Abstract

J. Burger "Indigenous Peoples in the Nuclear Age"

Indigenous peoples have been the victims of the nuclear age. They were and continue to be victims of the testing of nuclear weapons that began in the 1940s. Much of the world’s uranium is mined on indigenous peoples’ traditional lands leading to forced displacement, long-term health impacts and damage to the environment. It is easy to understand why many indigenous peoples call for uranium, like oil, to be left in the ground. The presentation will recall the impacts of nuclear testing and uranium mining on indigenous peoples, consider current issues for indigenous peoples at a time when uranium mining is increasing and there appears to be renewed investment in nuclear weapons, and ask how the rights now universally established for indigenous peoples can be used to hold back and reverse these trends.