Tribal leaders, Elders, and spiritual leaders were joined by hundreds of environmental activists during the occupation and direct action and vowed to peacefully resist any attempt by the police to forcefully remove them. Fearing negative publicity and a backlash, federal officials were wary of sending in the police to arrest Indian Elders participating in the occupation and ongoing spiritual ceremonies at the site. The five Native Nations have inhabited this area in the beautiful Mojave Desert along the lower Colorado River for thousands of years. The creation stories of these Indigenous peoples tell them they were placed along the Colorado River as protectors of the River, and they take their history as a life or death matter. Ward Valley itself has profound sacred significance.
Ward Valley is critical habitat for the endangered desert tortoise.
The construction of a nuclear waste dump on their sacred land would constitute an act of genocide, and they have denounced the project as environmental racism and injustice. The people make history The long and difficult occupation at Ward Valley was truly an historic event. Against all odds and facing the armed federal agents, a coalition of Indian Nations and environmental and social justice supporters stayed united to win the goals of the occupation. The fight against the dump is historic not only because of this big strategic victory, but also because it brings together five Native Nations with a diverse coalition of environmental, social justice, religious and political organizations. It is historic and significant because of the strong direct action and defiance of federal orders and threats of well-armed police.