Letters | Human trafficking: stop the silence

Human trafficking: stop the silence

Editor,
In the Navajo Times article, “Delegates highlight Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” Donna Wickerd explains that human trafficking should be made public so that everyone is aware of it and that victims of human trafficking should be heard and not kept in silence.

There are offices in areas across the reservation that can help as Krystina Carviso states, “You don’t need a police report to get help. We have offices in Flagstaff, Williams, Page, Kayenta, Tuba City, Chinle, and St. Michaels. Everything is 100 percent confidential.”

Because human trafficking is an issue on the Navajo Reservation, Amber Crotty explains that communities should be trained to help in these situations to prevent human trafficking and help those who have gone through it and to create a safe space for the people on the reservation.

Human trafficking has become common today, not only with Native women and children, but with panhandlers and drunks on the streets as well. I agree that human trafficking should be made to the public and stopped. In my experience, I have noticed relatives and people I have known for a long time who went missing, some even now are still nowhere to be found.

Like Crotty addresses, “Recognizing the importance of education and awareness, MMDR task forces, which is known as Missing and Murdered Dine Relatives Task Force, should equip communities with the tools to identify and combat trafficking”, which is important.

Parents and elders have become wary of the situation, and it is hard for some to go to places when fear takes place near us. People should acknowledge the issue, do something about it, and speak up more.

Human trafficking is an issue on the reservation and is often silent. I believe that if MMDR task forces helps communities by giving them the tools to identify trafficking and acknowledging the issue it will help reduce human trafficking. Not only to help reduce the issue but to help those who have experienced it. No one deserves to go through such traumatizing things. People should not live in fear but in a community where they feel safe and loved. With time and effort with the help and knowledge from the community, I think we can all help in the prevention of human trafficking on the Navajo Reservation.

Kaeleh Crank
Piñon, Ariz.

Grand Canyon at risk

Editor,
In the Navajo Times article titled, “Uranium mining starts near the Grand Canyon despite protests by tribes, environmentalists,” Debra Utacia Krol questions the mining crisis happening around the Grand Canyon and the Havasupai Tribal land.

The Energy Company Inc. ignores the “People of the Blue-Green Waters” protests by making empty promises that result in environmental damage, wildlife endangerment, and jeopardizing the safety of cultural sites.

At a court meeting, the judge favored the U.S. Forest Service’s assessment team and Energy Fuel Inc. to continue mining in the area. The Havasupai Tribe and the one environmental protest group were present in court to argue that uranium would poison the water they needed to survive, ruin cultural sites, and devastate the environment.

I strongly disagree with Energy Fuel Inc. for lying about the safety guidelines such as claiming there is no remaining radiation in the operating area. With companies becoming greedier, they will continue to ignore environmental laws and pollute tribal lands. Although fuel energy companies like Energy Fuels Inc. think they operate safely, but as recent findings have shown, through the U.S. geological researchers views discovered tiny amounts of radiation due to uranium in various mines located in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. The energy company insists that mining will be safe, but I believe Energy Fuel Inc. needs to better understand uranium mining can harm wildlife habitats and leave environmental damage that will last for years. Uranium mining protests will continue with even more operations violating tribal and environmental safety laws.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency researchers need to observe the operation closely, so no contamination occurs. Not only to monitor but for the company to abide by tribal laws and environmental guidelines to assure compliance. Over time, the company should use an alternate energy source such as solar energy.

One of the benefits of solar energy advocates conservation of water needed for tribal people’s survival. Another benefit urges more dependency off fossil fuels and less on mining operations that lay waste to the land. When science achieves a successful source of energy besides uranium, there will be no need for mining and corrupting environmental life.

Darion Smith
Fort Defiance, Ariz.

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