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In the Works
Next Hopi Scientist

Reclaiming Environmental Justice 

 

Carrie Nuva Joseph grew up in Moenkopi on the Hopi reservation, seven miles downstream from an inactive uranium mill site.  As a Hopi woman and an indigenous scientist, she feels very connected to the land and sees the importance of communicating science and informing her community about hazardous waste to protect human health.

After becoming a young mother and noticing cancer rates higher than average in the area, she was determined to find a way to help with these environmental challenges. She went back to school to get her Ph.D. and learn how inactive mill sites—especially those neighboring Native American communities—impact those who live there.

This project is currenlty in production.

 

 

Project Backstory

 

This short documentary is made possible in partnership with The Village of Moencopi (Lower) Administration Office, The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, and the University of Arizona's Department of Environmental Science and Tribal Extension Program.

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farming on indigenous land
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A group of NAtive American children
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caution sign warning about contamination
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2 women and corn
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A group of native american women
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Production crew
Story by Sandra Westdahl
Sandra Westdahl
Producer
Photographer
Editor
Drone Photography by Cody Sheehy
Cody Sheehy
Drone Photographer
Sound Mix - Galen McCaw
Galen McCaw
Sound Recordist/Designer

Behind the Scenes

Made Possible By
The Department of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona
The Village of Moencopi (Lower) Administration Office
The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office
The Tribal Extension Program at the University of Arizona