At the annual Hanford Journey, the Yakama Nation and other tribes gather to honor their ancestral land, now heavily contaminated by nuclear waste from the Hanford site.
B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster reports for High Country News.
In short:
- The Hanford Journey is a cultural event where Indigenous tribes reflect on their ancestral lands, which have been contaminated by the Hanford nuclear site since World War II.
- Tribal leaders and environmental groups continue to advocate for greater involvement in the cleanup process, emphasizing the site's cultural and environmental significance.
- Ongoing cleanup efforts by the Department of Energy face challenges due to the extensive contamination and long-lasting effects of radioactive waste.
Key quote:
“We are stronger by those resources, and we need to be sure that we always speak for them.”
— Emily Washines, board president of Columbia Riverkeeper
Why this matters:
The Hanford nuclear site represents a legacy of environmental degradation affecting Indigenous lands and communities. The continued involvement of tribal nations is crucial in addressing the site’s cleanup and preserving the cultural heritage of the region.
