Session 155 - Panel: Indigenous Perspectives on Risk Assessment (R8.7)

This session 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: Mineral Resources Administrator: TON DNR Mining Office (Laurie Suter, Tohono O'odham Nation Minerals Program (USA)); EPA's Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains Program Overview (Benjamin Simes, US EPA (HQ) (USA)); Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Watershed: Evaluating 'Risk' from the Havasupai Tribal Perspective (Jo Ellen Hinck, U.S. Geological Survey (USA); Carletta Tilousi, Havasupai Tribe (USA)); Subsistence Seafood and Aquatic Biota Consumption Systematic Review and Project Update for the 2023 Fish Forum (Amina Wilkins, US EPA (USA)); Indigenous Perspectives on Risk (Bob Watts, Nuclear Waste Management Organization (Canada))