The Ramapough Nation: A Tribe in scientific crisis

摘要

Decades ago, the home to the Ramapough Lenape Turtle Clan was used as a dumping ground for tons of paint sludge and other toxic waste. Despite its Superfund status and extensive clean-ups, health problems including (but, not limited to) excessive incidences of cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma and reproductive outcomes continue to run rampant in this Environmental Justice, Native American community. In response to community leader concerns, NYU COEC partnered with the Clan Chief and Tribal leaders to develop and implement a Concerns and Health Assessment Survey which queried Ramapough Native Americans and non-Native respondents concerning demographics, disease incidence, residence/workplace distance from contaminated sites and Indigenous sovereignty. Results revealed a high incidence of self-reported chronic illnesses in Native Americans compared to non-Natives. Center scientists and epidemiologists translated the findings to hypothesis-driven research to investigate exposure levels and the relationship between proximity to dumping with health outcomes. Chief Mann of the Turtle Clan will speak for the Clan regarding their "toxic legacy" and community-driven scientific research that has served to build capacity among the Tribe.