Narratives of Injustice: An Investigation of Toxic Dumping within the Blackfeet Nation

For over 50 years, the people of Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet) Nation have relayed information “something bad” being covertly dumped within their remaining homelands. These stories, addressing contaminated waste and locations rumored dump sites, also been linked with perceived cancer clusters among residents who live Blackfeet Nation. The concept environmental injustice suggests that often most vulnerable populations, including communities color, experience negative realities toxic exposures, it is not uncommon for wastes to be disposed Native American lands. Given sufffer from some highest rates in state Montana, these narratives warrant further investigation. This research examined whether illicit dumping sovereign lands can substantiated if this a case injustice. investigation employed mix both traditional Indigenous Western-based scientific methodologies, quantitative qualitative. Traditional methodologies included use oral narratives. are then informed Western processes document review geologic, water, radiation surveys. authors found compelling evidence through histories reviews lands; however, cursory water surveys were conclusive. initial inquiry provides foundation needed press