Green Victimization of Native Americans: Uranium Mining as a Form of Toxic Colonialism and Genocide

Something in the air: Toxic pollution in and around U.S. prisons

“…Income levels too predicted emissions, such that higher income zip codes were likely to have lower toxic releases. This finding falls in line with existing environmental justice work and highlights that underserved communities must grapple with a combination of negative experiences that can leave them entrenched in poverty, poor health, and without agency to leave (Elliott et al, 2004;Fegadel, 2020;Stretesky and Hogan,1998).…”

“…In sum, air, water, and land pollution are inextricably linked to poor health outcomes. In a capitalist economy, those who cannot afford to move out of the area or fight corporations that emit toxic chemicals fall victim to disproportionate exposure to pollution and unduly suffer the consequences (Brulle and Pellow, 2006;Elliott et al, 2004;Evans and Kantrowitz, 2002;Fegadel, 2020;Stretesky and Hogan,1998). Scholars have documented that low socioeconomic status communities and communities of color bear the brunt of this phenomenon.…”

“…In addition, about a third has a diagnosed mental health problem and 14% are in serious psychological distress (Bronson and Berzofsky, 2017). Because the U.S. largely incarcerates individuals from low-income backgrounds (Rabuy and Kopf, 2015), and due to the overlap of poverty and the inaccessibility of good health care in the U.S., these numbers are not a surprise. However, they ought to be of concern.…”

Native American victimization and resistance: an examination of uranium mining in the Northwest and Northern Plains

“…Indigenous Native Peoples) while their lands were exploited and degraded by extractive industries (Bullard, 1993;Reed, 2009). Toxic colonialism, while not included in any laws in the USA (due to the role of the USA as the colonizer and the shaping of laws by the power structure), has been applied to the Native American capitalism-genocide experience (Fegadel, 2023). For example, the targeting of and conflicts over natural resources on tribal lands by the government and commercial industries has resulted in the destruction and pollution of tribal lands (Fegadel, 2023;Geddicks, 1993).…”

“…Social implications -The work discussed in this paper offers possibilities for collaborating with Native Americans to develop more sustainable energy options for the USA to make the necessary shift away from fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Originality/value -Prior research has addressed the genocidal impacts of uranium mining for Native Americans in the Southwest USA and claimed these actions were direct consequences of toxic colonialism, capitalistic agendas and the treadmill of production (Fegadel, 2023). Most uranium was recovered from ore deposits within the Colorado Plateau, and most abandoned uranium mines (AUMs) are located within the same region.…”