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Statement Of William F. Benson
Environmental Protection Agency
Aging Initiative Public Listening Session
Baltimore, Maryland
May 7, 2003
William F. Benson
National Policy Advisor
National Indian Council on Aging
National Policy Advisor
National Indian Council on Aging
Good afternoon. My name is Bill Benson and I speak to you on behalf of the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) for whom I serve as National Policy Advisor. I also happen to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement or EASI. EASI's CEO, Tom Benjamin, spoke earlier this afternoon. NICOA's Executive Director, David Baldridge, a Cherokee, is also a member of the EASI board of directors. NICOA and EASI share a close relationship.
Indians are impacted by environmental degradation in two ways. As a population, Indians are more susceptible to environmental agents because they suffer from chronic diseases to a larger extent than the general population. Such diseases as diabetes and end-stage renal disease, tuberculosis (which is now drug-resistant), alcoholism, and pneumonia, all exacerbate the ill-effects of environmental pollution. Secondly, as a community, Indian lands have experienced considerable environmental degradation due in part to uranium mining, coal-fired power plants, river dams, and nuclear testing activities on or near Indian lands.
Moreover, the economic circumstances of far too many tribes are such that they are unable to meet the basic safety and sanitation needs related to drinking water and sewage treatment. The statement of congressional findings in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (P.L. 94-437) include, as examples, the following:
- "the provision of safe water supply systems and sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal systems is primarily a health consideration and function;
- "Indian people suffer an inordinately high incidence of disease, injury, and illness directly attributable to the absence or inadequacy of such systems; and
- "Many Indian homes and communities still lack safe water supply systems and sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal systems."
Chronic diseases and environmental degradation are most likely to affect the most vulnerable Indians: children and the elderly.
But it is not all bad news for Indian elders. While they are among the most vulnerable to environmental problems they are also a natural resource among themselves. Just as NICOA's governing board consists of elders elected by other elders, elders on reservations are available and willing to exert their traditional role as voices of wisdom and teachers. With a little help from the federal government, Indian elders can be mobilized and organized to do just what non-Indian elders are doing in local communities with EASI.
A full exposition of the facts needs to be made. A review that brings together known information about diseases and environmental degradation and the impact upon elders needs to be developed.
Indian elders are a wonderful resource to educate their communities especially the young about the importance of a healthy environment. They can also help actively monitor environmental conditions and engage directly in activities to ameliorate poor environmental circumstances.
Tribes and Indian organizations need the leadership and resources of the EPA and other federal agencies to make these possibilities real.
Thank you.