Mt. Taylor Takes a Breather (Parts 1 & 2)
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Tags: Mt. Taylor, New Mexico State Cultural Properties Review Committee, Traditional Cultural Property
Tags: Mt. Taylor, New Mexico State Cultural Properties Review Committee, Traditional Cultural Property
The New Mexico State Cultural Properties Review Committee recently made a highly controversial decision to temporarily designate Mt. Taylor as a Traditional Cultural Property. This decision gives the five nominating tribes (Acoma, Laguna, Hopi, Zuni, and the Navajo Nation) exactly one year to back up their claims of its sacred nature.
I attended the public meeting, which took place Saturday, June 14 in the Grants High School Gymnasium. It was here that NM State Cultural Properties Review Committee heard two emotionally charged sides of this complex story. Oddly enough, both sides had segregated themselves to the point where one would have assumed that this battle was pre-planned and seats had been assigned.
On one side of the gym you had ranchers, private property owners, and others representing mining interests. The majority happened to be white and Hispanic, and was wearing green stickers that said "It's Our Mountain Too." Tribal representatives, natives, and other advocates who were there to support the cause made up the other half of the gym. The council sat between the two ready to hear their testimonies.
As the tribal leaders spoke and introduced themselves one by one in their native tongues I remember feeling extremely nervous that someone from the other side was going to make a rude or inappropriate comment. As it was, the hint of groans and a sense of impatience emanated from the opposing side and filled the room.
The tribes mainly addressed how the sacredness of Mt. Taylor was related to their unique cultures in such a way that their livelihoods actually depended on its continued existence. They expressed quiet dignity as they spoke not only about how the mountain affected them, but how it was important to preserve it for everyone's benefit.
After a brief intermission, the floor was opened to the public and people were allowed their time to speak at the podium. It was at this point that the real underlying questions and concerns that brought this designation to the floor in the first place finally came out...
PART TWO
Some who opposed the preservation measure stated flat-out that they felt it was a ploy created by the tribes to take the land and stop the potential for uranium mining that is being explored on the mountain. This was despite the fact that the committee repeatedly clarified that the designation would only mean that the tribes would have to be consulted in regards to any development that would take place on the mountain. Ownership of any land wasn't even part of the discussion.
The room then turned into a back and forth spat, with one side arguing about the sanctity of the land and the threat to the area's water sources and inhabitants, while the other side seethed about issues of private property and the area's economic viability.
The fact that private property wouldn't be affected was ignored. And no one talked about the potential for danger in the mining jobs that would be created. There were often times when I felt like I wanted to respond myself to some of the complaints that were being presented, especially regarding uranium mining.
I wanted to ask the representatives of the mining industry at the meeting whether or not they would be O.K. with their own children working in these mines, considering the extreme health hazards.
I wanted to ask those who supported bringing mining jobs to their communities whether or not they had ever taken a tour of actual uranium mines or of the sites not far from their homes that had been contaminated by uranium mining.
I wanted to ask those who were arguing that the area needed jobs whether or not they might be open to the idea of creating more sustainable, well-paying jobs in their community. Jobs that would remain beyond the unreliable uranium hype and be around for future generations.
When it comes down to it, I just feel like there are two types of people who are against preserving Mt. Taylor.
1. Mining executives who are looking to profit by exploiting Mt. Taylor's natural resources.
2. Residents who don't feel they have any other real options for viable employment
Thankfully, in the end, the stronger argument prevailed and Mt. Taylor can breathe a sigh of relief…for now.
I attended the public meeting, which took place Saturday, June 14 in the Grants High School Gymnasium. It was here that NM State Cultural Properties Review Committee heard two emotionally charged sides of this complex story. Oddly enough, both sides had segregated themselves to the point where one would have assumed that this battle was pre-planned and seats had been assigned.
On one side of the gym you had ranchers, private property owners, and others representing mining interests. The majority happened to be white and Hispanic, and was wearing green stickers that said "It's Our Mountain Too." Tribal representatives, natives, and other advocates who were there to support the cause made up the other half of the gym. The council sat between the two ready to hear their testimonies.
As the tribal leaders spoke and introduced themselves one by one in their native tongues I remember feeling extremely nervous that someone from the other side was going to make a rude or inappropriate comment. As it was, the hint of groans and a sense of impatience emanated from the opposing side and filled the room.
The tribes mainly addressed how the sacredness of Mt. Taylor was related to their unique cultures in such a way that their livelihoods actually depended on its continued existence. They expressed quiet dignity as they spoke not only about how the mountain affected them, but how it was important to preserve it for everyone's benefit.
After a brief intermission, the floor was opened to the public and people were allowed their time to speak at the podium. It was at this point that the real underlying questions and concerns that brought this designation to the floor in the first place finally came out...
PART TWO
Some who opposed the preservation measure stated flat-out that they felt it was a ploy created by the tribes to take the land and stop the potential for uranium mining that is being explored on the mountain. This was despite the fact that the committee repeatedly clarified that the designation would only mean that the tribes would have to be consulted in regards to any development that would take place on the mountain. Ownership of any land wasn't even part of the discussion.
The room then turned into a back and forth spat, with one side arguing about the sanctity of the land and the threat to the area's water sources and inhabitants, while the other side seethed about issues of private property and the area's economic viability.
The fact that private property wouldn't be affected was ignored. And no one talked about the potential for danger in the mining jobs that would be created. There were often times when I felt like I wanted to respond myself to some of the complaints that were being presented, especially regarding uranium mining.
I wanted to ask the representatives of the mining industry at the meeting whether or not they would be O.K. with their own children working in these mines, considering the extreme health hazards.
I wanted to ask those who supported bringing mining jobs to their communities whether or not they had ever taken a tour of actual uranium mines or of the sites not far from their homes that had been contaminated by uranium mining.
I wanted to ask those who were arguing that the area needed jobs whether or not they might be open to the idea of creating more sustainable, well-paying jobs in their community. Jobs that would remain beyond the unreliable uranium hype and be around for future generations.
When it comes down to it, I just feel like there are two types of people who are against preserving Mt. Taylor.
1. Mining executives who are looking to profit by exploiting Mt. Taylor's natural resources.
2. Residents who don't feel they have any other real options for viable employment
Thankfully, in the end, the stronger argument prevailed and Mt. Taylor can breathe a sigh of relief…for now.
