Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Havasupai Tribe will host a protest gathering July 25-26 south of the Grand Canyon at their sacred site of Red Butte, which is threatened by uranium mining near the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

“On behalf of the Havasupai Tribe, I urge everyone to join us at the foot of this sacred Red Butte to unify our voices and call on the federal government to work with the Havasupai Tribe to protect these sacred lands from any further uranium mining,” said Chairman Don Watahomigie. “We are proud to host this historic gathering as our ancestors have done for generations at Red Butte.”

The Havasupai Tribe, which has inhabited the Grand Canyon region for many centuries, fears that contamination from uranium mining could harm the animals, air, water, and people.

Denison Mines of Canada plans to reopen the Canyon Mine, located not far from Red Butte. The Havasupai Tribe and others have been actively opposing Denison’s request for groundwater aquifer permits from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

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