Society. Spaces. Screens

Abstract

This proposal examines the impact of uranium mining on the Navajo Reservation, focusing on the long-lasting environmental and health effects on the Red Water Pond Road Community in Church Rock, NM, which has suffered since the 1950s. Although mines are now closed, uranium contamination remains a problem, affecting multiple generations. Efforts to address this issue have often prioritized Western approaches, neglecting the Navajo’s deep cultural connection to the land. Mainstream narratives tend to sensationalize the plight of the Nation, overshadowing their resilience and efforts to combat environmental racism. Conversations with residents and indigenous literature reveal their optimism and resistance. Their collective vision seeks to balance immediate actions with long-term goals, acknowledging the interconnectedness of past, present, and future generations. Since storytelling is central to Navajo culture, this proposal uses a speculative graphic novel, “Once Upon a Mine,” set in 2070, to explore an alternate reality. This narrative reimagines the future to challenge current remediation strategies and offers a new perspective on the past. The novel serves as a tool for envisioning a future that addresses historical injustices and fosters innovative solutions grounded in indigenous knowledge and traditions. By integrating Indigenous viewpoints and techniques, the graphic novel aims to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and inspire Navajo youth to dream of new approaches to remediation. It moves beyond the question of how technology and media have influenced design and architecture, instead using a futuristic lens rooted in ancestral identity to propose alternative solutions.