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Check out our website! We now have a donation page! PLEASE consider donating or spreading the word, THANKS!
http://dontmineme.weebly.com/donate.html
The Film
Don't Mine Me is a documentary about the history of uranium mining on the Navajo Indian Reservation in the Southwest United States.
At the end of WWII, the United States encouraged uranium mining production. Several large uranium deposits were found on the Navajo Reservation and many Navajo men were employed to work these mines. Disregarding the known health risks resulting from exposure to uranium, the United States failed to inform the Navajo workers about the dangers and to regulate the mining to minimize contamination. Several mine workers and families on the reservation have suffered with numerous amounts of health problems, some even fatal, from environmental contamination. For decades the government failed to improve conditions and to inform workers of the dangers.
The effects of uranium mining still exist on the Navajo reservation today and still haunt hundreds of Navajos a year. The health and environmental risks are extremely severe, not only contaminating the men who work in the mines, but numerous Navajo's in the surrounding areas as well through contaminated groundwater. Approximately 15,000 people on the Navajo reservation live without running water and rely on this groundwater from the wells for everyday life. Although people are finally starting to recognize the severity of the situation, it is still a matter of questioning the humanity of the United States Government and their blatant disregard for an entire group of people.
Our Story
My name is Ellen Downing. I am the director and producer of Don't Mine Me. I am currently in film school in Nashville, TN, and am working towards becoming a documentary filmmaker.
I grew up in Georgia, USA, but moved to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona with my family when I was 11. I attended school there and still visit often.
I have always been interested in environmental and social justice issues. I first learned about uranium mining on the Navajo reservation when I was at Power Shift 2009 (
http://www.wearepowershift.org/) in Washington D.C. I have since learned more about it from living on the reservation and doing my own research not only about the history but the present day situation as well.
The Impact
This documentary is meant to bring attention to the subject of uranium mining on the Navajo Reservation and to hopefully bring awareness to the United States Government of how big an issue this has become. The Navajo people have had to suffer with this misfortune for more than 40 years, and it's time for them to have a word with the rest of the world.
Having clean drinking water is an essential part of life. A basic human right.
Imagine not having running water in your home. Having to retrieve your water supply and that water being contaminated. That water harming you and your family and thinking there is nothing you can do about it.
There is something we can do about it. Let's not let there be any place in the United States where basic human rights aren't provided. This film is a voice for those people.
What We Need & What You Get
Even just $1 helps!!
My crew and I will be flying to Arizona in late February. It will be a 3 man crew, or woman rather, since we are all girls! An all female crew in the film industry is a rarity, so you're working with a minority here folks!
The money we raise from this campaign will fund our traveling expenses, equipment rental, location release fees and distribution expenses.
If we don't meet our goal of $10000, we will have to make do with a 2 man crew and we won't be able to rent all of the equipment necessary for the film. We want this film to be extraordinary! Please help us reach our goal!
Make sure to check out what perks you get for donating! We want to give something back to all of you for helping us out!
Any extra money we receive through this campaign will go to improve the production quality of this film and to film distribution expenses. A bigger budget means a better movie!
Other Ways You Can Help
There are tons of ways you can help even if you can't donate money!
Comment on this page and "like" it on facebook to increase its visibility!
Please post my indiegogo campaign link to all of your social networks! Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc...post it on all of them! (There's even an easy 'share' button on my campaign page!) We also have a website you can promote and keep up with!
Understand more about uranium mining and the Navajo people! There are tons of resources to learn more about this topic: libraries, organizations, researchers, etc. Once you learn about it, educate others!
And of course, watch the film when it's completed! I'll keep my youtube page (
http://www.youtube.com/user/goodnightlittleArlo...) updated as much as I can once the documentary gets going, with teasers and trailers so you'll know when and where to look for it!
