Bearing Witness to Extractivism, Colonialism: Day 3

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Interfaith Power & Light New Mexico & El Paso and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas are co-sponsoring an immersion retreat through some areas of New Mexico to bear witness to the damage #extractivism has inflicted on the people and the land of our state.  Tbe accounts and pictures come courtesy of Heather Scott-Molleda, senior director of communications for Mercy Sisters of the Americas.   Read Accounts for Days 1 and 2

Day 3: A Visit to Navajo and Pueblo Lands

We began our third day of our pilgrimage reflecting on the harm done to the Native people and the Earth by colonialism. But the Navajo and the Pueblo and other indigenous people have not been erased and continue to struggle to protect their land and traditions despite ongoing attempts to strip the resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3: Laguna Pueblo

We spent our third day at the Laguna Pueblo witnessing the sacred dances for their feast day, where young and old participate in the traditions. We also learned from one of the Laguna leaders about the canes given to them by various colonizers to denote their authority as a sovereign people. There has been a lot for the group to process and reflect on during the pilgrimage.

Bearing Witness to Extractivism, Colonialism: Days 1 & 2

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Interfaith Power & Light New Mexico & El Paso and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas are co-sponsoring an immersion retreat through some areas of New Mexico to bear witness to the damage #extractivism has inflicted on the people and the land of our state.

The retreat starts on Sept. 17 in the northern part of the state, including Los Alamos and the Four Corners. Pilgrims will eventually make their way to the Permian Basin in Southeat New Mexico, concluding on Sept. 23.

Tbe accounts and pictures come courtesy of Heather Scott-Molleda, senior director of communications for Mercy Sisters of the Americas.

Day 1: We Begin a Pilgrimage

We are beginning our pilgrimage through New Mexico to bear witness to the damage #extractivism has done to the people and the land.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2: Los Alamos and Red Water Pond

As we begin the second day of our pilgrimage through the #sacrificezone of #NewMexico we are grateful for the blessings of Pueblo women elders who joined us at Los Alamos, where the nuclear complex is expanding even as people fight to protect the land and water.

 

 

 

 

 

We closed day 2 of our pilgrimage with a visit to Red Water Pond on Navajo land, which in 1979 suffered the biggest spill of radioactive waste in US history. It was one of the biggest in the world, behind Chernobyl and Fukushima. This was land where their sheep grazed and their children played. Community leader Edith Hood told us they are still waiting for that site and contamination from the closed uranium mines to be cleaned up, while Diné people suffer the health consequences. There is a connection between colonialism and #extractivism
We were very fortunate to receive a Navajo blessing for healing of Mother Earth.

Video: Centering Equity in Water Planning

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An informative, interactive discussion regarding water resilience planning to show how we should equitably share water supplies in our hotter and drier future. IPL New Mexico & El Paso was a co-sponsor of this event organized by The Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates

The Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates and other nongovernmental and community organizations believe centering equity in water planning is crucial for New Mexico’s public health and a balanced and secure future. What does centering equity mean in the context of sharing reduced water supplies, across New Mexico and in the Middle Rio Grande? How should regional water scarcity and resilience planning advance public health, and justice, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusiveness. What should the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission forthcoming water planning rules and guidelines say about inclusion of public voices? About equitable access to water to meet human needs and community values?

Panelists include Paula Garcia, Interstate Stream Commissioner and Executive Director of the New Mexico Acequia Association; Jorge Garcia, Executive Director, Center for Social Sustainable Systems. and Marcia Fernandez, a retired teacher who lives on a small South Valley farm, and is a board member of the MRGWA, CESOSS, and South Valley Coalition of Neighborhood Associations.