Article review part two

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Protection of Sacred Places Part Two
Transition: Having expounded the struggles of the Native American in fighting to safeguard their holy places, I will discuss the present and future threats of these sacred sites.
The Navajo is a federally recognized tribe. However, the Navajo is experiencing abuse of decrees by state agencies because the state wants to resume mineral extraction and production on their sacred land without consulting the tribe (Helms).
These violations of rules regulating the protection of holy sites arise even in cases where the sacred places are in federal protection. The federal agencies fail to conduct discussions with the indigenous people adequately.
There is a threat of the resumption of uranium mining at Mount Taylor. Mining of uranium took place in 1953-1982 by the Jackpile Mine. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List ordered for the cleaning of the mine in December 2013. However, cleaning up is yet to be materialized. Rio Grande Resources are the current proponents of uranium mining.
The Navajo tribe is opposing the return of uranium mining. The indigenous tribe through Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment and Amigos Bravos have appealed against a permit that intends to regulate uranium extraction at Mount Taylor. The mining license by the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division was signed in December 2017.
The Mining and Minerals Division seem lax in safeguarding the holy regions. The department has given a mining permit despite the damage the previous uranium mining had on Mount Taylor.

The Rio Grande Resources has suspended clearing up the mine through permits issued by the Mining Division. This postponement according to the Navajo tribe allows future uranium mining, which is damaging to the holy landscape.
The Navajo tribe claims the director of the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division misunderstood the Mining Act by enabling prospects of uranium mining. The Native Americans were not part of the consultations of reactivating the mining procedures.
Hundreds of discarded mines, sites, and mining waste were left on the grounds of Mount Taylor during the previous uranium mining. These components are not only harmful to the environment but the residents as well.
The uncollected waste mines continue to pose a danger to the soil, drinking water and pasture. Water that settles in uranium wells contains a radioactive gas known as radon, which can cause cancer. When this water spills, it could likely end in rivers where livestock might consume the water, or young children might play in it.
Several health complications that may arise from waste uranium mines include kidney diseases, high blood pressure, respiratory difficulties, and autoimmune diseases.
The toxic spills are also a hazard to livestock grazed by the Navajo tribe.
The Mount Taylor is significant to the Navajo tribe because it is a pilgrimage site for them and a sacred area.
The sacred mountain is of spiritual and cultural importance to the Navajo Nation. They believe the mountain is the source and household of creation. There are holy pine bows used during traditional dance rituals. Blessing ceremonies take place in this region. The natives conduct prayers in Mount Taylor because they have a belief that supernatural deities namely the Turquoise Boy, Turquoise Girl, and Black God live in the mountain.
The Navajo Nation hopes to make Mount Taylor a Traditional Cultural Property permanently. This right will sustain the cultural and religious values of the sacred mountain, over the economic gains of future uranium mining.

Work Cited
Helms, Kathy. “Uranium Mining’s Past Colors Mount Taylor Mine’s Future.” usnews, www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-mexico/articles/2018-05-23/uranium-minings-past-colors-mount-taylor-mines-future. Accessed 28 Sept. 2018.