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Increasing demand for electric vehicles and other electric storage devices makes lithium an important and valuable commodity. The metal is used in batteries. Today on Native America Calling, we learn about plans to expand the only lithium mine in the United States to meet the demand and why it’s considered an environmental and cultural affront to tribes in Nevada with Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Chairman Arlan Melendez; Ft. McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone tribal member Arlo Crutcher; and Gary McKinney (Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley), spokesperson for the People of Red Mountain and American Indian Movement Northern Nevada chapter member.
Break 1 music: Money Cannot Be Eaten (song) Rosary Spence (artist) Maskawisiwin (album)
Break 2 music: Soar (song) Injunuity (artist) Spirits (album)
Indigenous people’s sacred sites should not be at the expense of the climate crisis the US faces. Destroying Peehee Mu’huh is like cultural genocide. The Fort McDermitt Tribe should join the fight to Protect Peehee Mu’huh. Shame on those Tribal leaders for not fighting for the next generation. No job, economic development, community center, paid power bills, etc. are worth the life of others. LIFE OVER LITHIUM
The Cordero Mine in McDermitt that Arlo is talking about has caused CANCER to everyone living there.
His elders are dying from CANCER. The town of McDermitt’s water is unsafe to drink. It has high levels of ARCENIC from the Cordero Mine. The Fort McDermitt Tribe is just lucky they are on a different water tank. Is balancing your life worth having CANCER!
The uncaring attitude and proliferation of environmentally damaged and abandoned projects on Native land is appalling at best and unsafe for our Native future generations to come. The. EPA has to STOP these disasters before they happen or keep them from happening in the first place..