Shima’ Sani’ – Why Are You So Sick? | Sonya Begay | TEDxPSU

times when I go home I used to go see my

times when I go home I used to go see my grandmother my grandmother was didn’t

grandmother my grandmother was didn’t

grandmother my grandmother was didn’t speak English and she spoke fluent

speak English and she spoke fluent

speak English and she spoke fluent Navajo so we had this little rapport

Navajo so we had this little rapport

Navajo so we had this little rapport that we went back and forth once while

that we went back and forth once while

that we went back and forth once while going there sure nose would be running

going there sure nose would be running

going there sure nose would be running and I’d say sure what’s up you sick no

and I’d say sure what’s up you sick no

and I’d say sure what’s up you sick no and she would just laugh and so you know

and she would just laugh and so you know

and she would just laugh and so you know times would pass and it one time I went

times would pass and it one time I went

times would pass and it one time I went back home and I saw her and she was just

back home and I saw her and she was just

back home and I saw her and she was just kind of laying there and I finally said

kind of laying there and I finally said

kind of laying there and I finally said some asana you sick and then she just

some asana you sick and then she just

some asana you sick and then she just kind of put her head like this and she

kind of put her head like this and she

kind of put her head like this and she said she don’t know so she laid down and

said she don’t know so she laid down and

said she don’t know so she laid down and then she fell asleep well six months

then she fell asleep well six months

then she fell asleep well six months later she passed away in August 2003 of

later she passed away in August 2003 of

later she passed away in August 2003 of cancer she was a vibrant woman she was a

cancer she was a vibrant woman she was a

cancer she was a vibrant woman she was a woman of just at most vitality she had

woman of just at most vitality she had

woman of just at most vitality she had humor she laughed even though we did not

humor she laughed even though we did not

humor she laughed even though we did not have the rapport of being able to talk

have the rapport of being able to talk

have the rapport of being able to talk the same language we had this connection

the same language we had this connection

the same language we had this connection as I said she was subsistence in this

as I said she was subsistence in this

as I said she was subsistence in this land she had a Corral of goats and sheep

land she had a Corral of goats and sheep

land she had a Corral of goats and sheep she grew her own vegetables and she grew

she grew her own vegetables and she grew

she grew her own vegetables and she grew her her own things to make sure that she

her her own things to make sure that she

her her own things to make sure that she was she was living a good life but with

was she was living a good life but with

was she was living a good life but with the Navajo Nation is a very dry and arid

the Navajo Nation is a very dry and arid

the Navajo Nation is a very dry and arid place lacking of water so when we had

place lacking of water so when we had

place lacking of water so when we had water went for the rains we would

water went for the rains we would

water went for the rains we would celebrate would have this amazing

celebrate would have this amazing

celebrate would have this amazing celebration of ceremony so we’d have

celebration of ceremony so we’d have

celebration of ceremony so we’d have medicine men singing and and we’d have

medicine men singing and and we’d have

medicine men singing and and we’d have we have a joyous occasion but one of the

we have a joyous occasion but one of the

we have a joyous occasion but one of the important facts of this is that we

important facts of this is that we

important facts of this is that we didn’t see the unseen sources that were

didn’t see the unseen sources that were

didn’t see the unseen sources that were not to let we soon say the deceased

not to let we soon say the deceased

not to let we soon say the deceased sources and these were basically

sources and these were basically

sources and these were basically contaminants selling copper radon and

contaminants selling copper radon and

contaminants selling copper radon and the list continues so initially at this

the list continues so initially at this

the list continues so initially at this point des is the reason why I’m here to

point des is the reason why I’m here to

point des is the reason why I’m here to say is that the place that I loved so

say is that the place that I loved so

say is that the place that I loved so immensely has these contaminants

immensely has these contaminants

immensely has these contaminants and the contaminants are from the mining

and the contaminants are from the mining

and the contaminants are from the mining and from the uranium that we mined the

and from the uranium that we mined the

and from the uranium that we mined the demographics for Navajo Nation we have

demographics for Navajo Nation we have

demographics for Navajo Nation we have about a hundred 74,000 tribal members

about a hundred 74,000 tribal members

about a hundred 74,000 tribal members within the boundaries and this spans

within the boundaries and this spans

within the boundaries and this spans over in Arizona three states I’m sorry

over in Arizona three states I’m sorry

over in Arizona three states I’m sorry three states Arizona Utah New Mexico but

three states Arizona Utah New Mexico but

three states Arizona Utah New Mexico but the interesting fact about this is that

the interesting fact about this is that

the interesting fact about this is that 70% of the people that are located

70% of the people that are located

70% of the people that are located within the confines of these boundaries

within the confines of these boundaries

within the confines of these boundaries is either underemployed or unemployed

is either underemployed or unemployed

is either underemployed or unemployed but the most interesting fact and I

but the most interesting fact and I

but the most interesting fact and I think is a very sad fact is that 40% of

think is a very sad fact is that 40% of

think is a very sad fact is that 40% of my people do not have running water do

my people do not have running water do

my people do not have running water do not have clean running water in their

not have clean running water in their

not have clean running water in their homes so during the 1940s in order to to

homes so during the 1940s in order to to

homes so during the 1940s in order to to support the war effort for world war ii

support the war effort for world war ii

support the war effort for world war ii uranium was mined lots of places within

uranium was mined lots of places within

uranium was mined lots of places within Arizona New Mexico and all across the

Arizona New Mexico and all across the

Arizona New Mexico and all across the country but it’s mainly within this area

country but it’s mainly within this area

country but it’s mainly within this area one of the things that came about we

one of the things that came about we

one of the things that came about we have places that we need to have these

have places that we need to have these

have places that we need to have these places when refined so one of the things

places when refined so one of the things

places when refined so one of the things that we came about was it was located in

that we came about was it was located in

that we came about was it was located in Tuba City Arizona this is a very small

Tuba City Arizona this is a very small

Tuba City Arizona this is a very small community since well my father is from

community since well my father is from

community since well my father is from but one of the recollections I had

but one of the recollections I had

but one of the recollections I had gathered from a family member is her her

gathered from a family member is her her

gathered from a family member is her her being loved relocated to this particular

being loved relocated to this particular

being loved relocated to this particular mine at a very young age and what was

mine at a very young age and what was

mine at a very young age and what was very interesting she had told me she had

very interesting she had told me she had

very interesting she had told me she had never spoke about this and she’s about

never spoke about this and she’s about

never spoke about this and she’s about my age she said she says it’s very

my age she said she says it’s very

my age she said she says it’s very difficult to listen to understand why

difficult to listen to understand why

difficult to listen to understand why she was there and the problem was that

she was there and the problem was that

she was there and the problem was that it brought she was brought there on the

it brought she was brought there on the

it brought she was brought there on the notion that this is a very exciting

notion that this is a very exciting

notion that this is a very exciting place my father’s got a job we’ve got

place my father’s got a job we’ve got

place my father’s got a job we’ve got housing we’ve got the wonderful things

housing we’ve got the wonderful things

housing we’ve got the wonderful things started in 1950s this is great

started in 1950s this is great

started in 1950s this is great economical stability but the problem

economical stability but the problem

economical stability but the problem stam did friend she saw my her father

stam did friend she saw my her father

stam did friend she saw my her father come home had this yellow kicking dust

come home had this yellow kicking dust

come home had this yellow kicking dust all over him so her mom would say go

all over him so her mom would say go

all over him so her mom would say go outside and take your clothes off and

outside and take your clothes off and

outside and take your clothes off and leave him out there so she’d go out

leave him out there so she’d go out

leave him out there so she’d go out there and shake him off like a big rug

there and shake him off like a big rug

there and shake him off like a big rug and and this would be a daily episode

and and this would be a daily episode

and and this would be a daily episode and she’s throw them in the washer but

and she’s throw them in the washer but

and she’s throw them in the washer but come to find out they were never told

come to find out they were never told

come to find out they were never told that the

that the

that the yellowcake dirt was actually

yellowcake dirt was actually

yellowcake dirt was actually contaminants it was poisonous it was

contaminants it was poisonous it was

contaminants it was poisonous it was detrimental that they should have told

detrimental that they should have told

detrimental that they should have told them because a lot of people have

them because a lot of people have

them because a lot of people have respiratory problems at this time

respiratory problems at this time

respiratory problems at this time inclusive of my family member right at

inclusive of my family member right at

inclusive of my family member right at this point there’s about approximately

this point there’s about approximately

this point there’s about approximately 500 open minds at this point there’s a

500 open minds at this point there’s a

500 open minds at this point there’s a approximately I say 1500 wells that are

approximately I say 1500 wells that are

approximately I say 1500 wells that are still open when the rhenium was not

still open when the rhenium was not

still open when the rhenium was not being used any longer the companies

being used any longer the companies

being used any longer the companies picked up and left some of them were

picked up and left some of them were

picked up and left some of them were actually responsible some just left it

actually responsible some just left it

actually responsible some just left it but the majority even left him there so

but the majority even left him there so

but the majority even left him there so if you can envision open pits with water

if you can envision open pits with water

if you can envision open pits with water of retaining inside of them and then it

of retaining inside of them and then it

of retaining inside of them and then it started to look like pools of water and

started to look like pools of water and

started to look like pools of water and lakes and stuff like that you start

lakes and stuff like that you start

lakes and stuff like that you start thinking oh I can go swimming in there

thinking oh I can go swimming in there

thinking oh I can go swimming in there or I can drink water out of there or if

or I can drink water out of there or if

or I can drink water out of there or if better yet I’ll bring my livestock and

better yet I’ll bring my livestock and

better yet I’ll bring my livestock and I’ll Water them there one of these

I’ll Water them there one of these

I’ll Water them there one of these stories that I have it’s a personal

stories that I have it’s a personal

stories that I have it’s a personal story for myself as my grandfather had

story for myself as my grandfather had

story for myself as my grandfather had told me he says let’s go get some water

told me he says let’s go get some water

told me he says let’s go get some water and decide he’s probably at ten years

and decide he’s probably at ten years

and decide he’s probably at ten years old so he’d give me a little canteen so

old so he’d give me a little canteen so

old so he’d give me a little canteen so I took it on my shirt or belt or

I took it on my shirt or belt or

I took it on my shirt or belt or whatever and then he would have these

whatever and then he would have these

whatever and then he would have these big water tanks so we take him and drag

big water tanks so we take him and drag

big water tanks so we take him and drag him over there and go to these ponds and

him over there and go to these ponds and

him over there and go to these ponds and there’s these pumps and the most

there’s these pumps and the most

there’s these pumps and the most interesting part about this was that we

interesting part about this was that we

interesting part about this was that we would pump the water and it didn’t have

would pump the water and it didn’t have

would pump the water and it didn’t have no no bad color didn’t smell bad it

no no bad color didn’t smell bad it

no no bad color didn’t smell bad it actually tasted really really good and I

actually tasted really really good and I

actually tasted really really good and I thought we get back and we drinking

thought we get back and we drinking

thought we get back and we drinking water all the way back but after years

water all the way back but after years

water all the way back but after years and years of doing this and my

and years of doing this and my

and years of doing this and my grandfather got sick and he got very

grandfather got sick and he got very

grandfather got sick and he got very very sick and it was very instant and

very sick and it was very instant and

very sick and it was very instant and stomach cancer he was his demise so at

stomach cancer he was his demise so at

stomach cancer he was his demise so at this point what I think what happens is

this point what I think what happens is

this point what I think what happens is that they think oh we’re going to go

that they think oh we’re going to go

that they think oh we’re going to go ahead and go in and put a remediation

ahead and go in and put a remediation

ahead and go in and put a remediation plant in there go outside to receive by

plant in there go outside to receive by

plant in there go outside to receive by these uranium mill tailings we’re gonna

these uranium mill tailings we’re gonna

these uranium mill tailings we’re gonna put something there to make your your

put something there to make your your

put something there to make your your water clean and pristine once again back

water clean and pristine once again back

water clean and pristine once again back to its natural safe but unfortunately

to its natural safe but unfortunately

to its natural safe but unfortunately how and I ask you this question how do

how and I ask you this question how do

how and I ask you this question how do you get clean and pristine water

you get clean and pristine water

you get clean and pristine water uranium mill tailing that’s what I said

uranium mill tailing that’s what I said

uranium mill tailing that’s what I said I don’t know so what I want you to do at

I don’t know so what I want you to do at

I don’t know so what I want you to do at this time and I want you to imagine I’m

this time and I want you to imagine I’m

this time and I want you to imagine I’m not sure if anybody who’s from the

not sure if anybody who’s from the

not sure if anybody who’s from the country or such imagine if a water not a

country or such imagine if a water not a

country or such imagine if a water not a wad like a water pump outside and also

wad like a water pump outside and also

wad like a water pump outside and also water trough and what I’m going to do is

water trough and what I’m going to do is

water trough and what I’m going to do is go through the areas of what I say that

go through the areas of what I say that

go through the areas of what I say that the people that of my my region goes

the people that of my my region goes

the people that of my my region goes through of getting water and the western

through of getting water and the western

through of getting water and the western region let’s get back to them nobody’s

region let’s get back to them nobody’s

region let’s get back to them nobody’s going out to Western let’s go to the

going out to Western let’s go to the

going out to Western let’s go to the eastern region we’ll get you back to the

eastern region we’ll get you back to the

eastern region we’ll get you back to the water pump the eastern region with this

water pump the eastern region with this

water pump the eastern region with this water pump one of my my auntie’s she

water pump one of my my auntie’s she

water pump one of my my auntie’s she still uses this some of my family

still uses this some of my family

still uses this some of my family members still use this it’s outside the

members still use this it’s outside the

members still use this it’s outside the home it’s bill stilt right outside and

home it’s bill stilt right outside and

home it’s bill stilt right outside and it’s open to animals and everybody else

it’s open to animals and everybody else

it’s open to animals and everybody else but she could because she has no indoor

but she could because she has no indoor

but she could because she has no indoor plumbing this is her only water source

plumbing this is her only water source

plumbing this is her only water source now let’s go back to the water trough I

now let’s go back to the water trough I

now let’s go back to the water trough I told you to envision now this is open to

told you to envision now this is open to

told you to envision now this is open to animals and human consumption the

animals and human consumption the

animals and human consumption the problem being is that you have a big

problem being is that you have a big

problem being is that you have a big water trough you have a spigot coming

water trough you have a spigot coming

water trough you have a spigot coming out and water coming out and I have

out and water coming out and I have

out and water coming out and I have family members who still use that as

family members who still use that as

family members who still use that as their main water source but but the most

their main water source but but the most

their main water source but but the most disturbing part of this is that during

disturbing part of this is that during

disturbing part of this is that during my research I found out that since this

my research I found out that since this

my research I found out that since this is not attached to a home that the

is not attached to a home that the

is not attached to a home that the utility company within the Navajo Nation

utility company within the Navajo Nation

utility company within the Navajo Nation does not regulate this water so unless

does not regulate this water so unless

does not regulate this water so unless you can have indoor plumbing which is

you can have indoor plumbing which is

you can have indoor plumbing which is which is they got a little meter on it

which is they got a little meter on it

which is they got a little meter on it and they have clean water the stuff that

and they have clean water the stuff that

and they have clean water the stuff that they’re my family members are using are

they’re my family members are using are

they’re my family members are using are not regulated so digging a little

not regulated so digging a little

not regulated so digging a little further I found out there was a report

further I found out there was a report

further I found out there was a report they did within the general area and the

they did within the general area and the

they did within the general area and the disturbing part is that they have this

disturbing part is that they have this

disturbing part is that they have this very nice report that comes out and it

very nice report that comes out and it

very nice report that comes out and it basically tells you of the inorganic

basically tells you of the inorganic

basically tells you of the inorganic contaminants it talks about the

contaminants it talks about the

contaminants it talks about the contaminants now I’ll tell you this is

contaminants now I’ll tell you this is

contaminants now I’ll tell you this is still we’re still in the eastern region

still we’re still in the eastern region

still we’re still in the eastern region of Navajo Nation within this you have

of Navajo Nation within this you have

of Navajo Nation within this you have the inorganic camera camera

the inorganic camera camera

the inorganic camera camera of arsenic mercury was in there and

of arsenic mercury was in there and

of arsenic mercury was in there and barium now these are inorganic

barium now these are inorganic

barium now these are inorganic contaminants another kind of above level

contaminants another kind of above level

contaminants another kind of above level but not very bad so they basically are

but not very bad so they basically are

but not very bad so they basically are from runoffs they say they’re from land

from runoffs they say they’re from land

from runoffs they say they’re from land mines are from orchards and and and was

mines are from orchards and and and was

mines are from orchards and and and was kind of under it’s like well none of

kind of under it’s like well none of

kind of under it’s like well none of this is around where we’re live it’s

this is around where we’re live it’s

this is around where we’re live it’s just vast lands as you see up here so

just vast lands as you see up here so

just vast lands as you see up here so that’s kind of a disturbing fact on that

that’s kind of a disturbing fact on that

that’s kind of a disturbing fact on that matter so all the water that my family

matter so all the water that my family

matter so all the water that my family is drinking has these contaminants

is drinking has these contaminants

is drinking has these contaminants they’re not regulated so we don’t know

they’re not regulated so we don’t know

they’re not regulated so we don’t know what other other gems of amazements in

what other other gems of amazements in

what other other gems of amazements in this water now I’m going to take you

this water now I’m going to take you

this water now I’m going to take you back to the western area of Navajo

back to the western area of Navajo

back to the western area of Navajo Nation this is the area where the mining

Nation this is the area where the mining

Nation this is the area where the mining is done and this yeah have indoor

is done and this yeah have indoor

is done and this yeah have indoor plumbing and one of my my cousins gave

plumbing and one of my my cousins gave

plumbing and one of my my cousins gave me the water report for that a very

me the water report for that a very

me the water report for that a very disturbing fact is it did have more

disturbing fact is it did have more

disturbing fact is it did have more contaminants the US EPA said it was

contaminants the US EPA said it was

contaminants the US EPA said it was above level for contaminants and it had

above level for contaminants and it had

above level for contaminants and it had a whole barrage of things but one thing

a whole barrage of things but one thing

a whole barrage of things but one thing stuck out with stallion and thalya meant

stuck out with stallion and thalya meant

stuck out with stallion and thalya meant when you have it in in small portions

when you have it in in small portions

when you have it in in small portions they said it goes into changing your

they said it goes into changing your

they said it goes into changing your blood chemistry you lose your hair you

blood chemistry you lose your hair you

blood chemistry you lose your hair you there’s other things that go along with

there’s other things that go along with

there’s other things that go along with it but for a long period of time for

it but for a long period of time for

it but for a long period of time for you’re exposed to this what happens you

you’re exposed to this what happens you

you’re exposed to this what happens you have live liver and kidney damage such a

have live liver and kidney damage such a

have live liver and kidney damage such a shame because this is regulated so you

shame because this is regulated so you

shame because this is regulated so you have all of these these factors you have

have all of these these factors you have

have all of these these factors you have all of these things and I leave it to

all of these things and I leave it to

all of these things and I leave it to you to to think about these and matters

you to to think about these and matters

you to to think about these and matters but also to I think about the diseases

but also to I think about the diseases

but also to I think about the diseases so I’m going to give you a couple of

so I’m going to give you a couple of

so I’m going to give you a couple of things that was a comply combination of

things that was a comply combination of

things that was a comply combination of within western and eastern Navajo we

within western and eastern Navajo we

within western and eastern Navajo we have internal cancers we have

have internal cancers we have

have internal cancers we have respiratory problems asthma and

respiratory problems asthma and

respiratory problems asthma and emphysema and I’ll tell you a little

emphysema and I’ll tell you a little

emphysema and I’ll tell you a little story about these next two they’re about

story about these next two they’re about

story about these next two they’re about crops with funguses one of the farmers I

crops with funguses one of the farmers I

crops with funguses one of the farmers I went to go see he said oh you have to

went to go see he said oh you have to

went to go see he said oh you have to see this the water rushes along

see this the water rushes along

see this the water rushes along on the side he’s got his crops of corn

on the side he’s got his crops of corn

on the side he’s got his crops of corn and melons and squash here he says look

and melons and squash here he says look

and melons and squash here he says look over here on the other side of the wash

over here on the other side of the wash

over here on the other side of the wash all the vegetation is brown it looks

all the vegetation is brown it looks

all the vegetation is brown it looks like it’s burnt I didn’t know what it

like it’s burnt I didn’t know what it

like it’s burnt I didn’t know what it was he’s talking about but this went on

was he’s talking about but this went on

was he’s talking about but this went on for a couple of miles down he didn’t

for a couple of miles down he didn’t

for a couple of miles down he didn’t know why it was happening but he told me

know why it was happening but he told me

know why it was happening but he told me look at my crops here they have little

look at my crops here they have little

look at my crops here they have little nodules of fungus and little things

nodules of fungus and little things

nodules of fungus and little things stuck on him and we couldn’t figure it

stuck on him and we couldn’t figure it

stuck on him and we couldn’t figure it out I asked him where he got his water

out I asked him where he got his water

out I asked him where he got his water from he says that wash because it’s

from he says that wash because it’s

from he says that wash because it’s close now if you look at the top of this

close now if you look at the top of this

close now if you look at the top of this hill that’s the rid of the uranium mill

hill that’s the rid of the uranium mill

hill that’s the rid of the uranium mill tailing is so all that runoff runoff of

tailing is so all that runoff runoff of

tailing is so all that runoff runoff of water is coming down going into the

water is coming down going into the

water is coming down going into the ravine going to Thomas Creek and this

ravine going to Thomas Creek and this

ravine going to Thomas Creek and this man is now getting his Vestas vegetables

man is now getting his Vestas vegetables

man is now getting his Vestas vegetables water because of this now remember

water because of this now remember

water because of this now remember they’re still subsistence to this land

they’re still subsistence to this land

they’re still subsistence to this land another thing that comes about when he

another thing that comes about when he

another thing that comes about when he was talking about his livestock and it’s

was talking about his livestock and it’s

was talking about his livestock and it’s a funny story but it’s not a funny story

a funny story but it’s not a funny story

a funny story but it’s not a funny story we were talking about the livestock and

we were talking about the livestock and

we were talking about the livestock and he says well we have a high rate of

he says well we have a high rate of

he says well we have a high rate of stillborns of cattle sheep goats and

stillborns of cattle sheep goats and

stillborns of cattle sheep goats and whatever else they have out there but he

whatever else they have out there but he

whatever else they have out there but he said initially one of his sheep had an

said initially one of his sheep had an

said initially one of his sheep had an or abnormally due up to his leg or

or abnormally due up to his leg or

or abnormally due up to his leg or something maybe he had no no hoof or

something maybe he had no no hoof or

something maybe he had no no hoof or something so that that little lamb just

something so that that little lamb just

something so that that little lamb just didn’t make it we’re talking around some

didn’t make it we’re talking around some

didn’t make it we’re talking around some of the you know just a bunch of little

of the you know just a bunch of little

of the you know just a bunch of little people around just standing around then

people around just standing around then

people around just standing around then this man over here he goes hey I got a

this man over here he goes hey I got a

this man over here he goes hey I got a horse had had like something wrong with

horse had had like something wrong with

horse had had like something wrong with his his his leg he wasn’t born with no

his his his leg he wasn’t born with no

his his his leg he wasn’t born with no leg and then this other guy who crossed

leg and then this other guy who crossed

leg and then this other guy who crossed the way says like I went better yet and

the way says like I went better yet and

the way says like I went better yet and I thought what the heck is this this is

I thought what the heck is this this is

I thought what the heck is this this is getting worse so this man said that he

getting worse so this man said that he

getting worse so this man said that he had a stillborn but it had looked like

had a stillborn but it had looked like

had a stillborn but it had looked like it had an extra head on it and I’m

it had an extra head on it and I’m

it had an extra head on it and I’m thinking this is getting really creepy

thinking this is getting really creepy

thinking this is getting really creepy so they just laughed amongst themselves

so they just laughed amongst themselves

so they just laughed amongst themselves priced at you know what this is their

priced at you know what this is their

priced at you know what this is their reality they talk about these things

reality they talk about these things

reality they talk about these things they they drink you know the water is is

they they drink you know the water is is

they they drink you know the water is is being used by their livestock and it’s

being used by their livestock and it’s

being used by their livestock and it’s used by their crops and the people

used by their crops and the people

used by their crops and the people importantly so I moved on and then I

importantly so I moved on and then I

importantly so I moved on and then I thought I’d have enough for these

thought I’d have enough for these

thought I’d have enough for these stories here but I would refrain back to

stories here but I would refrain back to

stories here but I would refrain back to my list here

my list here

my list here a lot of other things that come about if

a lot of other things that come about if

a lot of other things that come about if you’re swimming into one of these you

you’re swimming into one of these you

you’re swimming into one of these you rain and mill tailing ponds you’ll get

rain and mill tailing ponds you’ll get

rain and mill tailing ponds you’ll get little spots like they look like acne

little spots like they look like acne

little spots like they look like acne but they’re actually lesions but I think

but they’re actually lesions but I think

but they’re actually lesions but I think one of the most disturbing facts that I

one of the most disturbing facts that I

one of the most disturbing facts that I came about across was having a disease

came about across was having a disease

came about across was having a disease named after your tribe Navajo neuropathy

named after your tribe Navajo neuropathy

named after your tribe Navajo neuropathy is something basically it’s a genetic

is something basically it’s a genetic

is something basically it’s a genetic disease disease but they attribute it to

disease disease but they attribute it to

disease disease but they attribute it to people living too close to the mills and

people living too close to the mills and

people living too close to the mills and too close to the water that the mill

too close to the water that the mill

too close to the water that the mill town was come from the the problem being

town was come from the the problem being

town was come from the the problem being is that when you may visit a family who

is that when you may visit a family who

is that when you may visit a family who has a person who has his affliction of

has a person who has his affliction of

has a person who has his affliction of Navajo neuropathy they lose all

Navajo neuropathy they lose all

Navajo neuropathy they lose all functions their hands or basically start

functions their hands or basically start

functions their hands or basically start tingling they said the first time and

tingling they said the first time and

tingling they said the first time and then they lose all sense of touch and

then they lose all sense of touch and

then they lose all sense of touch and then the next thing she said that her

then the next thing she said that her

then the next thing she said that her dog wouldn’t my the people I would talk

dog wouldn’t my the people I would talk

dog wouldn’t my the people I would talk to their daughter had her hands just

to their daughter had her hands just

to their daughter had her hands just kind of caught up like this and she

kind of caught up like this and she

kind of caught up like this and she showed me pictures and it was very

showed me pictures and it was very

showed me pictures and it was very disturbing but then she says later on

disturbing but then she says later on

disturbing but then she says later on she started crawling on the floor

she started crawling on the floor

she started crawling on the floor because that’s the only way she could

because that’s the only way she could

because that’s the only way she could get around and so from that story we’ve

get around and so from that story we’ve

get around and so from that story we’ve kind of figured out it was probably the

kind of figured out it was probably the

kind of figured out it was probably the water and they she told me where they

water and they she told me where they

water and they she told me where they were at her husband had passed away but

were at her husband had passed away but

were at her husband had passed away but eventually her her daughter had passed

eventually her her daughter had passed

eventually her her daughter had passed away from liver damage there’s another

away from liver damage there’s another

away from liver damage there’s another disease that’s come up and is it’s named

disease that’s come up and is it’s named

disease that’s come up and is it’s named after Navajo I don’t remember it but

after Navajo I don’t remember it but

after Navajo I don’t remember it but basically it has come about it is a

basically it has come about it is a

basically it has come about it is a genetic disease and it’s a very

genetic disease and it’s a very

genetic disease and it’s a very definitive list children children

definitive list children children

definitive list children children basically are born with this they

basically are born with this they

basically are born with this they continue on to having no no feel for

continue on to having no no feel for

continue on to having no no feel for four senses and they’re in their arms

four senses and they’re in their arms

four senses and they’re in their arms and stuff but they also have sensitivity

and stuff but they also have sensitivity

and stuff but they also have sensitivity to light they actually get corneal

to light they actually get corneal

to light they actually get corneal ulcers and then they eventually go blind

ulcers and then they eventually go blind

ulcers and then they eventually go blind and then they die from liver failure but

and then they die from liver failure but

and then they die from liver failure but before that ever happens they basically

before that ever happens they basically

before that ever happens they basically don’t even live to 20 years old so I

don’t even live to 20 years old so I

don’t even live to 20 years old so I leave this with you and I don’t want to

leave this with you and I don’t want to

leave this with you and I don’t want to make a gloom and doom situation this is

make a gloom and doom situation this is

make a gloom and doom situation this is a beautiful land this is my homeland but

a beautiful land this is my homeland but

a beautiful land this is my homeland but I have been so afflicted and so

I have been so afflicted and so

I have been so afflicted and so disturbed

disturbed

disturbed but what I have to see my family go

but what I have to see my family go

but what I have to see my family go through see people that I don’t know who

through see people that I don’t know who

through see people that I don’t know who tell me months on end this person died

tell me months on end this person died

tell me months on end this person died of cancer I just had her aunt who passed

of cancer I just had her aunt who passed

of cancer I just had her aunt who passed away of just recently so I take it upon

away of just recently so I take it upon

away of just recently so I take it upon yourself to to sit there and listen to

yourself to to sit there and listen to

yourself to to sit there and listen to me and see these words and hear these

me and see these words and hear these

me and see these words and hear these words I’m tak talking about please if

words I’m tak talking about please if

words I’m tak talking about please if there’s something that I have said that

there’s something that I have said that

there’s something that I have said that generates something empathy in your

generates something empathy in your

generates something empathy in your heart call your your your officials your

heart call your your your officials your

heart call your your your officials your federal tribal state or just anyone make

federal tribal state or just anyone make

federal tribal state or just anyone make sure that they understand that this

sure that they understand that this

sure that they understand that this problem is here this problem is not

problem is here this problem is not

problem is here this problem is not going away this problem basically has no

going away this problem basically has no

going away this problem basically has no boundaries air has no boundaries water

boundaries air has no boundaries water

boundaries air has no boundaries water has no boundaries

has no boundaries

has no boundaries and eventually you’ll have this problem

and eventually you’ll have this problem

and eventually you’ll have this problem you might have this problem now we just

you might have this problem now we just

you might have this problem now we just don’t know so I leave it to you I thank

don’t know so I leave it to you I thank

don’t know so I leave it to you I thank you very much for allowing me to be here

you very much for allowing me to be here

you very much for allowing me to be here I’m very humbled and I think yet

I’m very humbled and I think yet

I’m very humbled and I think yet [Applause]