Undergraduate Abstract

Ian Zabarte
December 2000

Pilot Study of Native American Awareness To Nuclear Issues: The Newe of Duckwater

A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction
of the requirement for the degree of

Bachelor of Arts

In

Environmental Studies Program
University of Nevada Las Vegas

by

Ian Zabarte

December 2000

Thesis Adviser: Krystyna Stave
Assistant Professor
Environmental Studies Program
University of Nevada Las Vegas

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to understand how the Native American community at Duckwater views nuclear issues by using a qualitative research interview and interpretation method to obtain an understanding of conversations within the context of community culture to produced intended meaning. Native health is not being given priority as an issue of concern for community action and it should be for Native American communities downwind from the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Understanding the local community life-ways is crucial to identifying past experiences, present concerns, and possible future threats that may affect tribal communities in ways only they experience. Hermeneutical interpretation can provide reliable response interpretation and reporting of meaning from interviews conducted in the lived rich contextual world of tribal community (Kvale 1996). In this study three hypotheses are posed: a) Nuclear issues are not considered by the community; b) There is nothing the community can do about nuclear issues; and, c) Other consequences result if nuclear issues are studied.