“[Bringing the Land Back to Life] From Extraction to Restoration: Environmental Justice in Mining Reclamation on the Navajo Nation”

• In Event: Mining for the Future: Communities of Extraction Seeking Hope in Their Pasts

Abstract

Focusing on the environmental history of mining activities and subsequent reclamation efforts since the late 1970s, this paper explores the intersectionality of environmental justice issues faced by the Diné, the reclamation of mining-impacted lands, and the pursuit of equitable and sustainable futures amid complex scenarios of sovereignty. The paper begins with a history of mining on the Navajo Nation, specifically highlighting the adverse environmental impacts of uranium and coal extraction. It examines the disproportionate burdens placed on Diné communities, including environmental degradation, health disparities, and socio-economic challenges which are critical to understanding the environmental justice issues at hand. Central to this analysis is a recentering towards narratives that focus on mining reclamation as a pathway to environmental justice and reclaiming traditional ecological knowledge. Thus, the paper investigates the efforts made at various sites to remediate and restore mining-affected lands, while emphasizing the importance of community engagement, cultural preservation, and the integration of Diné traditions. Critically assessing the effectiveness of reclamation practices in addressing historical injustices and creating sustainable livelihoods. Moreover, this research examines the role of policy frameworks, regulatory mechanisms, and collaborative initiatives involving Diné leadership, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations in shaping mining reclamation efforts within environmental justice contexts: highlighting the significance of participatory decision-making processes, community empowerment, and the pursuit of self-determination.
By exploring the intersections of environmental justice and mining reclamation on the Navajo Nation, this paper contributes to the broader fields at the nexus of environmental history and American Indian Studies. Emphasizing the need for holistic approaches that address the social, economic, cultural, and ecological dimensions of environmental justice trends that are revealed by mining reclamation practices. Ultimately, this research aims to inform policy discussions, inspire collective action, and foster equitable and sustainable futures for the Navajo Nation and other mining-affected communities.

Author

• Don Dooley Unger, University of Arizona