Tiny Tribe at Grand Canyon Urges Action: Say No to Uranium Mining

SUPAI, Ariz. — U.S. Senate candidate and Congressman Ruben Gallego recently undertook an arduous four-hour, eight-mile hike to the remote Havasupai reservation. His visit aimed to address the concerns of a tribe that has inhabited the Grand Canyon for centuries.

Tribal Council Vice-Chairman Armando Marshall voiced a deep-seated fear for the tribe’s survival against external threats. “Don’t forget us,” he urged during an interview. The tribe has been battling against a uranium mining operation on their ancestral land for over 40 years.

The situation escalated this year with the commencement of operations at the Pinyon Plain mine. “The uranium mining does need to be halted,” Gallego stated, echoing the community’s fears about potential environmental contamination. The mine operator refuted this claim, asserting there are “no new facts” warranting the mine’s closure.

Gallego’s hike to Supai was part of a commitment to visit all 22 tribal nations in Arizona. This journey marks a significant step in engaging with Native American issues, with the Havasupai tribe being his 20th stop.

The 300,000 Native American voters in Arizona hold considerable sway in the upcoming elections, as demonstrated in the 2020 presidential race. Tribal members were instrumental in securing a win for Democrats, including current President Joe Biden.

In 2020, the Supai village saw only 62 out of 152 registered voters cast ballots, yet Biden still emerged victorious there. “You know, they deserve to be heard,” Gallego remarked, emphasizing the importance of their voices in governance.

The Havasupai tribe continues to confront environmental challenges, particularly following a deadly flash flood in August that claimed a life. Despite the natural disaster, tourism has rebounded, drawing hikers to the area’s iconic blue-green waterfalls.

Tribal members remain wary of the uranium mine’s potential impact on their water supply and way of life. The mine sits near Tusayan, while the reservation lies below the Grand Canyon rim.

In response to concerns raised by the Havasupai and Navajo Nations, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes have reached out to the U.S. Forest Service for a review of the 1986 environmental impact statement that initially permitted mining operations in the area.

As the debate continues, the mine operator maintains that claims regarding the mine’s risks are unfounded. Meanwhile, the Havasupai tribe remains vigilant, determined to protect their sacred land and waters.