Uranium

- Magnus Isacsson,
- 1990,
- 47 min 59 s

- 11,527 views
- 64 Like
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Synopsis
Point Of View
Education

This documentary looks at the hazards of uranium mining in Canada. Toxic and radioactive waste pose environmental threats while the traditional economic and spiritual lives of the Aboriginal people who occupy this land have been violated. Given our limited knowledge of the associated risks, this film questions the validity of continuing the mining operations.

Douglas Roche

Buffy Sainte-Marie and Rosalie Bertell in the same film? The Native American singer and the scientist nun expose the risks of mining uranium in the Canadian heartland. The nuclear power defenders get their say, but it’s clear that the cost of mining uranium is too high: it’s the same material that is used to produce nuclear weapons. And the nuclear waste is immensely dangerous.

From the playlist : The Strength of Peace

Douglas Roche

Buffy Sainte-Marie et Rosalie Bertell dans un même film? La chanteuse américaine autochtone et la religieuse scientifique exposent les risques de l’extraction de l’uranium au centre du Canada. Les défenseurs de la puissance nucléaire ont voix au chapitre, mais il est clair que l’extraction de l’uranium a un coût trop élevé : on utilise également ce métal pour produire des armes nucléaires. Et les résidus radioactifs sont extrêmement dangereux.

From the playlist : La force de la paix

Grade 9 - 12

Teaching Guides

Guide 1

Educational purpose:

Have students research, discuss, and write about the state of uranium mining in Canada since the film was made (1990). Students can take one of the mining towns mentioned (e.g., Port Radium, Uranium City) and examine how it has fared since then, both industrially and ecologically. Ask students how they feel after this film: what do they think when they see the amount of pollution and damage caused by such a strategic and critical industry?

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Comments

Uranium

Tallspruce

“When a spent uranium rod is submersed in electrolyzed water, it is immediately neutralized. The machinery costs less than $500, & uses rain water and 12V at 20 amps. No storage needed. Bury it back in the mine; It never gives off another radioactive isotope.”

26 Jan 2011
Uranium

birgitta

“"Uranium" is a wonderful film. I would like to show it at an event about nuclear power and uranium mining to be held at the end of August 2010 in Sweden. Is it possible to translate it and text it in Swedish or to have this done? Kind regards Birgitta Hedström, Sweden”

18 Jul 2010