Session 127 - Panel- Indigenous Perspectives on Risk Assessment

This panel focused on the perspectives of Indigenous societies (e.g., Indian Tribes (US), First Nations (Canada)) related to risk assessment of environmental remediation challenges, including deep geological disposal of HLW and ILW, near-surface disposal of LLW and in-situ entombment of nuclear reactor components, and environmental remediation of abandoned uranium mines and historic wastes. Standard risk assessment assumptions often do not adequately address the cultural and spiritual values that may be unique to indigenous societies. Factoring those into a risk assessment that still meets regulatory requirements and policies such as reasonably anticipated land use at US EPA CERCLA sites can be challenging but has the potential to lead to a site or facility approach that is more accepted. Panelists with presentations: Risk Assessment: Two Indigenous-Centered Approaches (Whitney Fraser, Lodestone Environmental Consulting LLC (USA)); Indigenous Perspectives on Risk Assessment (Michael Chacon, Pueblo de San Ildefonso (USA)); Protecting Tribal Environmental Health: Challenges and Opportunities for Risk Assessments (Susan Hanson, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (USA))