Did you see the news? NPR is talking about Hanford.
Check out Anna King’s reporting in “‘It’s going to take all of us’ – Yakama Nation youth learn about Hanford’s legacy.”
The story behind the story…
Last month, reporter Anna King attended the Hanford Journey with us. The event, led by Yakama Nation's Environmental Restoration Waste Management (ERWM) Program and Columbia Riverkeeper, took students from Yakama Nation's Tribal School and Heritage University on a one-of-a-kind school trip to tour the Hanford Nuclear Site. This on-site tour, led by Yakama Nation Tribal staff, elders, and leaders, was designed to inspire the next generation of Hanford cleanup advocates.
Why does this matter?
Bringing the importance of Hanford cleanup into a regional and national conversation is vital for holding the federal government accountable for cleaning up the mess they left behind. Telling Indigenous stories about Hanford is more important than ever, as Tribal Nations, like the Yakama Nation, hold the highest stake in a successful cleanup.
What can you do to help?
Take action on Hanford today. Right now, the U.S. government and the state of Washington are concluding behind-closed-doors talks, deciding the future of Hanford cleanup. The "holistic negotiations" are meant to address the long-term approach to containing and treating tank waste and other issues. We do not know all of the issues at stake because the negotiations have been secret. But we know that there has been extensive debate and negotiation about new tanks to store waste from leak-prone tanks, the use of grout versus glass, and the removal and reclassification of waste remaining in tanks.
We need your voice to make a difference!
Take Action today and let the federal and state government know that we deserve a voice in deciding Hanford’s future!
“When I think about being able to speak for the resources, those not yet born, I think about the people in this room. I think about the messages that we carry, [...] the messages that we give to our children and even other youth in the community, about what we have to do. Because it’s going to take all of us in order to make and restore this area and land again.” - Emily Washines, Columbia Riverkeeper Board President and Yakama Nation Tribal Member.
