Uranium Mining in Northern Saskatchewan: What You Need To Know Part 3―Health Impacts of Uranium Mining on Indigenous Bodies

Join host Beverly Andrews, Dr. Dale Dewar, and Professor Douglas Brugge for a deeper dive into information on the human health impacts of uranium mining.

Dr. Dale Dewar is a co-author with Florian Oelck of From Hiroshima to Fukushima to You. She is an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, an active member of the International Committee of the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, a two-term member of the Canadian Friends Service Committee, and the former Executive Director of Physicians for Global Survival. An anti-nuclear activist since the 1980s, she has published articles and spoken at conferences about nuclear proliferation.

Douglas Brugge, Professor & Chair at the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine - Doug Brugge has a Ph.D. in cellular and developmental biology from Harvard University and an MS in industrial hygiene from the Harvard School of Public Health. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. For over a decade, he has directed the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health, a series of community-based participatory research projects funded by NIEHS, NHLBI, NLM, EPA, HUD and the Kresge Foundation. CAFEH has about 200 publications, including over 50 on traffic-related ultrafine particle pollution and their association with health. He has worked in community collaborations with many neighbourhoods.

This podcast episode was edited and produced by Beverly Andrews.

This podcast was created from a live-stream webinar previously broadcast on Keepers of the Water's YouTube and Facebook channels on February 27th, 2024

Uranium Mining in Northern Saskatchewan―What You Need To Know; Part 2, Small Nuclear Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Consent in Saskatchewan: What You Haven’t Been Told

Originally broadcast as a live-to-air online webinar, this four-part series was shortened to audio for your listening pleasure. We want to help you learn more about uranium mining in Northern Saskatchewan, why it is happening, and what the future looks like for Indigenous Peoples and allies resisting uranium mining and nuclear waste in their traditional territories.

Tori Cress hosts this episode's guests, including Paul Belanger, Keepers of the Water Science Advisor. Dr. Gordon Edwards, President and co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, and Benjamin Ralston BA, JD, LLM, Assistant Professor at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan. Between our guests, you will gain decades of combined knowledge of uranium extraction and nuclear energy. You can watch the original broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. Please note the YouTube video is of lower quality due to connectivity issues during the live broadcast.

In this episode, we will hear from Dr. Gordon Edwards, president and co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility. Dr. Edwards is dedicated to education and research on all issues related to nuclear energy, whether civilian or military, including non-nuclear alternatives. A retired professor of mathematics and science at Vanier College, Doctor Edwards has also served as a consultant on nuclear issues for governmental and non-governmental bodies for over 45 years. He has been accepted as an expert witness by US and Canadian courts and tribunals, has cross-examined nuclear experts during provincial commissions of inquiry, and has been invited to address various countries.

Nuclear energy is not clean energy that will save us from the climate crisis. This false solution is being sold to citizens by the same industries that are the source of the climate problem. Nuclear power, including SMRs, is not a climate solution because it is filthy to mine, physically dangerous, too expensive and very slow.

The rise of nuclear energy as a solution to the climate crisis is a looming threat to clean, fresh water for the entire planet. Current extraction practices and policies have brought us to this global crisis, and colonial practices are not how we save ourselves from ourselves. Natural law shows us that we are not separate from our environment, and the time to pay attention to that teaching is now.

This episode was edited and produced by Beverly Andrews.

Uranium Mining in Northern Saskatchewan―What You Need To Know:

Part 1, Indigenous Resistance to Uranium Mining

Originally broadcast as a live-to-air online webinar, this four-part series was shortened to audio for your listening pleasure. We want to help you learn more about uranium mining in Northern Saskatchewan, why it is happening, and what the future looks like for Indigenous Peoples resisting uranium mining and nuclear waste in their traditional territories.

Beverly Andrews hosts this episode's guests, including Leona Morgan and Candyce Paul. Between our guests, you will gain decades of combined knowledge of uranium and nuclear Indigenous resistance warriors on the frontline of water, land and traditional knowledge protection. You can watch the original broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. Please note the YouTube video is lower quality due to connectivity issues during the live broadcast.

We will specifically address the impact of uranium mining on indigenous communities, shedding light on a crucial aspect of this issue. While many people have been busy in survival mode and exhausted from the pandemic, wars around the world, and extreme inflation, uranium mining lobbyists and governments have been taking advantage, passing industry-favourable laws that will further degrade and threaten freshwater systems already desperately overburdened by farming and mining use and wastewater byproducts.

Nuclear energy is not clean energy that will save us from the climate crisis. This false solution is being sold to citizens by the same industries that are the source of the climate problem. Nuclear power, including SMRs, is not a climate solution because it is filthy to mine, physically dangerous, too expensive and very slow.

The rise of nuclear energy as a solution to the climate crisis is a looming threat to clean, fresh water for the entire planet. Current extraction practices and policies have brought us to this global crisis, and colonial practices are not how we save ourselves from ourselves. Natural law shows us that we are not separate from our environment, and the time to pay attention to that teaching is now.

This episode was edited and produced by Beverly Andrews.

Live-streamed initially on December 2, 2020, the Indigenous Bear Teachings webinar with Daphie Pooyak, Dr. Jeff Lewis, and Jeff Wastesicott was moderated by our executive director, Jesse Cardinal. Keepers of the Water, kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre, and Indigenous Climate Action produced this collaborative webinar.

Numerous species of bears can be found across so-called Canada, and many Indigenous communities and Nations have lived side-by-side with bears. In this podcast episode, we hear from Daphie Pooyak and Jeff Wastesicoot on Traditional Cree Bear teachings.

Daphie Pooyak, a Nakota Cree traditional teacher and cultural advisor, hails from Sweetgrass First Nation in central Saskatchewan. Her personal journey, spanning two decades of professional education in cultural education and land-based learning, is a testament to her unwavering dedication. Her work in addictions, healing, and trauma further underscores her commitment to her community.

Jeff Wastesicoot, a proud member of the Pimickamack Cree Nation (Cross Lake, Manitoba), is not just a language consultant and knowledge Keeper. His personal dedication to helping people overcome personal challenges through ceremonies, traditional medicines, and counselling is truly inspiring. His life's work is a testament to preserving the Nehiyew language and culture.

As Indigenous People, we embody a truly remarkable resilience. Despite the disruptive forces of colonization and residential schools, we are steadfastly reclaiming our identities. Our collective desire to learn our language and songs, participate in ceremonies, and reconnect with the land is a powerful testament to our strength and a source of inspiration for all. As an environmental organization, Keepers of the Water witnesses the far-reaching impacts of the industry across our vast territorial homelands, naturally fueling our determination to protect them.

Through this podcast, we amplify the voices of those who carry the Indigenous Knowledge, a beacon of hope guiding us towards a clean and just transition to a fossil-free world. Indigenous People’s traditional Knowledge, deeply rooted in countless generations of storytellers, is not just a key but the key to the leading solutions to climate change. It is a testament to our collective history of resilience in the face of climate challenges.

This episode was edited and produced by Beverly Andrews.

Beyond their ecological significance, moose hold a unique place in the hearts of many Indigenous communities as revered water beings. In this episode, our executive director, Jesse Cardinal, hosts a conversation with Jeff Wastesicoot and Dr. Kevin Lewis, who share their profound Cree moose teachings and experiences of living in harmony with these majestic creatures.

The loss of the moose's habitat is not just an ecological concern, it's a pressing water protection issue. The rampant clear-cutting and muskeg clearing are decimating their homes. This episode aims to bridge the knowledge gap by exploring the identity of the moose and our intricate relationship with this animal, highlighting the urgent need for action. Join us as we delve deeper into this crucial topic.

We want to acknowledge the collaborative effort that went into producing this episode. Some of the audio was pulled from a live webinar co-hosted by ourselves, kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre, and Indigenous Climate Action. The webinar, originally recorded on October 21, 2020, featured the Indigenous Moose Teachings with Jeff Wastesicoot and Kevin Lewis, moderated by Jesse Cardinal and Board of Director member Cleo Reece. This collective effort is a testament to our shared commitment to environmental education and advocacy.

As Indigenous People, we embody remarkable resilience and unwavering determination, and we profoundly understand our connection to the land, water, animals, and plants. Despite the disruptive forces of colonization and residential schools, we are reclaiming our identities. The desire to learn our language and songs, participate in ceremonies, and reconnect with the land is a testament to our strength. As an environmental organization, Keepers of the Water witnesses the far-reaching impacts of the industry across our vast territorial homelands, naturally fueling our determination to protect them.

Through this podcast, we amplify the voices of those who carry the Indigenous Knowledge, a beacon of hope guiding us towards a clean and just transition to a fossil-free world. Our traditional knowledge, deeply rooted in countless generations of storytellers, is not just a key but the key to the leading solutions to climate change. It is a testament to our collective history of resilience in the face of climate challenges.

Through this podcast, we amplify the voices of those who carry the Indigenous Knowledge, a beacon of hope guiding us towards a clean and just transition to a fossil-free world. Our traditional knowledge, deeply rooted in countless generations of storytellers, is not just a key but the key to the leading solutions to climate change. It is a testament to our collective history of resilience in the face of climate challenges.

This episode was edited and produced by Beverly Andrews.

Welcome to As The River Flows Podcast!

With this podcast, we hope to uplift the collective work and voices of our communities in the protection of water. We are First Nation, Métis, Inuit, environmental groups, and concerned citizens working together for the protection of water, air, and land. We acknowledge that all water is connected and that water is sacred.

This episode features François Paulette, Denesuline from Smith's Landing First Nation, Treaty 8. An advocate of Treaty and Indigenous rights. He has spoken to international audiences on human rights, spiritual healing from colonial oppression, and environmental protection. In this episode, François speaks to us about the historic Paulette Case (PAULETTE v. THE QUEEN), which was the filing of a legal caveat concerning the different interpretations of Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 between the Government of Canada and the Denesoline in the Northwest Territories.

On September 6th, 1973, Justice Morrow found that the Dene “are the prima facie owners of the lands covered by the caveat – that they have what is known as aboriginal rights.” He also found that “notwithstanding the language of the two Treaties, there is sufficient doubt on the facts that aboriginal title was extinguished that such claim for the title should be permitted to be put forward by the caveators.”

Although the case was dismissed in the Supreme Court of Canada on a technicality, it was a significant step forward in the collective fight for Indigenous Rights.

Clean, fresh water is invaluable for our shared future and the survival of all of the life we share this incredible planet with. There is hope before us through Indigenous Knowledge applied to our daily lives.

This episode was edited and produced by Beverly Andrews.