steadfast resistance of the Indian Elders be our symbol. With their age and wisdom they warn us of reckless actions that will affect the next seven generations." Reverend Jackson was clearly moved by the pleas for justice by the Elders, and he announced his willingness to be arrested to help defend Ward Valley if it should again become necessary.

Tribal representatives traveled to Oakland, California in early June for a meeting of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. After hearing from tribal members and supporters, the NEJAC passed a unanimous resolution calling on the federal government to uphold environmental justice and stop the proposed dump.

On Earth Day, the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance joined with cancer survivors, environmental and community groups in a protest at PG&E's corporate offices in downtown San Francisco, condemning as environmental racism the company's plan to dump radioactive waste from their nuclear power plant at Ward Valley.

The City and County of San Francisco recently joined the City and County of Los Angeles, San Bernardino County and the Southern California Association of Governments in opposing the dump. Top State Democratic legislative leaders have also spoken out strongly in recent months against the dump, stating that Governor Wilson cannot legally purchase the federal land at Ward Valley for a dump without legislative approval.

October 28th Protest in San Francisco

Saving Ward Valley will be a major theme of this year's Cancer Industry Tour of downtown San Francisco on October 28, 1998 sponsored by the Toxic Links Coalition. The tour is a protest led by cancer survivors and community groups fighting toxic and radioactive threats to our health and environment, and the march targets the "Cancer Industry" by visiting the corporate offices of companies that profit by polluting our environment with cancer-causing chemicals and radiation.. This year a key target of this year's march is PG&E, a nuclear utility that hopes to dump radioactive waste from its nuclear power plants at Ward Valley. Representatives of the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance will travel to San Francisco to join the event. The fifth annual Cancer Industry Tour begins at 12 noon in front of Chevron, 525 Market Street in downtown San Francisco.

Faced with strong public opposition, dump supporter Governor Pete Wilson and proposed dump operator U.S. Ecology have filed lawsuits in federal court to try to push the dump through. A hearing was held in June in U.S. District Court on a lawsuit backed by Governor Pete Wilson to force the U.S. Interior Department to transfer the land at Ward Valley to the State. Governor Wilson is well known for his racist attacks on affirmative action, tribal sovereignty and the rights of poor and working people, and is the major supporter of the dump. His support for a dump on sacred Indian land is another example of the racism of Governor Wilson and the nuclear industry.

Despite the overwhelming odds, the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance and their allies are more confident than ever that total victory will soon be won. "We celebrate the success of our 113 day occupation of the proposed dump site at Ward Valley, but we will continue to peacefully defend our sacred land and the Colorado River from the radioactive threat," said Nora Helton, Chairwoman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. "We call on the U.S. government to take the only logical and just next step and cancel the dump immediately, once and for all. We will never rest until our sacred land and the Colorado River are protected and the dump stopped."

For more information contact:

Save Ward Valley office	(760) 326-6267
Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice	(415) 248-5010

Photos from the occupation can be viewed on Greenaction's website at www.greenaction.org.