Lori Goodman is a Native American environmentalist from

Dilkon, Arizona Dilkon () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,184 at the 2010 census. The name of the town is said to be derived from the Navajo phrase "Smooth black rock" or "Bare surface.” Go ...

. Goodman was one the founding members of

Diné CARE Diné CARE is a Diné (Navajo) activist organization that works on environmental, cultural and social justice campaigns, primarily within the Navajo Nation and the immediately surrounding areas, its main office being in Dilkon, Arizona, Dilkon, AZ. ...

(

Diné The Navajo or Diné are an Native Americans in the United States, Indigenous people of the Southwestern United States. Their traditional language is Navajo language, Diné bizaad, a Southern Athabascan language. The states with the largest Din ...

Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment) that was founded in 1989 and is currently retired as an executive director.

Environmental Activism

Lori Goodman first started her career on the

Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation (), also known as Navajoland, is an Indian reservation of Navajo people in the United States. It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. The seat of government is located in ...

in efforts against the a proposal from Waste-Tech Services, that called for a $40 million recycling plant on the

Navajo reservation The Navajo Nation (), also known as Navajoland, is an Indian reservation of Navajo people in the United States. It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. The seat of government is located in ...

near the Dilkon community. It promised the community "$200,000 a year, with an additional $600,000 a year to be paid...in rent and lease funds." However, it was later found out that the "recycling plant" was instead planned to be a toxic waste incinerator. In 1989, Goodman was a stay-at-home mom when she received a phone call form her sister learning of the proposal. Later her family friends became involved, including her brother Al. CARE was what Diné CARE was first called before becoming officially Diné CARE. It was also during this time that the spark for the future

Indigenous Environmental Network The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) is a coalition of indigenous, grassroots environmental justice activists, primarily based in the United States. Group members have represented Native American concerns at international events such as t ...

would later come to be, from the kitchen of Lori Goodman's home. After the victory of Dilkon community against Waste-Tech's proposal, Goodman became a leader in Diné CARE. She acted as an administrator, spokeswoman, treasurer, secretary, and executive director. She taught her family and community how to rid of toxic substances from their households. She also educated Navajo people about proposals, gathered statements, contacted government agencies, acted as a

liaison Liaison or Liaisons may refer to: General usage * Affair, an unfaithful sexual relationship * Collaboration * Co-operation * Liaison, an egg-based thickening used in cooking Arts and entertainment * Liaisons (''Desperate Housewives''), a 2007 ...

with the tribal government, and using her own funds to support Diné CARE. She used her own home as an office for Diné CARE. Between 2003 and 2011, Goodman and Diné CARE took part in actions against the proposal and building of the Desert Rock Power Plant. Goodman acted as a spokeswoman and participated in protests against the proposal. In 2009, the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it began operation on De ...

revoked the Final Air Quality Permit for the Desert Rock Power Plant from . TRUCKS HAUL COAL FROM THE NAVAJO MINE TO THE FOUR CORNERS GENERATING PLANT - NARA - 544169

TRUCKS HAUL COAL FROM THE NAVAJO MINE TO THE FOUR CORNERS GENERATING PLANT - NARA - 544169

During 2013, on the Navajo Nation the decision by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company to purchase Navajo Mine for continuation of coal mining till 2031. Lori Goodman spoke out against the mining; she was concerned about the environmental impacts the mine site and neighboring Four Corners Power Plant could have. However, despite Goodman and Dine CARE's efforts, the Navajo Mine was promoted for operation. {{Cite news , last=Bitsoi , first=Alastair Lee , date=October 18, 2013 , title=Council passes $4.1 million to acquire Navajo Mine , url=https://navajotimes.com/news/2013/1013/101813mine.php , work=Navajo Times

References

Wikipedia Student Program People from Arizona Navajo people