The Trees all Changed to Wood: Dogrib Elders' Traditional Knowledge of the Rayrock Uranium Mine (Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, March 1997)
This report documents Dogrib elders' traditional knowledge and observations of environmental change at the abandoned Rayrock uranium mine site in the Northwest Territories before, during, and after mine operations (1957-1959). The Dogrib Renewable Resources Committee presents interviews with 50 elders describing the healthy ecosystem prior to mining, the contamination and ecological destruction during operations, and ongoing environmental and health impacts, arguing that indigenous harvesters should have monitored mining activities on their traditional territory.
- Date
- Document type
- Report
- Parties
- Dogrib Renewable Resources Committee, Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Arctic Environmental Strategy, Sally Ann Zoe, Marie Adele Rabesca, Madeleine Chocolate, Joan Ryan, Allice Legat
- Locations
- Rayrock uranium mine, Dogrib traditional territory, Sherman Lake, Kwetą ?ah, Marian River, Marian Lake, Great Slave Lake, Great Bear Lake, Yellowknife, Behchoko, Whatì, Gamèti, Wekweèti, North Arm of Great Slave Lake, Hislop Lake, Alpha Lake, Beta Lake, Gamma Lake, Îdaà Trail, Tłaılı
- Parameters
- uranium mining, water contamination, radiation exposure, chemical exposure, fish health, wildlife health, vegetation damage, caribou, moose, beaver, muskrat, berries, traditional harvesting, tailings management, ecosystem health, cancer, skin sores, radioactive contamination, tailings ponds, air quality
- Pages
- 79
Original document
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