For a little while now, First Nations' types across the US, from the Arctic to our southernmost part, have seen an uptick in deaths from cancers. It seems to coincide with the increased reliance upon pesticides and herbicides being sprayed to control various vectors and "weeds."
So, what does this have to do with the rise in cancers among First Nations' types?
Well, traditional ways of gathering and preparing materials for basket weaving, for food and for a variety of daily tasks often involves collecting these materials in traditional areas that are now under control of local, state or federal governments. It also means that these traditional "wild areas" are not so while as they once were -- chemical agents are sprayed to control what the governments consider vectors, "weeds," or unwanted plants.
A variety of willows are used for traditional basket weaving. These same willows are considered weeds by the governments that control the land upon which they grow and are heavily sprayed to kill them. Then, the basket weavers go out, collect herbicide covered willow and begin working their materials. I am a little fuzzy on exactly how to prepare willow for basketry, but I do know that most traditional tools include using the teeth and fingers to pry and peel. By the time the weavers know something is wrong, their health has already been adversely affected. It should also be noted that willows love water and usually tend to grow close to waterways . . . so, those herbicides are then spread downstream to other populations.
This is just one example.