No.470 Larson R. Bill and Julie Cavanaugh-Bill, 2009

File — Box: 61, Folder: 5

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Larson Bill (b. 1948) is a Western Shoshone who was born in Ely, Nevada. He discusses his background, upbringing, and general relationship to nuclear issues. Nuclear issues are something that have always been in the background of his life because of how they had affected Western Shoshone People. He discusses how the nuclear testing and nuclear waste controversies have come up in relation to his roles in tribal government and in the Western Shoshone Defense Project. Larson discusses various aspects of the controversies over nuclear waste and nuclear testing on Western Shoshone land including the disproportionate affects on indigenous populations, who is responsible for nuclear waste, and how perceptions of the desert contribute to the placement of nuclear testing and nuclear waste in Nevada. He concludes by contrasting Western Shoshone spiritual beliefs with other religious beliefs, noting the uniqueness of land-based spirituality among Native Americans. Julie Cavanaugh-Bill (b. 1967) describes her Iowa background, role models, her to be involvement with Native American and nuclear issues. She talks about her interest in human rights, her education, and her experience as a lawyer before moving to Nevada to work full-time with the Western Shoshone Defense Project, which led her to act as a spokeswoman on nuclear issues at times.
Nuclear Technology Project.
Interviewer: Samantha Senda-Cook

Dates

2009

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.