5/24/2012 Statement of Rolanda Tohannie, Box Springs, Navajo Nation to Mr. James Anaya, OHCHR for THE OFFICIAL RECORD

Statement of Rolanda TohannieMember, Forgotten People

Rolanda Tohannie25137 North Wuptaki Loop, Unit 26

Flagstaff, AZ 86004-8637(928) 286-7205

Via Email to: Indigenous OHCHR <indigenous@ohchr.org>

Copy: Ms. Maia Campbell <mcampbell@ohchr.org> and Ms. Carrie Stusse <cms1@email.arizona.edu>

Dated: May 24, 2012

Attention: Mr. James Anaya, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for THE OFFICIAL RECORD

Subject: Living in the former Bennett Freeze & drinking uranium and arsenic contaminated water in Box Springs (Navajo Nation), AZ I live in Box Springs without running water and electricity in the southern portion of a 43-year US government imposed Bennett Freeze that was lifted by President Obama in May, 2009 without funding or a plan for rehabilitation. In January 15, 2010, the Navajo Nation issued a historic Declaration of Public Health

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5/24/2012 Statement of Rolanda Tohannie, Box Springs, Navajo Nation to Mr. James Anaya, OHCHR for THE OFFICIAL RECORD

Emergency in our area due to the number of cancer cases of people like me who were drinking contaminated water from livestock watering points without knowing the water was unsafe to drink.

My family continued hauling contaminated water from Box Springs even after we found out the water was contaminated because we had no choice without a vehicle to haul water over great distances. Thanks to the efforts of Forgotten People and faith based groups, a US Environmental Protection Agency water hauling truck has started delivering safe drinking water to water haulers at a delivery point every 2 weeks. Even though this delivery point is 5 miles from my home and the Navajo Nation gave me a 4,000 gallon tank with the promise of water delivery, because there was no dirt road improvement during the Bennett Freeze, the Navajo Nation does not want to damage their truck delivering water to me.

It makes me feel helpless as a thinking human being to tell you I am still drinking contaminated water even though I have been educated at meetings of Forgotten People about the dangers of drinking contaminated water. I am telling you this because I am concerned about the consequences of subjecting my family and all the families still drinking contaminated water because we have no other choice.

My health is gone and my body is worthless, it is no good to me anymore. I am a victim of thyroid and esophagus cancer. Recently, when I was sitting at the table after we finished supper, and part of my teeth fell out. I used to have thick hair, and there's just a little bit on my head now. It's like every time I comb it, I take out gobs of hair.

I had 11 operations in the last year including an operation for cancer they found on my tonsils.  I had a tumor growing on the side of my neck right under my ear on the right side. They took that out. When they took that tumor out, they had to cut some nerves and half my face is kind of like sagging and my speech isn't there. One of my eyes isn't winking. They said it will come back, but I don't know. I need lights to see at night.

My son Thomas had some tumors on his leg and on his chest, too. My daughter Lynette has some cysts on her legs but they told her it might be around some nerves, so she just lives with it. Thomas , my husband Larry and I need a refrigerator so we can store our medications in a cool place and we are forced to keep them outside.  I also need power to operate a fibrillator at night and I am so worried about Thomas and Larry not being able to breathe. They have very bad cases of sleep apnea and I hope I do not find them deceased in their sleep but I am denied solar by Leupp Chapter in retaliation for speaking up about the contaminated water.

I appreciate Forgotten People and the federal and tribal agencies help but we need protection under international law, the declaration and your emergency intervention so my people living in Box Springs, Black Falls, Grand Falls and Black Mesa in the former Bennett Freeze and Hopi Partition Land get emergency intervention and do not have to drink contaminated water. I appreciate your dedication to helping us.

Thank you,

Rolanda Tohannie

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