Impacts of Resource Development on American Indian Lands

What is this collection?

This page was written by Erin Klauk as part of the DLESE Community Services Project: Integrating Research in Education.

Navajo uranium miners at Rico mine in 1953. Photo by Ralph Leubben, courtesy of Doug Brugge/Memories Come To Us In the Rain and the Wind.

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This collection contains an assortment of digital resources relevant to exploring American Indian land and resource development by using investigative case studies. We will systematically take an Earth System approach to understand resource development on American Indian lands.

The following case studies have been developed to tell the story of what happened there:

1. Uranium Mining on the Navajo Nation

   Show me topics on the Navajo Nation.
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   Physiography
   Geology
   Hydrology
   Climate and Biota
   Cultural Heritage
   Uranium Deposits
   Exploration and Development History
   Environmental Impacts
   Human Health Impacts
   Policy
   What's Next

2. Gold Mining and the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation

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   Geology and Physiography
   Hydrology
   Climate and Biota
   Cultural Heritage
   Gold Deposits
   Exploration and Development History
   Environmental Impacts
   Human Health Impacts
   Policy
   

3. Coal Bed Methane and the Crow Reservation

   Show me topics on the Crow Nation.
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   Geology and Physiography
   Hydrology
   Climate and Biota
   Cultural Heritage
   Coalbed Methane
   Exploration and Development History
   Environmental and Human Health Impacts
   Policy
   

4. Water Resources and the Nez Perce Indian Reservation

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   Physiography
   Geology
   Hydrology and Water Resources
   Climate and Biota
   Cultural Heritage
   Exploration and Development History
   Environmental Impacts
   Human Health Impacts
   Policy
   

5. Gold Mining and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

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   About the Reservation
   Geology and Physiography of the Black Hills
   Geology and Physiography of the Badlands
   Geology and Physiography of Devil's Tower
   Hydrology
   Climate and Biota
   Cultural Heritage
   Gold Deposits
   Exploration and Development History
   Environmental and Human Health Impacts
   Policy
   

6. Resources of the Pribilof Islands

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   Geology and Physiography
   Beringia
   Hydrology
   Climate
   Flora and Fauna
   Cultural Heritage
   Policy
   

Navajo miners near Cove, Arizona, dump tailings over the side of a mesa in 1952. Photograph by Milton "Jack" Snow. Photo courtesy of Doug Brugge/Memories Come To Us In the Rain and the Wind.

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Who is this information for?

This collection is designed primarily for undergraduate and graduate level instructors and students. Of particular interest is to provide this information in an organized manner for American Indian peoples involved in the geosciences, and interest and recruit American Indian geoscience students.

About this project

Learn more about this project here.

To get started, let's explore the Navajo Nation!

This is a self guided tour through the impacts of resource development on American Indian lands. The first case study will provide you with information on uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. Get started by looking at the recommended Study Guide, or begin with the Geology of the Navajo Nation.